The University of Amsterdam (UvA) and TomTom have started a new research lab called "ATLAS Lab" consisting of one Tenure Track Assistant Professor and 6 PhD students. The focus of the new lab is on developing advanced, highly accurate and safe maps for automated vehicles (HD maps), using Artificial Intelligence. These HD maps include detailed geometric and semantic representations of elements in a road networks, such as lane dividers, traffic signs, traffic lights, junctions, etc. The ATLAS Lab is a research collaboration between UvA and TomTom (location Amsterdam), and is part of ICAI, the national Innovation Centre for AI, based in the Amsterdam Science Park.

For our new lab, we are seeking a PhD candidate in the field of computer vision and deep learning. Topics include (3D) object detection and segmentation within a diverse set of learning paradigms (e.g. weakly/ semi/ self-supervised), and quantifying uncertainty. Sensor data is assumed to be multi-modal and may include RGB, RGB-D, LiDAR, and positional sensors. You will be working on fundamental aspects of deep learning models and algorithms.

What are you going to do

You are going to carry out computer vision and machine learning research as part of the Atlas lab (in total 6 PhD students of which 4 of them are already hired) at the University of Amsterdam. There will also be regular visits to and interactions with researchers at TomTom (Amsterdam). At the University of Amsterdam, you will be supervised by prof. Gevers.

Tasks and responsibilities:

• Develop new machine learning methods within the context of computer vision;
• Collaborate with other researchers within the lab and TomTom;
• Complete and defend a PhD thesis within the official appointment duration of four years;
• Regularly present intermediate research results at international conferences and workshops, and publish them in proceedings and journals;
• Assist in relevant teaching activities.

Your experience and profile:

• A Master's degree in Artificial Intelligence, Computer Science, or related field;
• A strong background in computer vision and machine learning;
• Excellent programming skills preferably in Python;
• Solid mathematics foundations, especially statistics, calculus and linear algebra;
• You are highly motivated and creative;
• Strong communication, presentation and writing skills and excellent command of English.

A temporary contract for 38 hours per week for the duration of 4 years (the initial contract will be for a period of 18 months and after satisfactory evaluation it will be extended for a total duration of 4 years). The preferred starting date is as soon as possible and not later than December 2022. This should lead to a dissertation (PhD thesis). We will draft an educational plan that includes attendance of courses and (international) meetings. We also expect you to assist in teaching undergraduates and master students.

The gross monthly salary, based on 38 hours per week, ranges between € 2,541 in the first year to € 3,247 in the last year (scale P). This does not include the 8% holiday allowance and the 8,3% year-end allowance the UvA offers. The UFO profile PhD Candidate is applicable. A favourable tax agreement, the '30% ruling', may apply to non-Dutch applicants. The Collective Labour Agreement of Universities of the Netherlands is applicable.

Besides the salary and a vibrant and challenging environment at Science Park we offer you multiple fringe benefits:

• 232 holiday hours per year (based on fulltime);
• Multiple courses to follow from our Teaching and Learning Centre;
• A complete educational program for PhD students;
• Multiple courses on topics such as time management, handling stress and an online learning platform with 100+ different courses;
• 7 weeks birth leave (partner leave) with 100% salary;
• Partly paid parental leave;
• The possibility to set up a workplace at home;
• A pension at ABP for which UvA pays two third part of the contribution;
• The possibility to follow courses to learn Dutch;
• Help with housing for a studio or small apartment when you're moving from abroad.

Are you curious to read more about our extensive package of secondary employment benefits, take a look here.

Faculty of Science

The University of Amsterdam is the Netherlands' largest university, offering the widest range of academic programmes. At the UvA, 30,000 students, 6,000 staff members and 3,000 PhD candidates study and work in a diverse range of fields, connected by a culture of curiosity.

The Faculty of Science has a student body of around 8,000, as well as 1,800 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.

The mission of the Informatics Institute (IvI) is to perform curiosity-driven and use-inspired fundamental research in Computer Science. The main research themes are Artificial Intelligence, Computational Science and Systems and Network Engineering. Our research involves complex information systems at large, with a focus on collaborative, data driven, computational and intelligent systems, all with a strong interactive component.

The Atlas Lab is embedded in the Video & Image Sense (VIS) and Computer Vision (CV) Labs, two groups within the Informatics Institute working on visual recognition and retrieval. Each project will be done in collaboration with experts from TomTom. The lab will be part of the Innovation Center for Artificial Intelligence (ICAI), a Netherlands initiative focused on joint technology development between academia, industry and government in the area of artificial intelligence.