Doctoral student in Computer Science, specializing in Artificial Intelligence

Örebro University and the School of Science and Technology are looking for a doctoral student for the doctoral program in Computer Science, with specialization in Artificial Intelligence, concluding with a doctoral degree.

Expected start date: September 2024

Project description

The project is in the area of Artificial Intelligence (AI), and it relates in particular to automated reasoning, automated planning and knowledge representation. The project is funded by the prestigious Vetenskapsrådet (Swedish Research Council), and it will investigate the ground-breaking question on how AI systems can proactively acquire new knowledge and new abilities. The student will develop theories and methods to allow the AI system to decide which knowledge or abilities it should learn, when, and how. As part of this problem, the AI system must be able to perform anticipatory reasoning, and to reason about its own knowledge and abilities as well as others’ knowledge and abilities. Note that this project does not aim at studying specific mechanisms for machine learning, but it focuses on the higher level question of how an AI system can autonomously decide to initiate a learning process.

The successful candidate should show strong and independent problem solving abilities as well as critical analytical abilities. Fluent spoken and written English is essential, while knowledge of Swedish is not necessary. Demonstrated knowledge in Artificial Intelligence is required, specifically in any of the following fields: knowledge representation, planning and decision-making, multi-agent systems. Experience with robotic systems, with human-machine interaction, with machine learning or with neuro-symbolic approaches, as well as experience in working within multi-disciplinary projects, are preferential criteria. Good programming skills are a plus.

The program and the doctoral studentship

The doctoral program consists of courses and an independent research project that you will present in a doctoral thesis. The program concludes with a doctoral degree and comprises 240 credits, which corresponds to four years of full-time study.

Our ambition is for your doctoral studies to be stimulating and purposeful throughout the program until you have obtained your doctoral degree. A thorough introduction will therefore get you off to a good start and provide a solid foundation on which you can build your studies. As a doctoral student at Örebro University, you will be offered a specially tailored seminar series, covering matters ranging from doctoral program rules and careers to support during the study period and networking.

The place on the program is linked to a full-time doctoral studentship for the duration of the study program, which corresponds to four years of full-time study. Both the program and the doctoral studentship are on-site at Örebro University. More information on doctoral studentships, part-time studies and part-time doctoral studentships can be found in the Regulations Handbook. The initial salary for a doctoral studentship is SEK 30.100 a month.

Entry requirements and selection

For admission to doctoral studies, applicants are required to meet both general entry requirements and specific entry requirements. In addition, applicants must be considered in other respects to have the ability required to benefit from the program. For a full account of the entry requirements, refer to the admissions regulations as well as to annex 2 to the general syllabus for Computer Science.

Applicants meet the specific entry requirements for third-cycle courses and study programs in the subject if he or she has been awarded a Degree of Master of Science in Engineering or a one-year Master’s degree from a program within the subject field or related subjects, or if he or she has received a passing grade of at least 120 credits, including an independent project of at least 15 credits, in a main field of study of relevance to the computer science field. A person who has acquired substantially corresponding knowledge, in Sweden or abroad, also meets the specific entry requirements.

Information

For more information about the program and the doctoral studentship, contact Dr. Jasmin Grosinger (jasmin.grosinger@oru.se), Prof. Alessandro Saffiotti (asaffio@aass.oru.se), Prof. Lars Karlsson (lars.karlsson@oru.se) or head of subject associate Prof. Martin Magnusson (martin.magnusson@oru.se).

At Örebro University, we expect each member of staff to be open to development and change; take responsibility for their work and performance; demonstrate a keen interest in collaboration and contribute to development; as well as to show respect for others by adopting a constructive and professional approach.

Örebro University actively pursues equal opportunities and gender equality as well as a work environment characterized by openness, trust and respect. We value the qualities that diversity adds to our operations.

Application to the program and for the doctoral studentship

The application is made online. Click the button “Apply” to begin the application procedure.

For the application to be complete, the following electronic documents must be included:

• The form Application for/decision on admission to research studies
• CV
• Copies of your original certificate and official transcript for Bachelor's degree
• Copies of your original certificate and official transcript for Master's degree
• Degree project/independent project
• Other relevant documents, course and degree certificates verifying eligibility
• Description of research interests – detailing the field of research you are interested in, including, if applicable, theoretical and methodological approaches (2-5 pages).

As a main rule, application documents and attachments are to be written in English, Swedish, Danish, or Norwegian. Certificates and documents in other languages verifying your qualifications and experience must be translated by an authorized translator to English or Swedish. A list of authorized translators can be obtained from Kammarkollegiet (the Legal, Financial and Administrative Services Agency), www.kammarkollegiet.se/engelska/start.

When you apply for admission, you automatically also apply for a doctoral studentship.
More information for applicants will be found at out career site: https://www.oru.se/english/working-at-orebro-university/jobs-and-vacancies/applicants-and-external-experts/

The application deadline is 2024-05-31. We look forward to receiving your application!

As we have already made our choices in terms of external collaboration partners and marketing efforts for this recruitment process, we decline any contact with recruitment agencies and advertisers.

As directed by the National Archives of Sweden (Riksarkivet), we are required to deposit one file copy of the application documents, excluding publications, for a period of two years after the appointment decision has gained legal force.