PhD position on probabilistic programming for Bayesian machine learning

Department(s)

Electrical Engineering

Reference number

V36.5134

This 4-year PhD position is embedded in the Signal Processing Systems group of the Electrical Engineering department of Eindhoven University of Technology, the Netherlands. The position is part of an ongoing research program to develop intelligent agents by probabilistic (i.e., Bayesian) machine learning methods. Typical applications for these agents include in-situ control of extended reality algorithms, self-driving vehicles and adaptive robotics. A core aspect of the research program focuses on automating probabilistic inference agents through message passing algorithms on graphical dynamic models. In the computer science literature, this style of programming is called Probabilistic Programming (PP). In our team, we develop an efficient PP toolbox (in Julia: http://julialang.org ) to support real-time and online simulation of these Bayesian agents in IoT and wearable devices. 

This PhD project is aimed at further development of both the theory and practice of probabilistic programming methods for message passing-based inference in graphs. Key areas of interest include Bayesian machine learning, functional and reactive programming, probabilistic graphical networks and automatic differentiation. The position is very suited for a strong software developer with a serious interest in learning about modern developments in Bayesian machine learning and probabilistic programming. 

In case this recruitment ad sparks your interest, please watch the following presentation (Beyond Deep Learning: Natural AI Systems) to learn more about our lab’s research goals: https://youtu.be/QYbcm6G_wsk . Please also browse our web page http://biaslab.org for more information on our research lab.

• You should have a Master's degree in computer science, physics, math or electrical engineering, or similar with excellent grades.

• You will develop open source code for simulating machine learning experiments, so we put a high value on candidates with a strong professional record and interest in developing code. Please supply some evidence for your programming record, e.g., a link to your github page.

• In order to complete a PhD, it will be essential to have a good written and spoken command of English. If you have written a MSc thesis (or published a scientific paper) in English, please send it along with your application or provide links.

• Finally, we appreciate a team player attitude, willingness to work hard and know how to have fun at it.

• A meaningful job in a dynamic and ambitious university with the possibility to present your work at international conferences.
• A full-time employment for four years, with an intermediate evaluation (go/no-go) after nine months.
• To develop your teaching skills, you will spend 10% of your employment on teaching tasks.
• To support you during your PhD and to prepare you for the rest of your career, you will make a Training and Supervision plan and you will have free access to a personal development program for PhD students (PROOF program ).
• A gross monthly salary and benefits (such as a pension scheme, pregnancy and maternity leave, partially paid parental leave) in accordance with the Collective Labor Agreement for Dutch Universities.
• Additionally, an annual holiday allowance of 8% of the yearly salary, plus a year-end allowance of 8.3% of the annual salary.
• Should you come from abroad and comply with certain conditions, you can make use of the so-called ‘30% facility’, which permits you not to pay tax on 30% of your salary.
• A broad package of fringe benefits, including an excellent technical infrastructure, moving expenses, and savings schemes.
• Family-friendly initiatives are in place, such as an international spouse program, and excellent on-campus children day care and sports facilities.

More information

Do you recognize yourself in this profile and would you like to know more? Please contact
prof.dr.ir. Bert de Vries, bert.de.vries[at]tue.nl, web http://biaslab.org  

For information about terms of employment, click here or contact HRServices.flux[at]tue.nl

Please visit www.tue.nl/jobs to find out more about working at TU/e!

Application

We invite you to submit a complete application by using the 'apply now'-button on this page.
The application should include a:

• a cover letter explaining your motivation and suitability for the position
• a detailed Curriculum Vitae
• a written scientific report in English (MSc thesis, traineeship report or scientific paper);
  Or provide a URL link to this document.
• copies of diplomas with course grades (transcripts).
• evidence for your code development record

We look forward to your application and will screen it as soon as we have received it.
Screening will continue until the position has been filled.

We do not respond to applications that are sent to us in a different way.

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