We have a vacancy for a PhD student for a project funded by the University of Groningen. Candidates are invited to write and develop their own research project within the scope of the proposed topics listed below and related ones. Being part of a cutting-edge research programme, they will receive excellent training in the form of hands-on instruction, advanced courses and summer/winterschools, complemented by workshops on generic research and transferable skills as well as teaching training. As a PhD candidate, you are committed to conduct independent and original scientific research, to report on this research in international publications and conference presentations, and to describe the results of the research in a PhD dissertation, to be completed within 4 years.

We are broadly interested in privacy-preserving machine learning (ML). Recent surge in machine learning research, in particular deep learning, paved the way for a large number of applications that feature various levels of intelligence. However, privacy is a critical concern in ML since the learning algorithms are often trained and/or executed over large amount of sensitive data. These concerns led to a line of research that aims to develop variants of learning algorithms that preserve the privacy of individuals contained in the used datasets. However, most of the existing proposals are tailored to specific ML algorithms, suffer from scalability issues and/or make strong security assumptions. In this thesis, we will look at the existing solutions that enable privacy-preserving ML and develop new ones in the most general sense. We will also look at the policy aspects of privacy, e.g. specification and verification, in the development, training and execution of ML algorithms.

Topics of interest include (but are not limited to)

- privacy-enhancing technologies: e.g. differential privacy, secure multi-party computation
- machine learning and privacy-by design principles
- privacy/security policy specification, analysis and enforcement
- formal/semi-formal methods for privacy/security analysis.

The ideal candidate will have a strong background and interest in privacy enhancing technologies, proven record of prototype implementations related to security/privacy and an outstanding MSc thesis. Publications in leading international venues related to security and privacy or involvement in international activities related to security/privacy will be an advantage.

The position is embedded in the group Information Systems under the supervision of Dr Fatih Turkmen.

Successful candidates will have completed a master’s degree (or equivalent) in Computer Science, Physics, Mathematics, Electrical Engineering or another field of science relevant for the position. They have good command of English (oral and written), are enthusiastic and have the ability to work in an interdisciplinary team, have a passion for science, are highly motivated to work in pattern recognition, big data, and/or internet of things while possessing excellent communication skills and an affinity for writing scientific papers and delivering presentations.

Fixed-term contract: 12 months.

The University of Groningen offers, in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, a salary of € 2,325 gross per month in the first year, up to a maximum of € 2,972 gross per month in the fourth and final year, based on a full-time position (1.0 FTE), excluding a holiday allowance of 8% gross annual income and a 8.3% end-of-the-year allowance. The position is limited to a period of 4 years. A PhD training programme is part of the agreement and the successful candidate will be enrolled in the Graduate School of Science and Engineering.

The successful candidate will first be offered a temporary position of one year with the option of renewal for another three years. Prolongation of the contract is contingent on sufficient progress in the first year to indicate that a successful completion of the PhD thesis within the next three years is to be expected.

Application
Applications should include:
• letter of motivation
• CV (including contact information for at least two academic references)
• transcripts from your bachelor’s and master’s degree.

The applications can be submitted until 8 April 11:59 pm / before 9 April 2019 Dutch local time by means of the application form (click on "Apply" below on the advertisement on the university website).

Unsolicited marketing is not appreciated.

Faculty of Science and Engineering

Founded in 1614, the University of Groningen enjoys an international reputation as a dynamic and innovative institution of higher education offering high-quality teaching and research. Flexible study programmes and academic career opportunities in a wide variety of disciplines encourage the 31,000 students and researchers alike to develop their own individual talents. As one of the best research universities in Europe, the University of Groningen has joined forces with other top universities and networks worldwide to become a truly global centre of knowledge.

Within the Faculty of Science and Engineering, a 4-years PhD position is available at the Bernoulli Institute for Mathematics, Computer Science and Artificial of the University of Groningen in the Netherlands

The Bernoulli Institute for Mathematics, Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence is an innovative and research-driven institute in the Zernike campus. Quality has been a top priority and as a consequence the institute has a strong international reputation. In 2017, Prof. Ben Feringa from the Faculty of Science and Engineering was awarded a Nobel Prize. The city of Groningen is a vibrant students’ city with many ongoing cultural activities. For more details please visit the University website: www.rug.nl