Doctoral students in Computer Science

Ref no: ORU 2.1.1-06944/2021

Örebro University is offering 4 PhD positions in Computer Science with a focus on either Machine Learning, Machine Reasoning, or an integration of both. The PhD student will be affiliated with the research Centre for Applied Autonomous Sensor Systems (AASS, http://www.oru.se/aass ), which carries out multi-disciplinary research at the intersection of robotics, machine learning, artificial intelligence, computer vision and measurement technology.

The start date for the positions is during the Spring of 2022.

Research at Örebro University is strongly focused on developing autonomous systems that can collaborate with humans. We study methods for interpreting sensor data, transforming sensor data into symbolic representations, integrating symbolic and sub-symbolic methods, knowledge representation and awareness of humans, social context, and norms for interaction. Various aspects of AI related to human-machine and human-robot interaction have been studied, including novel ways to develop AI systems that interact with users (including non-technical novice users). Nationally, the research in AI and Robotics at Örebro is leading, and this is evidenced by the University’s involvement in a number of high profile initiatives related to AI (see oru.se/ai ).  Örebro University is highly active in the relevant European forums and platforms, including the AI4EU and AIPlan4EU platforms, and several EU-funded research projects.

The positions will investigate how to develop systems that can both learn and reason in an artificial intelligence (AI) and autonomous systems context. While there has been a lot of progress on both machine learning and machine reasoning, their integration remains a key open challenge in artificial intelligence and autonomous systems. The distinction between learning and reasoning is related to the differences between fast and slow thinking, between data-driven and knowledge-based approaches, and between symbolic versus sub-symbolic representations. The projects will build upon integration of (neural-based) learning and symbolic reasoning. The goal is to develop approaches based on such integration and apply them to autonomous sensor systems.

Some of the positions will be part of the Wallenberg AI, Autonomous Systems and Software Program (WASP), Sweden's largest ever individual research program, and a major national initiative for strategic basic research, education and faculty recruitment. The vision of WASP is excellent research and competence in artificial intelligence, autonomous systems and software for the benefit of Swedish industry. For more information about the research and other activities conducted within WASP please visit: http://wasp-sweden.org/ . In this case, the PhD students will belong to the graduate school within WASP, which is dedicated to provide the skills needed to analyze, develop, and contribute to the interdisciplinary area of AI, autonomous systems, and software. The curriculum provides the foundations, perspectives, and state-of-the-art knowledge in the different disciplines taught by leading researchers in the field. Through an ambitious program with research visits, partner universities, and visiting lecturers, the graduate school actively supports forming a strong multi-disciplinary and international professional network between PhD-students, researchers and industry. For more information on the graduate program within WASP, read more at https://wasp-sweden.org/graduate-school/ . One position is funded by the Swedish National Research Council.

The doctoral programme consists of courses and an independent research project that you will present in a doctoral thesis. The programme concludes with a doctoral degree and comprises 240 credits, which corresponds to four years of full-time study.

Our ambition is for your doctoral studies to be stimulating and purposeful throughout the programme until you have obtained your doctoral degree. A thorough introduction will therefore get you off to a good start and provide a solid foundation on which you can build your studies. As a doctoral student at Örebro University, you will be offered a specially tailored seminar series, covering matters ranging from doctoral programme rules and careers to support during the study period and networking.

The place on the programme is linked to a full-time doctoral studentship for the duration of the study programme. More information on doctoral studentships, part-time studies and part-time doctoral studentships can be found in the Regulations Handbook . The initial salary for a doctoral studentship is SEK 28 100 a month.

The doctoral studentship is a tailored form of employment for students enrolled on a doctoral programme. It guarantees employment for the duration of the doctoral programme (given that the studies progress).

For admission to doctoral studies, applicants are required to meet both general entry requirements and specific entry requirements. In addition, applicants must be considered in other respects to have the ability required to benefit from the programme. For a full account of the entry requirements, refer to the admissions regulations as well as to annex 2 to the general syllabus for computer science.

Applicants meet the specific entry requirements for research studies in computer science if they have been awarded a Degree of Master of Science in Engineering or a one-year Master’s degree from a programme within the subject field or related subjects, or if he or she has received a passing grade of at least 120 credits, including an independent project of at least 15 credits, in a field of study of relevance to computer science. At least 30 credits of the total 120 should have been acquired within the second cycle (advanced level). A person who has acquired substantially corresponding knowledge, in Sweden or abroad, also meets the specific entry requirements.

The successful candidate should show strong and independent problem solving and critical analytical abilities. Fluent spoken and written command of English is essential, while knowledge of Swedish is not necessary.

For more information on the PhD projects, please contact Prof. Amy Loutfi ([email protected] ) or Dr. Marjan Alirezaie ([email protected] .). For more information about the program and research environment contact Prof. Lars Karlsson ([email protected] , Head of Unit) or Prof. Franziska Klügl ([email protected] , Head of Subject)

Örebro University actively pursues equal opportunities and gender equality as well as a work environment characterized by openness, trust and respect. We value the qualities that diversity adds to our operations.

The application is made online. Click the button “Apply” to begin the application procedure.

For the application to be complete, the following electronic documents must be included:

• The form: Application form for admission to research studies
• Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• Certificate on completed higher education courses and study programmes, and if applicable a degree certificate
• Degree project/independent project
• Copies of relevant course/degree certificates and references verifying eligibility and criteria met
• Description of research interests – detailing the field of research you are interested in, including, if applicable, theoretical and methodological approaches (1-2 pages).

As a main rule, application documents and attachments are to be written in Swedish, Danish, Norwegian, or English. Certificates and documents in other languages verifying your qualifications and experience must be translated by an authorised translator to Swedish or English. A list of authorised translators can be obtained from Kammarkollegiet (the Legal, Financial and Administrative Services Agency), www.kammarkollegiet.se/engelska/start .

When you apply for admission, you automatically also apply for a doctoral studentship. More information for applicants will be found at out career site:  https://www.oru.se/english/working-at-orebro-university/jobs-and-vacancies/applicants-and-external-experts/  

The application deadline is 2022-02-14. We look forward to receiving your application!

We decline any contact with advertisers or recruitment agencies in the recruitment process.