A fixed-term 100% position is available at the University of Agder, Faculty of Engineering and Science as a PhD Research Fellow in ICT for a period of three years. The position is affiliated to the Department of Information and Communication Technology and the NRC project “Logic-based Artificial Intelligence Everywhere: Tsetlin Machines in Hardware (AIEverywhere)”. The position is located, at the present, at Campus Grimstad. The starting date is as soon as possible or by agreement with the Faculty.
Responsibilities
The PhD Research Fellow will be associated with Centre for Artificial Intelligence Research (CAIR) at the University of Agder, and will work closely with the MicroSystems Research Group at Newcastle University, UK.
The primary objective of the AIEverywhere project is to architect a new Tsetlin machine HW/SW ecosystem with unprecedented scalability and on-chip learning capability, for enabling powerful logic-based ML applications everywhere (i.e. at the edge and in the cloud).
The Research Fellow will perform research on next-generation machine learning methods, building upon recent advances in Tsetlin machines. Tsetlin machines are the next frontier in interpretable energy-efficient machine learning, and the Fellow will have the opportunity to develop novel Tsetlin-machine based approaches for enhancing the intelligence, scalability and adaptability of microsystems. Key challenges include (1) developing varieties of Tsetlin machines for microsystems with low power and low complexity, (2) developing scalable hardware for Tsetlin machines with low computational and power requirement, (3) applications of the developed microsystem in various implementations, such as IoTs. The overarching goal is to apply Tsetlin machine for pervasive scalable AI hardware prototype in different applications.
Research topics
Research topics for the PhD Research Fellow include, but are not limited to the following:
- Tsetlin machine and learning automata
- Asynchronous logic for hardware implementation
- Explore the potential of intelligent power-compute co-design for pervasive AI systems
- Large-scale application of h/w for reinforcement learning and self-supervised learning
Required qualifications
- Master’s degree in ICT, Computer Science, Electronics, or a similar/related field and documented competence in areas relevant to the position. Candidates who are in the final stage of the master’s education within the relevant field may also be considered, given that a master’s degree is to be achieved before the enrollment of this position. Applications from applicants who already hold a PhD will normally not be considered.
- Strong academic credentials
- The ideal candidate will have technical expertise in one or more of the following areas:
- Machine learning (essential)
- Programming in Python and C/C++ (essential)
- FPGA/ASIC design (desirable)
- Hardware/Software Co-design (desirable)
- Microsystems/embedded systems and IoT (desirable)
- Written and spoken English proficiency. International candidates that are not exempt from the English language requirements pursuant to the guidelines of the Norwegian Agency for Quality Assurance in Education (NOKUT) must document this through one of the following tests with the stated results or better:
- TOEFL – Test of English as a Foreign Language with a minimum score of 600 for the Paperbased Test (PBT), or 92 for the Internet-based Test (iBT)
- IELTS – International English Language Testing System, with the result of 6.5
Applicants will be assessed on the basis of academic background and results, attainment, and any previous research and development work.
A prerequisite for employment is that the candidate is to be admitted to UiA’s PhD programme at the Faculty of Engineering and Science, Specialisation in ICT.
Further provisions relating to the positions as PhD Research Fellows can be found in the Regulations Concerning Terms and Conditions of Employment for the post of Post-Doctoral Research Fellow, Research Fellow, Research Assistant and Resident.
Personal qualities
Personal suitability, good teamwork and communication skills, inventiveness, and a proactive approach, will be emphasized in the evaluation as well as relevant practical experience. The PhD Research Fellow will be expected to contribute to an active research community that promotes the personal and professional growth of the doctoral candidate. The position places great demands on the applicant’s capacity for independent goal-oriented work, ability to concentrate and attention to detail. In return, we offer the opportunity to contribute to the strategic capabilities of a world-class research organization, along with intensive PhD supervision. You will collaborate with top scientists in your field and have excellent prospects for personal development in an innovative working environment for aspiring researchers.
We offer
- Training to publish in the top journals and conferences in the covered areas.
- Professional development in a large, exciting and socially influential organisation
- A positive, inclusive and diverse working environment
- Modern facilities and a comprehensive set of welfare offers
- Membership of the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund
The position is remunerated according to the State Salary Scale, salary plan 17.515, code 1017 PhD Research Fellow, NOK 501 200 gross salary per year. A compulsory pension contribution to the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund is deducted from the pay according to current statutory provisions.
General information
UiA is an open and inclusive university. We believe that diversity enriches the workplace and makes us better. We, therefore, encourage qualified candidates to apply for the position independent of gender, age, cultural background, disability or an incomplete CV.
Women are strongly encouraged to apply for the position.
The successful applicant will have rights and obligations in accordance with the current regulations for the position, and organisational changes and changes in the duties and responsibilities of the position must be expected. The engagement is to be made in accordance with the regulations in force concerning the acts relating to Control of the Export of Strategic Goods, Services and Technology. Appointment is made by the University of Agder’s Appointments Committee for Teaching and Research Positions.
Short-listed applicants will be invited for interview. With the applicant’s permission, UiA will also conduct a reference check before appointment. Read more about the employment process.
In accordance with the Freedom of Information Act § 25 (2), applicants may request that they are not identified in the open list of applicants. The University, however, reserves the right to publish the names of applicants. Applicants will be advised of the University’s intention to exercise this right.
Application
The application and any necessary information about education and experience (including diplomas and certificates) are to be sent electronically. Use the link “Apply for this job“.
The following documentation must be uploaded electronically:
- Certificates and/or grades for all post-secondary education, up to and including the bachelor’s level;
- Master’s degree/higher degree certificate, with a summary of the courses/subjects included in the degree; For those who are in the final stage of the Master’s education but without a Master’s degree yet, the transcripts without the results of thesis can be provided; The evaluation result of the thesis can be provided later.
- Applicants with a foreign higher education must attach an official description of the grading system used at the issuing institution;
- Summary (approximately 1-2 pages) of the master’s thesis;
- Applicants who are required to document their English proficiency must submit their TOEFL or IELTS test results (these may be forwarded after the closing date);
- Summary or links to the applicant’s scientific publications (if any);
- A description of the candidate’s research interests and background for the project applied for.
The applicant is fully responsible for submitting complete digital documentation before the closing date. All documentation must be available in English or in a Scandinavian language.
Application deadline: 03.10.22
Contact
For questions about the position:
- Professor Ole-Christoffer Granmo, tel. +47 977 03 120, e-mail: ole.granmo@uia.no
- Head of Department Folke Haugland, tel. +47 37 23 31 12, e-mail folke.haugland@uia.no
For questions about the application process:
- HR Advisor Maren Tofte Røisland, tel. +47 37 23 34 55, e-mail maren.tofte.roisland@uia.no
University of Agder
The University of Agder has more than 1500 employees and almost 14 000 students. This makes us one of the largest workplaces in Southern Norway. Our staff research, teach and disseminate knowledge from a variety of academic fields. Co-creation of knowledge is our common vision. We offer a broad range of study programmes in many fields. We are situated at two modern campuses in Kristiansand and Grimstad respectively.
We are an open and inclusive university marked by a culture of cooperation. The aim of the university is to further develop education and research at a high international level.