Call for a PhD Student - Ref. "crAI 64 Feb2024"

28 Feb 2024
Job Information

Organisation/Company

Champalimaud Foundation

Research Field

Computer science » Other
Engineering » Other
Ethics in health sciences » Other
Medical sciences » Other
Neurosciences » Other
Technology » Other

Researcher Profile

First Stage Researcher (R1)

Country

Portugal

Application Deadline

13 Mar 2024 - 17:00 (Europe/Lisbon)

Type of Contract

Other

Job Status

Full-time

Hours Per Week

40

Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?

European Union / Next Generation EU

Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?

No

Offer Description

A Call for one fellowship for a PhD Student is open at Fundação D. Anna de Sommer Champalimaud e Dr. Carlos Montez Champalimaud (Champalimaud Foundation) in the context of the project entitled “NextGenAI: Center for Responsible AI”, with reference “PRR” - from the call Nº “crAI 64”, funded by the “Agendas Mobilizadoras para a Inovação Empresarial, Plano de Recuperação e Resiliência, Next Generation EU, IAPMEI”. We are a group of neuroscientists and machine learning experts at the Champalimaud Foundation with scientific partners covering a broad range of domain expertises

The selected candidate will:

The identification of hidden mental states, including emotional and cognitive states, through observable expressions or physiological activity, is crucial. However, scientific understanding of these phenomena are limited. These latent states are thought to provide insight into a person's future behavior, such as what they will say next. At the same time, Large Language Models (LLMs) have become one of the most exciting frontiers of technological advancement. They provide unprecedented capabilities as tools for everyday language generation tasks. Nevertheless, many unresolved issues must be addressed quickly. For instance, how can we align these generative models with the correct human contexts and objectives to provide maximum benefits to individuals and society? Can we understand the decision-making processes of these complex models to develop more interpretable and explainable human-centered systems? Can they interact with humans in a more positive and fair way such that they remain accessible to non-experts?

We believe that answering these questions will entail the careful identification and interpretation of latent states through advanced methodologies utilizing multi-modal data. You can contribute to this endeavor with us.

Aims of Thesis Project

To uncover stable representations within fluctuating neural activity by determining when stimulus representations can be decoded uniformly, despite neural activity changes. Using AI technology to extract invariant manifolds from working memory tasks.

Explaining the common manifold and dynamics across multiple datasets and modalities using machine learning techniques. The goal is to identify dynamical features that are generalizable and can be re-used for efficient prediction.

Transfer learning invariant dynamics from a large independent training set to a new subject or experiment. Test few shot learning performance and bias of the system.

 

Methods

General:Machine Learning (Variational inference, Meta-learning, Transfer-learning), Signal Processing, Interpretability in ML

Specific:probabilistic models of learning and decision-making,  control theory and/or adaptive signal processing

Tools

Python, PyTorch, Scientific Python Stack (Numpy, Pandas, Sci-kit Learn), Data Version Control (DVC), Git, Matplotlib or Other Python-based Visualization tools, ChatGPT, Unity,  Matlab

Data Modalities

Spike trains, high-dimensional time series

 

Application start date: February 28, 2024

Application closing date: March 13, 2024

Expected position starting date: Immediately 

Required Education Level: Undergraduate degree; the candidate must be enrolled in a PhD Programme in an University that can provide the degree, at the time of the beginning of the fellowship

Requirements

Research Field

Mathematics » Other

Education Level

Undergraduate

Research Field

Computer science » Other

Education Level

Undergraduate

Research Field

Economics » Other

Education Level

Undergraduate

Research Field

Physics » Other

Education Level

Undergraduate

Skills/Qualifications

Minimum qualifications: 

Familiarity with some methods, tools, and data modalities from above with measurable experience in key areas (depending on thesis focus).

Strong coding skills

A trained scientific mindset

Ability to read and present the latest machine learning, human psychology, or human-computer interaction research to a group of experts.

Experimental and task design (depending on thesis focus).

