Six cross-theme PhD positions in Computer Science

The Informatics Institute is renowned for its research in complex information systems at large with a focus on three themes: artificial intelligence, computational science, and systems and networking. Within these themes, specific topics are selected and pursued through theory and application development, using a broad range of methods from computer science and engineering. We also highly value topics that are crossing the themes. This brings together the different fields of expertise and creates the synergy and creativity needed for innovative approaches. To strengthen collaboration we have opened six cross-theme PhD positions on various scientific challenges.

Are you interested in performing world class research in data driven massive computational models in an interdisciplinary setting?  We are seeking a PhD candidate to research the problem of reasoning about the ramifications of data change and integration on complex multi-scale computational models.

Over the last two decades the world has seen an explosive growth in the amount of data that is recorded about societies. This has been followed with a growth in the field of computational social science and computational models of socio-economic systems. These new data sets provide, for the first time, a way to capture, abstract and validate models regarding individual human behavior and the associated collective behavior. However, the scale of these models is typically limited by the computational demands and issues related to sensitivity (and privacy) of the associated datasets. Combining models that rely on multiple data sources at multiple scale may lead to unpredictable ramifications in terms of privacy, uncertainty and subsequent validity. In this position, you will research cutting edge algorithms for reasoning about these ramifications using a data flow paradigm.

The position offers a unique opportunity to work in an interdisciplinary environment with experts in both computational science (Dr Michael Lees, Computational Science Lab) and (Prof. Paul Groth, Intelligent Data Engineering Lab) as well as faculty from across the University of Amsterdam as part of the Institute for Advanced Study. The position is situated in the Informatics Institute at the University of Amsterdam in a thriving data science and AI ecoystem (http://amsterdamdatascience.nl).

What are you going to do?

You are expected to:       

• research, design and implement novel algorithms in the areas as mentioned above;
• actively collaborate on the intersection between two research groups;
• pursue and complete a PhD thesis within the appointed duration of four years;
• present research results at international conferences and journals;
• take part in ongoing educational activities, such as assisting in a course and guiding student thesis projects, at the BSc or MSc level.

• A Master of Science degree in computer science (or other relevant disciplines);
• fluency in English;
• experience in machine learning, data management, and software programming (using Java, Python or other languages).

Candidates who have a background in computational science, data integration, machine learning, and/or semantic web are preferred.

Our offer

A temporary contract for 38 hours per week for the duration of 4 years, preferably starting as soon as possible but no later than 1 September. The initial appointment will be for a period of 18 months and after satisfactory evaluation it will be extended for a total duration of 4 years and should lead to a dissertation (PhD thesis). We will draft an educational plan that includes attendance of courses and (international) meetings. We also expect you to assist in teaching undergraduates and master students.

The salary will be €2,325 to €2,972 (scale P) gross per month, based on full-time employment (38 hours a week). These amounts are exclusive 8% holiday allowance and 8,3% end-of-year bonus. A favorable tax agreement, the ‘30% ruling’, may apply to non-Dutch applicants. The Collective Labour Agreement of Dutch Universities is applicable.

Are you curious about our extensive package of secondary employment benefits like our excellent opportunities for study and development? Then find out more about working at the Faculty of Science.

University of Amsterdam

With over 5,000 employees, 30,000 students and a budget of more than 600 million euros, the University of Amsterdam (UvA) is an intellectual hub within the Netherlands. Teaching and research at the UvA are conducted within seven faculties: Humanities, Social and Behavioural Sciences, Economics and Business, Law, Science, Medicine and Dentistry. Housed on four city campuses in or near the heart of Amsterdam, where disciplines come together and interact, the faculties have close links with thousands of researchers and hundreds of institutions at home and abroad.  

The UvA’s students and employees are independent thinkers, competent rebels who dare to question dogmas and aren’t satisfied with easy answers and standard solutions. To work at the UvA is to work in an independent, creative, innovative and international climate characterised by an open atmosphere and a genuine engagement with the city of Amsterdam and society.

Faculty of Science

The Faculty of Science has a student body of around 6,500, as well as 1,600 members of staff working in education, research or support services. Researchers and students at the Faculty of Science are fascinated by every aspect of how the world works, be it elementary particles, the birth of the universe or the functioning of the brain.