Research Associate (Postdoc) on applied machine-learning and software engineering

SnT is a leading international research and innovation centre in secure, reliable and trustworthy ICT systems and services. We play an instrumental role in Luxembourg by fueling innovation through research partnerships with industry, boosting R&D investments leading to economic growth, and attracting highly qualified talent.

We’re looking for people driven by excellence, excited about innovation, and looking to make a difference. If this sounds like you, you’ve come to the right place!

The Interdisciplinary Centre for Security, Reliability and Trust (SnT) invites applications from PhD holders in the general areas of Engineering, Robotics and Computer Science. SnT is carrying out interdisciplinary research in secure, reliable and trustworthy ICT systems and services, often in collaboration with industrial, governmental or international partners.  For further information you may check: www.securityandtrust.lu.

As the successful candidate, you will join the Security, Reasoning and Validation (SeRVal) group of the SnT, under the supervision of Prof. Yves Le Traon and Dr. Maxime Cordy, working on a research collaboration between STATEC (the national statistical institute of Luxembourg) and SnT. STATEC is investigating to what extent data science and machine learning could contribute to improve their internal processes and statistical analyses. The special case of large-size datasets, typically arising from high frequency automated recording of human activites, and the way to extract its statistical essence, is of high importance the institute. Among various use cases, STATEC is particularly interested in conducting an in-depth analysis of fine-grained mobile phone data for various applications (e.g. impact of COVID-19 on behaviours and sanitary and economical impact, home-work commuting, mobility of cross-border workers or tourists).

You will help STATEC in capacity building in data science (DS)/machine learning for official statistics.

Your Role...

You will contribute to research work in the area of applied machine-learning (ML) and software engineering (SE). The topics that may be explored include (but are not limited to):

• Contributing to theories, techniques and tools to ensure the secure, efficient and robust deployment and evolution of ML systems
• Applying DS and ML techniques to topics of interest for STATEC, such as:
  • Deriving statistically sound indicators from mobile phone data
  • Handwriting recognition for paper questionnaires in surveys
  • Text mining
  • From scanner data to price index categories
  • Nowcasting, e.g. with random forests
• Suggest relevant DS and ML techniques for tackling the above mentioned (or similar) topics
• Teaching and fostering interest in DS and ML at the level of the institute
• Publishing your research contribution in top-venues in the fields of ML and SE

The results of the project are expected to apply to multiple use cases, even if the main used case is related to mobile phone data, in collaboration with partners of the group. Depending on your profile, the project can focus more on theory, development and/or applications. However, all three aspects are expected to be covered during the project.

The Supervision Team You Will Be Working With Is

• Maxime Cordy: daily advisor
• Yves Le Traon: head of SerVal

You Will Be Required To Perform The Following Tasks

• Carrying out research in the predefined areas
• Teaching and fostering interest in DS and ML at the level of STATEC
• Survey the scientific literature in the relevant research domains
• Disseminating results through scientific publications
• Communicate and closely work with the partner to collect requirements and report results
• Implement proof-of-concept software tools

Your Profile...

Qualification: The candidate should possess a PhD in Computer Science.

Experience : The ideal candidate should have some knowledge and/or experience in a number of the following topics:

• Software engineering
• Data science
• Machine learning and AI
• Algorithmic complexity and scalability

Strong software development skills are mandatory.

Language Skills: Fluent written and verbal communication skills in English or French are required.

Here’s what awaits you at SnT...

• A stimulating learning environment.Here post-docs and professors outnumber PhD students. That translates into access and close collaborations with some of the brightest ICT researchers, giving you solid guidance
• Exciting infrastructures and unique labs.At SnT’s two campuses, our researchers can take a walk on the moon at the LunaLab, build a nanosatellite, or help make autonomous vehicles even better
• The right place for IMPACT. SnT researchers engage in demand-driven projects. Through our Partnership Programme, we work on projects with more than 45 industry partners
• Multiple funding sources for your ideas. The University supports researchers to acquire funding from national, European and private sources
• Competitive salary.
• Be part of a multicultural family. At SnT we have more than 60 nationalities. Throughout the year, we organise team-building events, networking activities and more

Find out more about us!

Students can take advantage of several opportunities for growth and career development, from free language classes to career resources and extracurricular activities.

In Short...

• Contract Type: Befristeter Vertrag 24 Monat, extension possible up to the total of 5 years
• Work Hours: Vollzeit 40.0 Stunden pro Woche
• Location: Kirchberg (Esch/Belval from 1^st January 2024)
• Job Reference: UOL04502

How to apply...

Applications should include:

• Full CV, including list of publications and name (and email address, etc) of three referees
• Transcript of all modules and results from university-level courses taken
• Research statement and topics of particular interest to the candidate (300 words)
• Motivation letter

All qualified individuals are encouraged to apply.

Early application is highly encouraged, as the applications will be processed upon reception. Please apply ONLINE formally through the HR system. Applications by Email will not be considered.

The University of Luxembourg embraces inclusion and diversity as key values. We are fully committed to removing any discriminatory barrier related to gender, and not only, in recruitment and career progression of our staff.

About the University of Luxembourg...

University of Luxembourg is an international research university with a distinctly multilingual and interdisciplinary character. The University was founded in 2003 and counts more than 6,700 students and more than 2,000 employees from around the world. The University’s faculties and interdisciplinary centres focus on research in the areas of Computer Science and ICT Security, Materials Science, European and International Law, Finance and Financial Innovation, Education, Contemporary and Digital History. In addition, the University focuses on cross-disciplinary research in the areas of Data Modelling and Simulation as well as Health and System Biomedicine. Times Higher Education ranks the University of Luxembourg #3 worldwide for its “international outlook,” #20 in the Young University Ranking 2021 and among the top 250 universities worldwide.

Further information

For further information, please contact us at maxime.cordy@uni.lu or yves.letraon@uni.lu