The Faculty of Science and Technology at the Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU) has a vacant PhD–position related to machine learning in Zero-Shot Learning (ZSL). The PhD position is for a period of 3 years, or up to 4 years if teaching and other work duties are agreed.

Zero-Shot Learning (ZSL) is a revolutionary approach to building machine learning models that recognize classes/labels not involved in the training data using only the classes’ descriptions.

The project aims to propose ZSL models applied to real-world challenges such as smart environments and renewable energy systems. The primary research theme is to bridge the semantic gap between multimodal raw data descriptions and their semantic meaning.

In addition, the project considers the concerns of zero-shot learning related to domain shift and high-dimensional data. In order to evaluate the performance of the proposed ZSL models, a real-world scenario based on multimodal datasets will be chosen as a testbed. Thus, we need a candidate who designs, builds, and tests deep learning/machine learning models for Zero Shot Learning.

An application for a PhD position at NMBU is at the same time an application for admission to a PhD programme at the institution. The documentation that is necessary to ensure that the admission requirements are met must be uploaded as an attachment.

Main tasks

• Develop machine learning/deep learning and neural symbolic
• models for Zero- Shot Learning
• Take part in the mandatory PhD research education program
• Conduct independent research and publish in recognized scientific journals and conference proceedings

The project may require additional knowledge on multimodal data processing and logic-based reasoning.

The successful candidate is expected to enter a plan for the progress of the work towards a PhD degree during the first months of the appointment, with a view to completing a doctorate within the PhD scholarship period.

Competence

The successful applicant must meet the conditions defined for admission to a PhD programme at NMBU. The applicant must have an academically relevant education corresponding to a five-year master’s degree or a cand.med.vet. degree, with a learning outcome corresponding to the descriptions in the Norwegian Qualification Framework, second cycle. Candidates submitting MSs thesis within 30. June 2022 may be considered.

The applicant must have a documented strong academic background from previous studies and be able to document proficiency in both written and oral English. For more detailed information on the admission criteria please see the PhD Regulations and the relevant PhD programme description.

The applicant must document expertise and interest in the research subject.

Required Academic qualifications, MSc degree in one of the following disciplines or similar:

• Computer Science
• Data Science
• Applied Mathematics

Required qualifications:

• Experience with Machine Learning/Deep Learning
• Experience with computer vision, Natural Language Processing and Logic-Based Reasoning
• Experience in using machine and deep learning libraries, e.g., TensorFlow, PyTorch or similar

Required personal skills:

• High degree of motivation
• Ability to work and co-operate in an interdisciplinary group
• Ability to work independently
• Good communication skills
• Fluent in English (written and oral)

Remuneration and further information

The position is placed in government pay scale position code 1017.

PhD fellows are normally placed in pay grade 54 (NOK 491.200,-) on the Norwegian Government salary scale upon employment and follow ordinary meriting regulations.

Employment is conducted according to national guidelines for University and Technical College PhD scholars.

The engagement is to be made in accordance with the regulations in force concerning State Employees and Civil Servants, and the acts relating to Control of the Export of Strategic Goods, Services and Technology. Candidates who by assessment of the application and attachment are seen to conflict with the criteria in the latter law will be prohibited from recruitment to NMBU.

You can send specific questions about the PhD position or the research project to Fadi Al Machot, Associate Professor, Department of Data Science, by email fadi.al.machot@nmbu.no (do not use this e-mail for application, it is only for questions)

Information for PhD applicants and general Information to applicantsNMBU

Application

To apply online for this vacancy, please click on the ‘Apply for this job’ button above. This will route you to the University’s Web Recruitment System, where you will need to register an account (if you have not already) and log in before completing the online application form.

Application deadline: 20.05.2022

In the application, the candidate must confirm that information and documentation (in the form of attachments) submitted via the job application can also be used by NMBU in a possible admission process.

Applicants invited for an interview are expected to present original diplomas and certificates.

The following documents must be attached to the application:

• Motivation letter (maximum 1 page)
• Complete CV 
• Certified copies of academic diplomas and certificates. (i.e. Di-ploma, transcript. Diploma supplement for both bachelor and master). Diplomas, transcripts and diploma supplements that are not in Norwegian or English must be uploaded in the original language. An English translation of these documents must also be attached.
• Applicants from universities outside Norway are kindly requested to send a diploma supplement, or a similar document, which describes in detail the study program and grading system.
• Documentation of proficiency in written and oral English in accordance with NMBU PhD regulation section 5-2 (3). 
• Names and contact details for two references
• Additional relevant documentation of professional knowledge (for example, list of scientific works). If it is difficult to judge the applicant’s contribution for publications with multiple authors, a short description of the applicant’s contribution must be included.

About The Faculty of Science and Technology

The Faculty of Science and Technology (REALTEK) develops research-based knowledge and educates civil engineers and lecturers needed to reach the UN’s sustainability goals. We have approximately 150 employees, 70 PhD students and soon 1500 students. The education and research at REALTEK cover a broad spectrum of disciplines.

This includes data science, mechanics and process engineering, robotics, construction and architecture, industrial economics, environmental physics and renewable energy, geomatics, water and environmental engineering, applied mathematics as well as secondary school teacher education in natural sciences and use of natural resources such as in agriculture, forestry and aquaculture. The workplace is in Ås, 30 km from Oslo.

The Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU)

NMBU has a particular responsibility for research and education that secures the basis for the life of future generations. Sustainability is rooted in everything we do and we deliver knowledge for life. NMBU has 1,900 employees of which about 300 phd scholarships and 6,700 students. The university is divided into seven faculties.

NMBU believes that a good working environment is characterised by diversity.

We encourage qualified candidates to apply regardless of gender, functional ability, cultural background or whether you have been outside the labour market for a period. If necessary, workplace adaptations will be made for persons with disabilities. More information about NMBU is available at www.nmbu.no.


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