The successful candidate will conduct research in human activity recognition using a variety of sensors (e.g. RGB and/or depth cameras, wearable sensors) and the latest AI, as well as context-related information and medical data that will become available. This research is to be utilized in a novel decision support system, which will be used by doctors and caregivers of senior citizens affected by Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s and other dementias and comorbidities. The PhD candidate will work within the context of a large-scale, multi-disciplinary European H2020 Project, which is in final agreement phase and expected to commence in January 2020. The project will design new tools for integrated care by means of efficient and cost-effective ICT tools.

The position is embedded in the current Robots, Agents and Interaction group (RAI) of DKE and the soon to be established Affective and Visual Computing Lab (AVCL). The group consists of Associate & Assistant Professors, postdoctoral researchers, PhD candidates and master/bachelor students. The RAI group works together closely on a day-to-day basis, to exchange knowledge, ideas, and research advancements. We conduct both fundamental and applied research, with a focus on automated human behavior understanding.

The full-time position is offered for a duration of four years  (first year + three years after receiving a positive evaluation).

1. A master’s degree (completed, or to be completed shortly) in computer vision, machine learning, artificial intelligence, or a closely related field;

2. Good programming skills (esp. Python);

3. Solid interest in, and proven experience with, the latest advances in AI: especially in the field of Deep Learning (e.g. through publications, projects, etc.);

4. Willingness to publish in top venues in the field;

5. Fluent English language skills;

6. Team spirit. A large team will work on the project, both within DKE, as well as in other institutes in Europe;

7. Good presentation, communication and organization skills.

Fixed-term contract: A PhD candidate appointment lasts four years (first year + three years after receiving a positive evaluation).

The salary will be set in PhD salary scale of the Collective Labour Agreement of the Dutch Universities (€2.325 gross per month in first year to €2.972 in the fourth and final year). On top of this, there is an 8% holiday and an 8.3% year-end allowance. The terms of employment of Maastricht University are set out in the Collective Labour Agreement of Dutch Universities (CAO). Furthermore, local UM provisions also apply. Non-Dutch applicants could be eligible for a favorable tax treatment (30% rule).

Maastricht university

Maastricht University (UM) has around 18,000 students and 4,300 employees. Reflecting the university's strong international profile, a fair amount of both students and staff are from abroad. Research at UM is characterized by a multidisciplinary and thematic approach, and is concentrated in research institutes and schools. UM is renowned for its unique, innovative, problem-based learning system, which is characterized by a small-scale and student-oriented approach. UM placed #10 in Times Higher Education’s (THE) Young Universities Ranking 2019, and #127 in THE’s World University Rankings 2020.

**** DEPARTMENT

The Department of Data Science and Knowledge Engineering. Founded in 1992, we are a fast-growing department undertaking internationally respected research in the areas of computer science, human-machine interaction, artificial intelligence and applied mathematics. Much of our research takes place at the interfaces of these disciplines. We maintain a large network of industry partners and provide education through one bachelor’s programme and two master’s programmes, all of which are nationally ranked #1 in their cohort according to the most recent education rankings.

Situated in the heart of Europe and within 30 kilometers from the German and Belgian borders, Maastricht and its 120,000 inhabitants have a strong international character. It is a safe, vibrant city with a history spanning more than 2,000 years. The city’s rich past is reflected everywhere in the streets: the ratio of monuments-to-inhabitants is roughly 1:73. If you are unfamiliar with the Netherlands, UM’s Knowledge Centre for International Staff will gladly assist you with practical matters such as housing.

Our new colleague(s) will be joining a tight-knit department consisting of ~50 principal investigators, postdocs and PhD students, >600 BSc and MSc students and a team of 12 dedicated support staff members. Together, we come from over 40 different countries.

https://www.maastrichtuniversity.nl/dke

STEM research in Maastricht. DKE is embedded in the equally thriving Faculty of Science and Engineering. It’s exciting times for STEM research in the region of Zuid-Limburg, where Maastricht University (UM) is situated. For example, UM recently joined the Einstein Telescope Partnership coalition, which will bring STEM challenges to our doorstep through construction of the ET Pathfinder prototype in the near future. Furthermore, Zuid-Limburg is a hub for the high-tech industry. Maastricht University participates in the four regional Brightlands campuses: local tech ecosystems where fundamental and applied research, state-of-the-art facilities, industry partners and students meet. In addition, the university itself offers no shortage of inspiring collaborators through our international network and the five other faculties of UM.

https://www.maastrichtuniversity.nl/fse

**** INSTITUTIONAL CONTEXT
RAI group:

https://project.dke.maastrichtuniversity.nl/RAI/