PhD student in Automatic Control focusing on robust statistical learning and system identification

Uppsala University, Department of Information Technology

Are you interested in working in the intersection between statistical learning and automatic control, with the support of competent and friendly colleagues in an international environment? Are you looking for an employer that invests in sustainable employeeship and offers safe, favourable working conditions? We welcome you to apply for a PhD position at Uppsala University.

Uppsala University has a long tradition of successful research – among its alumni are 16 Nobel Prize laureates, including, most recently, Svante Pääbo. The University is unique when it comes to combining IT with wider research, from life sciences to the humanities, and this collaboration is currently facilitated by AI4Research and the Centre for Interdisciplinary Mathematics.

The Department of Information Technology holds a leading position in both research and education at all levels. We are currently Uppsala University's third largest department, having around 350 employees, including 120 teachers and 120 PhD students. Approximately 5,000 undergraduate students take one or more courses at the department each year. You can find more information about us on the Department of Information Technology website.

At the Division of Systems and Control, we develop both theory and concrete tools to design systems that learn, reason, and act in the real world based on a seamless combination of data, mathematical models, and algorithms. Our research integrates expertise from control theory, machine learning, optimization, and network science, spanning diverse application domains such as energy systems, biomedical systems, neuroscience, and safety and security.

The Division of Systems and Control enjoys a wide network of strong international collaborators all around the world, for example at the University of Cambridge, University of Oxford, Imperial College, University of British Columbia, University of Sydney, University of Newcastle and Aalto University. We strive for all PhD students to get a solid international experience during their PhD.

Project description
In this project, the selected candidate will join us in conducting research in automatic control and statistical learning, developing data-driven methods to learn large-scale signals and systems from data. There will be a strong focus on developing robust methods with mathematical guarantees, focusing on dynamical, statistical, and optimization properties with potential applications to medicine. The exact details of the research project are decided in a dialogue between the doctoral student and the supervisor.

Duties
A Doctoral student will devote their time mainly to graduate education. The rest of the duties may involve teaching at the department, including some administration, to at most 20%.

Requirements
To meet the entry requirements for doctoral studies, you must

• hold a Master’s (second-cycle) degree in engineering physics, electrical engineering, data analysis, computer science, applied mathematics or in a similar field.
• have completed at least 240 credits in higher education, with at least 60 credits at Master’s level including an independent project worth at least 15 credits, or
• have acquired substantially equivalent knowledge in some other way.

Information about the specific entry requirements can be found in the study sullabus for the subject.

We are looking for candidates with

• a strong mathematical background and interest in developing applications in automatic control and statistical learning.
• good communication skills with sufficient proficiency in oral and written English,
• excellent study results,
• high proficiency in programming (preferably in Python),
• personal characteristics, such as a high level of creativity, thoroughness, and/or a structured approach to problem-solving are essential

Additional qualifications
Experience and courses in one or more subjects are valued: Dynamical systems, signal processing, estimation theory, automatic control, system identification, statistical machine learning, optimization, linear algebra, and deep learning.

Rules governing PhD students are set out in the Higher Education Ordinance chapter 5, §§ 1-7 and in Uppsala University's rules and guidelines.

Application
The application must include:

1. a statement (at most 2 pages) of the applicant’s motivation for applying for this position, including a self-assessment on why you would be the right candidate for this position;
2. a CV;
3. degrees and transcript of records with grades (translated to English or Swedish);
4. the Master’s thesis (or a draft thereof, and/or some other self-produced technical or scientific text), publications, and other relevant documents;
5. references with contact information (names, emails and telephone number) and up to two letters of recommendation.

All applicants should state the earliest possible starting date of employment.

About the employment
The employment is a temporary position according to the Higher Education Ordinance chapter 5 § 7. Scope of employment 100 %. Starting date January 2025 or as agreed. Placement: Uppsala

For further information about the position, please contact: Antônio Horta Ribeiro, email: antonio.horta.ribeiro@it.uu.se, website: https://antonior92.github.io/

Please submit your application by 9 October 2024, UFV-PA 2024/2794.

Are you considering moving to Sweden to work at Uppsala University? Find out more about what it´s like to work and live in Sweden.

Uppsala University is a broad research university with a strong international position. The ultimate goal is to conduct education and research of the highest quality and relevance to make a difference in society. Our most important asset is all of our 7,600 employees and 53,000 students who, with curiosity and commitment, make Uppsala University one of Sweden’s most exciting workplaces.

Read more about our benefits and what it is like to work at Uppsala University
https://uu.se/om-uu/jobba-hos-oss/

The position may be subject to security vetting. If security vetting is conducted, the applicant must pass the vetting process to be eligible for employment.

Please do not send offers of recruitment or advertising services.

Submit your application through Uppsala University's recruitment system.