Two PhD Positions in Safe Machine Learning for Control

Two PhD Positions in Safe Machine Learning for Control

The Department of Computer Science at Aalborg University has two fully funded PhD positions available within the Computer Science study program. The PhD students will be working on machine-learned control policies with a focus on safety. The earliest starting date is 1 September, 2024. The Department of Computer Science features a broad range of synergistic activities within research and education in the general area of computer science, including curiosity-driven research and targeted research in collaboration with industrial partners, traditional university education with a unique problem- and project-based focus, and continued education and knowledge dissemination.

Jobbeskrivelse
The project addresses the fundamental question of how to trust a neural network that controls a dynamical system. Since neural networks are large black boxes, we need both automatic methods to analyze such systems and human-interpretable certificates of the analysis results. We will devise automatic and sound methods to respectively certify correctness and incorrectness of neural-network controllers. We will also develop a framework that integrates these methods for constructing correct-by-design controllers. Methodologically, we will investigate how traditional computer-science techniques for verification and falsification as well as machine learning can be tailored to these goals. This way, the project lays the grounds towards safe AI control systems.
The selected candidates will be part of the Distributed, Embedded and Distributed Systems research group: https://www.cs.aau.dk/research/distributed-embedded-intelligent-systems/.
REQUIREMENTS
Applicants who wish to apply for a 3-year PhD stipend must have a Master’s degree in computer science or a closely related field such as mathematics or control engineering. Due to the project’s angle, applicants should have a strong background in at least one of the following areas: formal methods, machine learning. Additional knowledge and experience within the following areas are appreciated: formal verification, deep learning, dynamical systems, control theory. Excellent spoken and written communication skills in English are expected.

PhD stipends are normally for a 3-year period, being a requisite to have a relevant Master degree.

Applicants who wish to apply for a 4-year integrated PhD stipend must be enrolled in a relevant Master's programme at AAU.
More details below.

Details on 3-year PhD positions
PhD stipends are allocated to individuals who hold a Master's degree. It is a prerequisite for allocation of the stipend that the candidate will be enrolled as a PhD student at the Technical Doctoral School of IT and Design in accordance with the regulations of Ministerial Order No. 1039 of August 27, 2013 on the PhD Programme at the Universities and Certain Higher Artistic Educational Institutions. According to the Ministerial Order, the progress of the PhD student shall be assessed at regular points in time.

Details on 4-year integrated PhD positions
There is also an option to allocate integrated PhD stipends to individuals who have not yet completed a Master’s degree and wish to begin the PhD study in connection with the Master study. Hence, a prerequisite for this type of stipend is that the candidate is enrolled in a relevant Master’s programme at AAU.

Stipends of this type consist of two parts: A and B. During part A, candidates are enrolled simultaneously in the Master’s programme and in the PhD programme. The stipend consists of two SU-PhD grants per month(SU= The Danish students’ Grants and Loans Scheme). One SU-PhD grant equals DKK 6,820(2024-level). SU-PhD grants are paid for a maximum of two years. When the Master’s degree has been obtained, the candidate will be employed for two years as a PhD fellow according to the present collective agreement. Part B has a maximum duration of two years.

The integrated PhD stipend is open only for appointment with starting date 1 September 2024.

APPLICATION
An application must contain:

1. Cover letter of max. 2 pages(excl. references), including(i) motivation for applying,(ii) preferred starting date, and(iii) an explanation of the applicant’s background and suitability for the position
2. CV
3. Diplomas and transcripts of records

Interested applicants are welcome to contact Assistant Professor Christian Schilling ([email protected]) and Professor Kim Guldstrand Larsen ([email protected]) regarding the scientific aspects of the position.

PROCEDURE
Shortlisting will be applied. This means that, subsequent to the deadline for applications, head of department supported by chair of the assessment committee will select candidates for interview. All applicants will be informed whether they will be interviewed or not. Interviews are planned to take place by the end of June.

For further information about stipends and salary as well as practical issues concerning the application procedure, please contact Ms. Annemarie Davidsen, the Doctoral School at the Technical Faculty of IT and Design, email: [email protected].

For more information of The Technical Doctoral School of IT and Design: https://www.phd.aau.dk/tech

The application is only to be submitted online, using the"Apply online" button below.

AAU wishes to reflect the diversity of society and welcomes applications from all qualified candidates regardless of personal background or belief.

Løn og ansættelsesvilkår
Appointment and salary as a PhD fellow are according to the Ministry of Finance Circular of 15 December 2021 on the Collective Agreement for Academics in Denmark, Appendix 5, regarding PhD fellows, and with the current Circular of 11 December 2019 on the employment structure at Danish universities. Allocation of SU-PhD grants are according to the Ministerial Order on the State Educational Grant and Loan Scheme part 12, section II. This applies to integrated PhD stipends only.

Ansøgningsfrist
2024-06-03

Ref. nummer
16-24030

Afdeling
Department of Computer Science