JOB DESCRIPTION
               
About the position

A fixed-term 100% position is available at the University of Agder, Faculty of Engineering and Science as a PhD Research Fellow, affiliated to the Department of Information and Communication Technology, for a period of 3 years. The position is located at Campus Grimstad. The starting date is as soon as possible or to be negotiated with the Faculty.

The Department of ICT has three large and active research groups in Information and Communication Technology including 8 Professors, 20 Associate Professors/Assistant professors and about 20 Research Fellows on the PhD programme in ICT. The Department of ICT pursues a variety of research interests, focusing especially on ICT and crisis management, artificial intelligence, eLearning and eHealth. The department has successfully led a number of large research projects funded by the Research Council of Norway, the EU research programmes FP7 and H2020 as well as national and international industries.
Responsibilities

The PhD Research Fellow will be associated with the Centre for Artificial Intelligence Research at the University of Agder, and will work closely with the microSystems Research Group at Newcastle University, UK.

The Fellow will perform research on next-generation machine learning methods, building upon recent advances in Tsetlin machines. Tsetlin machines are the next frontier in interpretable energy-efficient machine learning, and the fellow will have the opportunity to develop novel Tsetlinmachine based approaches for enhancing the intelligence and adaptability of microsystems. Key challenges include (1) developing varieties of Tsetlin machines for microsystems with low power and low complexity, (2) developing hardware for Tsetlin machines with low computational and power requirement, (3) applications of the developed microsystem in various implementations, such as IoTs. The overarching goal is to apply Tsetlin machine for pervasive AI hardware prototype in different applications.

Research topics

Research topics for the PhD Research Fellow include, but are not limited to the following:
  	
    Tsetlin machine and learning automata    	
    Asynchronous logic for hardware implementation   	
    Explore the potential of intelligent power-compute co-design for pervasive AI systems   	
    Application of microsystems, such as IoTs

Required qualifications

    Master’s degree in ICT, Computer Science, Electronics, or a similar/related field and document competence in areas relevant to the position. The candidate who is in the final stage of the master’s education within the relevant field may also be considered, given that a master’s degree is to be achieved before the enrollment of this position.
    	
    The ideal candidate will have expertise in the following areas:	
        		
        Machine learning FPGA/ASIC design      		
        Microsystems/embedded systems        		
        IoTs       		
        Strong academic credentials
        		   	
    Written and spoken English proficiency
    	
    Applicants from some countries must document their English proficiency through one of the following tests with the stated results or better:	
        		
        TOEFL - Test of English as a Foreign Language with a minimum score of 550 on the Paper-based Test (PBT), or 80 on the Internet based Test (iBT); I
        		
        ELTS - International English Language Testing System, with a result of at least 6.0. Please check this list to see if an English test is required. Please note that the English test requirement applies to applicants from most countries according to the list mentioned above. No other English tests will be approved, and certifications/statements cannot replace an English test.
        		
The PhD Research Fellow must be admitted to UiA’s PhD Programme in Engineering and Science, specialization in ICT, Scientific Field in Artificial Intelligence, within three months of appointment. The following admission requirements apply to the PhD programme:

    The average grade for courses included in the bachelor's degree (or equivalent) should be C (or equivalent) or higher;
    	
    The average grade for courses included in the master's degree (or equivalent) should be B (or equivalent) or higher;
    	
    The master's thesis (or equivalent) should have a grade B (or equivalent) or higher when the candidate is admitted to the PhD program.

Applications from applicants who already hold a PhD will normally not be considered.

Further provisions relating to the positions as PhD Research Fellows can be found in the Regulations Concerning Terms and Conditions of Employment for the post of Post-Doctoral Research Fellow, Research Fellow, Research Assistant and Resident.

Personal qualities

Personal suitability, good communication and teamwork skills, inventiveness, and a proactive approach, will be emphasized in the evaluation as well as relevant practical experience. The PhD Research Fellow will be expected to contribute to an active research community that promotes the personal and professional growth of the doctoral candidate.

The position places great demands on the applicant’s capacity for independent goal-oriented work, ability to concentrate and attention to detail. In return, we offer the opportunity to contribute to the strategic capabilities of a world-class research organization, along with intensive PhD supervision. You will collaborate with top scientists in your field and have excellent prospects for personal development in an innovative working environment for aspiring researchers.

Applicants will be assessed on the basis of academic background and results, attainment, and any previous research and development work.

We offer
  	
    professional development in a large, exciting and socially influential organisation  	
    a positive, inclusive and diverse working environment    	
    modern facilities and a comprehensive set of welfare offers   	
    membership of the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund

More about working at UiA.

The position is remunerated according to the State Salary Scale, salary plan 17.515, code 1017 PhD Research Fellow, NOK 479 600 gross salary per year. A compulsory pension contribution to the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund is deducted from the pay according to current statutory provisions.
General information

UiA is an open and inclusive university. We believe that diversity enriches the workplace and makes us better. We, therefore, encourage qualified candidates to apply for the position independent of gender, age, cultural background, disability or an incomplete CV.

Women are strongly encouraged to apply for the position. 

The successful applicant will have rights and obligations in accordance with the current regulations for the position, and organisational changes and changes in the duties and responsibilities of the position must be expected. The engagement is to be made in accordance with the regulations in force concerning the acts relating to Control of the Export of Strategic Goods, Services and Technology. Appointment is made by the University of Agder’s Appointments Committee for Teaching and Research Positions.

Short-listed applicants will be invited for interview. With the applicant’s permission, UiA will also conduct a reference check before appointment. Read more about the employment process.

In accordance with the Freedom of Information Act § 25 (2), applicants may request that they are not identified in the open list of applicants. The University, however, reserves the right to publish the names of applicants. Applicants will be advised of the University’s intention to exercise this right. 

Application

The application and any necessary information about education and experience (including diplomas and certificates) are to be sent electronically. Use the link "Apply for this job".

The following documentation must be uploaded electronically:
    	
    CV
    	
    Certificates and/or grades for all post-secondary education, up to and including the bachelor's level
    	
    Master's degree/higher degree certificate, with a summary of the courses/subjects included in the degree; For those who are in the final stage of the Master’s education but without a Master’s degree yet, the transcripts without the results of thesis can be provided; The evaluation result of the thesis can be provided later.
    	
    Applicants with a foreign higher education must attach an official description of the grading system used at the issuing institution;
    	
    Summary (approximately 1-2 pages) of the master's thesis;
    	
    Applicants who are required to document their English proficiency must submit their TOEFL or IELTS test results (these may be forwarded after the closing date);
    	
    Summary or links to the applicant's scientific publications (if any);
    	
    A description of the candidate’s research interests and background for the project applied for

The applicant is fully responsible for submitting complete digital documentation before the closing date. All documentation must be available in a Scandinavian language or English.

Application deadline: 15.08.20

Contact

For questions about the position:
    	
    Associate Professor Lei Jiao, tel. +47 37 23 34 28, email: lei.jiao@uia.no   	
    Head of Department Folke Haugland, tel. +47 37 23 32 20, email: folke.haugland@uia.no
For questions about the application process:
    HR-Advisor Nina Rønningen, tel. +47 38 14 20 16, e-mail nina.ronningen@uia.no

lei.jiao@uia.no; folke.haugland@uia.no; nina.ronningen@uia.no