The School of Science and Technology is seeking an associate senior lecturer in Computer Science for a fixed-term position of 4-6 years.
Subject area
The position is in Computer Science, with a specialization in integration of machine learning and machine reasoning.
Background
Wallenberg AI, Autonomous Systems and Software Program (WASP) is Sweden’s largest individual research program ever. WASP provides a platform for academic research and education, fostering interaction with Sweden’s leading technology companies. WASP has the ambition to strengthen and develop Sweden’s knowledge and competence in the areas of AI and machine learning through an international recruitment program. Thus, the WASP positions are not intended as a mechanism to strengthen Sweden’s existing faculty, but to attract new talent to Sweden.
As part of this initiative, Örebro University is now looking for an associate senior lecturer in computer science specialising in integrating learning and reasoning within artificial intelligence, for a fixed term of 4-6 years at the School of Science and Technology.
Artificial intelligence has made a lot of progress in both learning and reasoning. 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 subsymbolic and symbolic representations. Current progress in the field is, however, hindered by the fact that these fields have been developed quite independently of one another. There is now consensus that the integration of machine learning and machine reasoning is the next challenge in artificial intelligence and a necessary step for realizing the vision of trustworthy artificial intelligence. A particularly important research direction is neural symbolic AI, which integrates symbolic reasoning with neural networks.
The associate senior lecturer shall pursue research in computer science at the Centre for Applied Autonomous Sensor Systems (AASS) at the School of Science and Technology on Örebro University’s main campus. AASS focuses on artificial intelligence, robotics as well as autonomous and intelligent sensor systems. Industrial applications of these occur in close collaboration with national and international world-leading companies. The associate senior lecturer will be part of the subgroup on integrating learning and reasoning, led by Prof. Luc De Raedt. There will also be two Ph.D. students who work on these topics with the associate senior lecturer.
Duties and responsibilities
Duties and responsibilities involve research, teaching and collaboration. During the period of employment, an associate senior lecturer shall develop their autonomy as a researcher and acquire further qualifications in terms of both research and teaching skills to meet the criteria for a position as a senior lecturer. An associate senior lecturer shall also contribute to the University’s development.
The research focus for the position is the integration of machine learning and machine reasoning. The position comes with responsibilities for (co-)supervising two doctoral students and may also entail supervision of postdoctoral researchers. Other important duties and responsibilities include applying for external research funding, promoting internationalisation and collaboration, and contributing to the operations in the research environment. In addition, the associate senior lecturer shall contribute to the teaching in computer science on the Bachelor and Master of Science in Engineering programmes.
Qualifications
Those qualified for appointment as an associate senior lecturer are applicants who have been awarded a doctoral degree in a subject area relevant for the position or have the corresponding research competence. Preference should be given to those who were awarded a doctoral degree or attained equivalent research competence no more than five years prior to the application deadline. If special grounds exist, a person who has been awarded their doctoral degree prior to that should also be considered. Such grounds comprise leave of absence due to illness, parental leave, or other similar circumstances.
Assessment criteria
When appointing an associate senior lecturer, the applicant’s research as well as teaching expertise will be assessed. The assessment is also to consider the applicant’s qualifications and experience from collaboration with the wider community, of which the university is a part, as well as national and international experience and mobility. Teaching staff is expected to have the ability to communicate, to collaborate with the surrounding community and to contribute to utilising the university’s research for the benefit of society. In addition, the applicant’s suitability for the position will be assessed.
Research expertise
When filling this associate senior lecturer position, the main focus will be on the candidate’s research expertise. A requirement for employment is solid qualifications in the area of machine learning and machine reasoning which should be demonstrated through the candidate’s own research and scientific publications in machine learning and machine reasoning within artificial intelligence. Candidates’ research will also be assessed on their potential to strengthen basic research in artificial intelligence in Sweden. In addition to publications in scientific journals, national and international research collaborations, a demonstrated ability to secure external funding, and an interest in cooperating across disciplines are considered additional qualifications. International research experience is highly valued.
Teaching expertise
When defining teaching expertise at Örebro University, three categories are used: teaching approach, how the teaching approach is put into practice, and professional development as a teacher. Teaching expertise is to be assessed in terms of teaching qualifications and experience, which must be documented and accounted for in compliance with Örebro University’s template for teaching portfolios, relating clearly to the values set out in Örebro University’s educational philosophy.
The fact that applicants who have recently obtained their doctoral degree may only be able to demonstrate limited teaching expertise should be particularly considered in the assessment.