Solid experience with data analysis

Languages

ENGLISH

Level

Excellent

Additional Information
Benefits

Full immersion into a research excellence ecosystem with highly motivated researchers, supported by state-of-the-art technology and continuous development opportunities. The monthly remuneration will start at 1600€ per month. The fellowship will be paid monthly by bank transfer. 

Maximum allowable duration:

The Fellowship will have a duration of 1 year, with the possibility of renewal never surpassing the termination date of the project, expected at 31/12/2025. 

Eligibility criteria

National, Foreign or Stateless candidate(s) who hold an Undergraduate degree in mathematics, physics, neuroscience, computer science, economics, biomedical engineering, or other similar quantitative field with extensive programming experience.

Selection process

   Candidates will be screened to determine eligibility based on minimum qualifications listed in call. Candidates meeting minimum requirements will be scored according to the required application materials:  CV 70% weighting, motivation letter 30%. If shortlisted, a data science challenge will be sent and candidates will be interviewed in order to assess basic technical (ML/Stats/CS) knowledge

    If provided, and if shortlisted, candidates’ referees may be contacted and may count towards evaluation. 

Evaluation Committee members: it will consist of 3 members from the following list: Joe Paton, Daniel McNamee, Eric Lacosse, Memming Park. 

Application materials:

CV and letter of motivation indicating 2 references (one single pdf document). 

Proof of qualifications (certificates) may be required at a later date for the formalization of the contract agreement. Degrees obtained abroad may need to be formally recognized in Portugal. 

How to apply:

Candidates must complete the standard application form and submit a single annexed PDF document containing the application materials stated in the call. 

The call reference will be asked and not having may invalidate your submission. This call reference is: crAI 64 Feb2024.

Applications are also accepted in paper, sent or handed to the Fellows Support Office at the Champalimaud Centre for the Unknown, Avenida Brasília, 1400-038 Lisbon, Portugal.

Notification of results

All candidates will receive a receipt of acknowledgment within 7-10 business days.The highest scoring candidate will be notified by email or telephone. All other candidates will be notified solely by email of the final outcome of the recruitment process.

After being notified, candidates will have 10 working days to present a claim for redress by email ([email protected] ). If no claim is received by the Champalimaud Foundation, the Evaluation Committee's decision will become definitive.

Additional comments

About Us

Research is at the heart of the Champalimaud Centre for the Unknown, a modern research and clinical facility situated on the waterfront in Lisbon, Portugal. The goal of Champalimaud Research (CR) is to perform world-leading fundamental and translational research. Current research work is focused on the fields of neuroscience, physiology and cancer.  Champalimaud Research comprises a team of over 400 scientists from around the world. English is the official language of the Centre. Lisbon’s sunny Atlantic Mediterranean climate, vibrant culture and high quality of life make this a great place to live and work.

Relevant Institutional Information

In line with our community guidelines and Equality, Diversity and Inclusion policy and Gender Equality Plan, no candidate may be privileged, favored, prejudiced or deprived of any right or excluded from any duty on the basis of age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race/ethnicity, disability, chronic illness, language, nationality, territory of origin, family status (marital, pregnancy and maternity, having or not having dependents), socioeconomic situation, education, religion, political or ideological beliefs,  trade union membership, or on any other grounds which are irrelevant to decision-making.

HR Excellence in Research

Legal Notices

The present call has the sole purpose of filling the indicated research position. This call may be canceled at any time on or before the jury’s evaluation of all eligible candidates and the recruitment process shall be concluded on the day of the full execution of the contract between the Champalimaud Foundation and the selected candidate.

Website for additional job details

https://www.fchampalimaud.org/open-positions

Work Location(s)

Number of offers available

1

Company/Institute

Champalimaud Foundation

Country

Portugal

Geofield

Where to apply

Website

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSduUoROdJIf0Bp0hGgOz7UN1zTxgQ2TFJheTBD…

Contact

City

Lisboa

Website

https://fchampalimaud.org/champalimaud-research

Street

Champalimaud Centre for the Unknown

Postal Code

1400-038

STATUS: EXPIRED