Are you interested in answering important questions using data? Have you always wanted to think deeply about evidence, reasoning, and inference? Do you want to help put the power of machine learning and statistical inference at the fingertips of scientists and engineers?

The Informatics Institute and the Amsterdam Machine Learning Lab (AMLab) are looking for an ambitious PhD student to focus on machine learning. Examples of avenues of research include (but are not limited to): approximate statistical inference, model- and inference checking, generalization, and causal inference. Such topics are of crucial importance for science (e.g. life science, physics and medicine) and engineering (e.g. automated driving) applications. Projects will require deep engagement with statistical methodology (e.g. variational and Monte Carlo methods) as well as engineering practice (e.g. probabilistic programming).

What are you going to do

• Invent and evaluate novel methodologies for statistical and causal inference.
• Present your research by contributing to international conferences, workshops, and journals.
• Actively participate in the Amsterdam Machine Learning Lab and other local research communities.
• Assist in teaching activities: teaching labs and tutorials or supervising bachelor and master students.
• Complete a PhD thesis within the appointed duration of 4 years.

What do we require

• A MSc in Machine Learning, Computer Science, Statistics, Mathematics, or a related field.
• Experience in programming and software development. Familiarity with Python and scientific libraries (e.g. NumPy/SciPy, Stan, TensorFlow, PyTorch, JAX) is preferred.
• Enthusiasm for the scientific process: formulating a hypothesis and conducting experiments, data collection and analysis, disseminating findings via oral presentations and writing.
• Good communication skills, proficiency in written and oral English.

Fixed-term contract: 18 months.

Our offer

A temporary contract for 38 hours per week for the duration of four years (the initial contract will be for a period of 18 months and after satisfactory evaluation it will be extended for a total duration of four years). This 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 gross monthly salary, based on 38 hours per week and dependent on relevant experience, ranges between €2,443 to €3,122 (scale P). This is exclusive 8% holiday allowance and 8,3% year-end allowance. A favourable tax agreement, the ‘30% ruling’, may apply to non-Dutch applicants. The Collective Labour Agreement of Dutch Universities is applicable.

Are you curious to read more about our extensive package of secondary employment benefits, take a look here.

University of Amsterdam

With over 6,000 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 - Informatics Institute

The Faculty of Science has a student body of around 8,000, as well as 1,800 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.

The mission of the Informatics Institute (IvI) is to perform curiosity-driven and use-inspired fundamental research in Computer Science. The main research themes are Artificial Intelligence, Computational Science and Systems and Network Engineering. Our research involves complex information systems at large, with a focus on collaborative, data driven, computational and intelligent systems, all with a strong interactive component.

The Amsterdam Machine Learning Lab (AMLab) conducts research in the area of large scale modelling of complex data sources. This includes the development of new methods for probabilistic graphical models and non-parametric Bayesian models, the development of faster (approximate) inference and learning methods, deep learning, causal inference, reinforcement learning and multi-agent systems and the application of all of the above to large scale data domains in science and industry ('Big Data problems'). AMLab is co-directed by Max Welling and Jan-Willem van de Meent. AMLab positions itself in the AI research theme, and also with clear links to the Data Science theme of the Informatics Institute.

Want to know more about our organisation? Read more about working at the University of Amsterdam.