The assessment of applicant’s teaching expertise is based on the breadth and scope of various forms of working and teaching at the bachelor’s and master’s levels, including experience of supervision. In addition, applicants’ ability to plan, implement and evaluate teaching and examination formats is assessed. Applicants’ ability to link teaching to research and contribute to a scientific approach in their teaching will also be assessed.
Collaboration and public engagement skills
The ability to interact with the surrounding society is an important part of a university teacher’s role and it requires a good understanding of various societal processes and the impact of university activities on these. Assessment of collaboration and public engagement skills looks at three aspects: the ability to communicate, the ability to collaborate with the surrounding society, and the ability to facilitate utilisation of the university’s research. Importance is also attached to national and international experience and mobility.
Leadership skills
In assessing leadership and administrative skills, particular consideration should be given to leadership qualifications within education and research, such as contributions to development work. Depending on the specialisation and duties of the appointment, qualifications from operations outside of the higher education sector may be considered. The fact that applicants who have recently obtained their doctoral degree may only be able to demonstrate limited leadership skills should be particularly considered in the assessment.
Suitability
Suitability refers to the applicant having the personal qualities required to successfully perform the duties and responsibilities at hand, to cooperate with other members of staff, and to contribute to the development of the operations in question. The person we are looking for has good interpersonal and cooperative skills, power of initiative, and an interest in development efforts.
Other assessment criteria
Good communication skills in English, in speech and in writing is mandatory.
Particular attention is to be paid to the applicant’s prospects of contributing to the future development of both research and education. Importance is also attached to a demonstrated ability and ambition to embark on a career within academia.
Promotion to senior lecturer
An associate senior lecturer is on application and assessment to be promoted to senior lecturer if they meet the criteria for the appointment.
A condition for promotion is that there is a need within the organisation in the subject area in question and that a separate assessment of the candidate’s qualifications is made. The basis for promotion from associate senior lecturer to senior lecturer is that the applicant meets (1) the criteria set out in the requirements profile at the time of appointment as associate senior lecturer, and (2) the qualifications and assessment criteria in place for appointment as senior lecturer at the time of promotion and based on the respective faculty board’s guidelines for appointment. On the examination of an application for promotion to senior lecturer, teaching and research/artistic expertise are to be given equal attention. In addition, on promotion, the applicant must have completed qualifying courses on teaching and learning in higher education. They must also demonstrate good oral and written communication skills in Swedish at the level required to perform common duties within research, education, and administration.
The application for promotion to a position as senior lecturer is to be submitted to the faculty no later than 6 months and no earlier than 12 months before the employment as an associate senior lecturer comes to an end. Such a promotion entails permanent employment as senior lecturer in the subject.
Information
This is a fixed-term full-time position for a period of 4-6 years (the exact length will be decided in connection with appointment). The appointment may be extended, but for no longer than two years, if because of the associate senior lecturer’s illness, parental leave or other special grounds additional time is needed to fulfil the purpose of the appointment. At Örebro University, salary depends on the successful candidate’s qualifications and experience.
For more information about the position, contact Head of AASS, Professor Lars Karlsson email: lars.karlsson@oru.se, the Head of the School for Science and Technology Dr. Mattias Bäckström, Mattias.Backstrom@oru.se, or Professor Luc De Raedt, Luc.De-Raedt@oru.se.
At Örebro University, we expect each member of staff to be open to development and change; take responsibility for their work and performance; demonstrate a keen interest in collaboration and contribute to development; as well as to show respect for others by adopting a constructive and professional approach.
Örebro University actively pursues equal opportunities and gender equality as well as a work environment characterised by openness, trust and respect. We value the qualities that diversity adds to our operations.
Application
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:
- A covering letter, outlining how you believe you can contribute to the continued development of Örebro University
- CV with a relevant description of your overall qualifications and experience
- Teaching portfolio (as instructed in Örebro University’s guidelines)
- Research portfolio
- Publication list
- Complete scientific publications (maximum of 10, not only publication list)
- Copies of relevant course/degree certificates and references verifying eligibility and criteria met
Only documents written in Swedish, English, Norwegian or Danish can be reviewed. More information for applicants will be found on our career site: https://www.oru.se/english/career/available-positions/applicants-and-external-experts/
The application deadline is 2023-11-30. We look forward to receiving your application!
After the application deadline has expired, no supplements can be made electronically. Applicants will at a later stage receive instructions on supplementing their application for the external experts. Such a supplement is however limited to any scientific publications that cannot be attached electronically to the application.
We decline any contact with advertisers or recruitment agencies in the recruitment process.
As directed by the National Archives of Sweden (Riksarkivet), Örebro University is required to deposit one file copy of the application documents, excluding publications, for a period of two years after the appointment decision has gained legal force.