Are you interested in finding out how geometry can improve the effectiveness of deep learning with complex data structures and problems? We are looking for two PhD students interested in investigating geometric structure in data (e.g., structure of signals and shapes), machine learning architectures (e.g., group convolutional neural networks, graph neural networks, and representation embeddings), and scientific problems (e.g., with symmetry/equivariance constraints). You will employ the obtained insights to develop machine learning techniques that enable learning-based engineering for new data types and problems, and improve upon existing approaches on a fundamental level.

The primary focus of this project is on the analysis of medical image data for its variety of complex data structures and problems that could benefit from a deep geometric understanding of the data and underlying anatomical structures (e.g. shapes, texture and context). Although this is a core focus, you are encouraged to explore and demonstrate the broader applicability of geometric machine learning beyond medical image analysis, e.g., in computer vision, physics, molecular sciences, and scientific computing.

You are going to carry out research under the supervision of dr Erik Bekkers at the Amsterdam Machine Learning Lab (AMLab) of the Informatics Institute.

What are you going to do?

You are expected to:

• invent, evaluate, and describe novel algorithms for the analysis of data based on geometric methods;
• present research results at international conferences, workshops, and journals;
• become an active member of the research community and collaborate with other researchers, both within and outside the Informatics Institute;
• pursue, complete, and defend a PhD thesis within the contract duration of four years;
• assist in teaching activities, such as teaching labs and tutorials or supervising bachelor and master students.

• A Master’s degree (or close to obtaining one) in Artificial Intelligence, Applied Mathematics, Computer Science, Biomedical Engineering, Physics, or a closely related field;
• A strong scientific and mathematical background in machine learning, deep learning, medical image analysis or computer vision;
• You are eager to tackle challenging scientific problems and gain in-depth understanding of complex geometric problems;
• Good programming skills, experience with Python and deep learning toolkits is preferred;
• You are able to work well in teams and communicate fluently in written and spoken English.

Creativity and intrinsic motivation are greatly appreciated!

Our offer

A temporary contract, preferably starting as soon as possible (but flexible), for 38 hours per week for the duration of 18 months. After a satisfactory evaluation the contract will be extended by 30 months and should lead to a dissertation (PhD thesis). You will get a customized Training and Supervision Plan, that will be evaluated every year.

The salary, depending on relevant experience before the beginning of the employment contract, will be €2,325 to €2,972 (scale P) gross per month, based on full-time employment (38 hours a week). These amounts are exclusive 8 % holiday allowance and 8,3 % end-of-year bonus. A favorable tax agreement, the ‘30% ruling’, may apply to non-Dutch applicants. The Collective Labour Agreement of Dutch Universities is applicable.

Are you curious about our extensive package of secondary employment benefits like our excellent opportunities for study and development? Then find out more about working at the Faculty of Science.

University of Amsterdam

With over 5,000 employees, 30,000 students and a budget of more than 600 million euros, the University of Amsterdam (UvA) is an intellectual hub within the Netherlands. Teaching and research at the UvA are conducted within seven faculties: Humanities, Social and Behavioural Sciences, Economics and Business, Law, Science, Medicine and Dentistry. Housed on four city campuses in or near the heart of Amsterdam, where disciplines come together and interact, the faculties have close links with thousands of researchers and hundreds of institutions at home and abroad.  

The UvA’s students and employees are independent thinkers, competent rebels who dare to question dogmas and aren’t satisfied with easy answers and standard solutions. To work at the UvA is to work in an independent, creative, innovative and international climate characterised by an open atmosphere and a genuine engagement with the city of Amsterdam and society.

Faculty of Science – Informatics Institute

The Faculty of Science has a student body of around 6,500, as well as 1,600 members of staff working in education, research or support services. Researchers and students at the Faculty of Science are fascinated by every aspect of how the world works, be it elementary particles, the birth of the universe or the functioning of the brain.