Doctoral student in Mathematical Optimization for Learning - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

Mathematical optimization is an exciting and broad subject, covering both deep mathematics and hands-on implementation. It is a core component in many engineering fields, such as machine learning, signal processing, control, and image reconstruction. With the explosion of applications in the machine learning domain, optimization has never been more relevant.

We have an open PhD student position in the optimization group at the Department of Automatic Control, a world renown department. The department has a stimulating and international environment consisting of PhD students, postdocs and teachers coming from all corners of the world. Research and teaching are conducted in an open and progressive atmosphere with challenges and cooperation both within academia and with industry, with national and international networks. A PhD degree also gives you the perfect base for an exciting career, be it in academia or industry. Lund University and the Department of Automatic Control welcome applicants with diverse backgrounds and experiences. We regard equality and diversity as a strength and an asset.

The project is financed by the Mathematics for AI branch of the Wallenberg Autonomous System Program (WASP). The project focus is on optimization algorithms for machine learning, with one focus being saddle-point problems that appear, e.g., in training of Generative Adversarial Networks (GANs). The position includes participation in the WASP national graduate school on Math for AI, and with possibilities for longer international research visits abroad.

Research subject
Automatic control

Job assignments

The PhD position lasts five years and consists of three main aspects:

• research project, including trips to conferences, seminars etc.,
• postgraduate courses, locally and internationally given (90 credits), and
• teaching (at most 20%), including lab supervision and exam responsibilities. This part also involves professional development working with equality and diversity, arranging events etc.

Admission requirements
A person meets the general admission requirements for third-cycle courses and study programs if he or she

• has been awarded a second-cycle qualification,
• or has satisfied the requirements for courses comprising at least 240 credits of which at least 60 credits were awarded in the second cycle, or
• has acquired largely equivalent knowledge in some other way, either in Sweden or abroad.

A person meets the specific admission requirements for Automatic contril if he or she has:
• knowledge corresponding to course FRT010 Automatic control, basic course and a second cycle specialisation of relevance to the project, or
• an MSc in engineering, math, or equivalent.

Additional requirements:
• Very good oral and written proficiency in English.
• Good language analytical ability.
• Curiousness about research and teaching.
• Creativity with good ability for cooperation and networking.
• Proactivity.
• Persistence and a methodological way of working.

Assessment criteria
Selection for third-cycle studies is based on the student’s potential to profit from such studies. The assessment of potential is made primarily on the basis of academic results from the first and second cycles. Special attention is paid to the following:

• The results of studies at the basic and advanced levels, in particular control engineering, mathematics and closely related topics.
• The ability to work independently and to formulate and tackle research problems.
• Written and oral communication skills.
• Other experience relevant to the third-cycle studies, e.g. professional experience.

Assessment considerations include grades, certificates and references, as well as other relevant experience that demonstrates competences relevant to postgraduate studies. Assessment considerations also include that the candidates will be judged by their drive, creativity and ability to cooperate and work independently.

Terms of employment
Only those admitted to third cycle studies may be appointed to a doctoral studentship. Third cycle studies at LTH consist of full-time studies for 4 years. A doctoral studentship is a fixed-term employment of a maximum of 5 years (including 20% teaching and professional development). Doctoral studentships are regulated in the Higher Education Ordinance (1993:100), chapter 5, 1-7 §§. A doctoral student will receive a competitive monthly salary of 30 500 SEK with yearly raise.

We intend to hire 1-2 Phd students.

Instructions on how to apply
Applications shall be written in English and include a cover letter stating the reasons why you are interested in the position and in what way the research area corresponds to your interests and educational background. The application must also contain a CV, degree certificate or equivalent, and other documents you wish to be considered (grade transcripts, contact information for your references, letters of recommendation, etc.). Don't forget to answer the qualification questions.

Those applicants who will be called for interview, will be asked to perform a small test to demonstrate basic competence.