PhD position in AI / Deep Learning: Sparse Training and Autonomous Driving

Functieomschrijving

The main goal of this PhD project is to develop theoretical and practical aspects of sparse training of neural networks (see e.g. https://numenta.com/blog/2020/10/30/case-for-sparsity-in-neural-networks-part-2-dynamic-sparsity for a gentle introduction and example of our part work here https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-018-04316-3).

The PhD candidate is expected to contribute to:  

• developing novel sparse-to-sparse training algorithms
• achieving theoretical understanding of dynamic sparsity in neural networks
• studying both cloud computing and low-resource device settings
• translating research findings into the application domain of autonomous driving

The successful candidate will be supervised by Dr. Decebal Constatin Mocanu and Prof. Dr. Mykola Pechenizkiy. The PhD candidate will be embedded in the Data Mining group, TU  Eindhoven and the AMADeuS (Artificially Intelligent Multi-Vehicle Automated Driving Systems) project.

The position facilitates both independent work and ample collaboration opportunities within the Data Mining group and colleagues at the University of Twente, TU Delft, TNO, Dynniq, Rijkswaterstaat, and Ford.

Functie-eisen

The ideal candidate we are looking for has:

• MSc degree (or about to obtain one soon) in Machine learning / AI, Computer Science, Mathematics or other related fields
• Scientific curiosity
• Ambition to conduct outstanding research and publish it in high-quality AI conferences and journals
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills
• Excellent coding skills (or the willingness and capacity to learn)
• Independent thinking and self-responsibility
• The ability and openness to collaborate and work in teams
• Proficiency in English (written and spoken)

Arbeidsvoorwaarden

Being a PhD student in the Netherlands

In the Netherlands, every PhD student gets paid a salary; no additional grants are needed. Hence, PhD students are more like employees than like students. The Dutch word for PhD student translates to "research trainee". The work of a PhD student may include assisting with educational activities. This amounts to around 10% of the time; the remaining time is spent on research and research-related activities. Foreign PhD students don’t need to speak Dutch: it is easy to get by with English, not only at the university but also in everyday life.

Gross salary ranges from € 2.395 per month in the first year increasing up to € 3.061 in the fourth year. The TU Eindhoven offers a broad package of fringe benefits (e.g., excellent technical infrastructure, child daycare and excellent sports facilities). The starting date is flexible.

Informatie en sollicitatie

For informal inquiries about this position, please contact Dr. Decebal Constantin Mocanu, (d.c.mocanu[at]utwente.nl) or prof.dr. Mykola Pechenizkiy (m.pechenizkiy[at]tue.nl)

Please apply by using the 'Apply for this job' button on top of this page. The first cut off date for applying to this position is 31 January 2021. All applications received before this date will receive a full consideration. After the preliminary deadline, the vacancy will remain open until the position gets filled.

Besides personal and contact information, you should upload the following PDF documents:

• Letter of motivation (maximum 2 pages);
• CV, including relevant course work, research and work experience (if available);
• At least one sample of academic writing, e.g. MSc thesis, research internship report, an academic publication etc;
• BSc and MSc transcripts;
• Contact details (or recommendation letters) from 2 references. Only the referees of the short-listed candidates will be contacted.

You can upload all the required documents in max. five pdf's (max. 10 Mb).