Assistant Professor in Computer Science with focus on Large-Scale AI/ML Engineering

The Department of Computer Science is hiring an Assistant Professor in Computer Science with focus on Large-Scale AI/ML Engineering

Description of the workplace

The assistant professor will be working at the Department of Computer Science, where research on the engineering of large-scale software-intensive systems is conducted in the Software Engineering Research Group (SERG)which is headed by Professor Per Runeson. SERG is a world leader on empirical software engineering, where empirical studies, like experiments, case studies and surveys are conducted to understand real-world problems, design and evaluate solutions for such problems, mostly within the design science paradigm. In addition to conventional software, the scope includes ML and AI enabled systems, and thus MLOps (Machine Learning Operations), datacentric AI, and legal and ethical aspects of AI. Socio-technical aspects are embraced, both in developer and user stakeholder perspectives.

The empirical research catalyzes industry-academia collaboration and cross-dsicplinary initiatives. Consequently, SERG is active in research centers with a multitude of academic, industrial and public collaboration partners. The faculty of engineering’s profile area AI and Digitalisation and the univeristy’s profile area Natural and Artificial Cognition are wide open for cross disciplinary endevours. Research excellence and relevance go hand in hand, rendering top quality publications and evidence-based recommendations for practitioners.

Subject

Computer Science with focus on Large-Scale AI/ML Engineering

Subject description

The position focuses on empirical studies and design of solutions for the engineering of large-scale industrial and societal systems, embedding ML components and capabilities including requirements, design, and quality assurance, i.e. MLOps (Machine Learning Operations), AI Engineering or SE4AI (Software Engineering for Artificial Intelligence). With increasing adoption of ML-based functionality, challenges arise for such systems regarding, for example, data collection and cleaning, privacy preservation, decision transparency, model evolution over time, and adherence to legal and ethical frameworks. Topics of interest for the subject include methods, tools and technology addressing the above challenges to support engineering and operations of large-scale software systems with ML components.

Work duties

Employment as an assistant professor is a tenure track position, which aims for the holder to develop their independence as a researcher and educator. The work duties mainly involve research and teaching. The position includes the opportunity to undertake five weeks of training in teaching and learning in higher education.

Work duties include:

• Research within the subject area.
• Teaching in the first, second and third cycles of studies.
• Supervision of degree projects and doctoral students.
• Actively seeking external research funding.
• Collaboration with industry and wider society.
• Administration related to the work duties listed above.

Qualification requirements

Qualification requirements for employment as an assistant professor are fulfilled by someone who has been awarded a doctorate or has the corresponding research competence.

Primary consideration should be given to someone who has been awarded a doctorate or achieved the equivalent competence within seven years of the deadline for application for employment as an assistant professor. However, someone who has been awarded a doctorate or achieved the equivalent expertise at an earlier date may also be considered if there are special grounds. Special grounds are sick leave, parental leave or other similar circumstances.

Assessment criteria

For appointment to assistant professor, the following shall form the assessment criteria:

• A good ability to develop and carry out high quality research.
• Teaching ability.

Additional requirements

• Very good oral and written proficiency in English.

• Significant documented research experience (e.g. from postdoc or doctoral studies) from another university/institute or relevant experience from industry/public sector.
• Documented proficiency in using empirical research methods.
• Collaborative skills, initiative and the ability to solve work tasks independently, as well as a demonstrated interest in leadership.

Other qualifications

• Documented experience from applying for and receiving research grants.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate with wider society.

The extent to which the applicant, through their experience and skills, may complement and strengthen ongoing research, undergraduate education, departmental innovation, and how they can contribute to the future development of the department will also be taken into consideration.

Terms of employment
This is a full-time, fixed-term employment of 6 years. The employment is regulated in accordance with Chapter 4 Section 12a§ HEA. The purpose of the appointment is for the teacher to be given the opportunity to develop research autonomy and acquire the scholarly and teaching qualifications required for eligibility for appointment as a senior lecturer.

We offer 

Lund University is a public authority which means that employees get particular benefits, generous annual leave and an advantageous occupational pension scheme.  Read more on the University website about being a Lund University employee: https://www.lunduniversity.lu.se/about-university/work-lund-university.

Instructions on how to apply

Applications shall be written in English. Please draw up the application in accordance with LTH’s Academic qualifications portfolio – see link below. Upload the application as PDF-files in the recruitment system. Read more:

http://www.lth.se/english/working-at-lth/to-apply-for-academic-positions-at-lth/

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Promotion to Senior Lecturer in Computer Science with focus on Large-Scale AI/ML Engineering

During the period of employment, an assistant professor can apply for promotion to a permanent position as Senior Lecturer if he or she has the required qualifications listed below, and is deemed suitable. An assistant professor can only apply for promotion once.

Qualification requirements

Appointment to senior lecturer requires that the applicant has:

• A PhD or corresponding research competence or professional expertise considered important with regard to the subject matter of the post and the work duties it will involve.
• Demonstrated teaching expertise.
• Completed five weeks of training in higher education teaching and learning, or acquired equivalent knowledge by other means.

Assessment criteria

The assessment criteria specify the aspects to be considered, and the level to be achieved, for the assessment criteria to be deemed fulfilled. The following assessment criteria must be fulfilled for appointment to senior lecturer:

• A good national and international standing as a researcher. The requirement for international experience shall be assessed with consideration to the character and traditions of the subject.
• Good teaching ability, including a good ability to conduct, develop and lead teaching and other educational activities on different levels and using a variety of teaching methods.
• An ability to supervise doctoral students to achieve a PhD.
• An ability to collaborate with wider society and communicate his or her activities.
• A general ability to lead and develop activities.

Additional requirements

• Good ability to collaborate, independence and drive.
• Sufficient knowledge of Swedish to carry out administrative and educational tasks that require an understanding of Swedish.
• Progression in research and teaching expertise.

Demonstrated ability to actively seek external research funding.