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Centrum Wiskunde & Informatica (CWI), Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e) and Leiden University (UL) have 6 vacancies within the recently approved NWO-ENW (Science domain) Groot project UNRAVEL for talented PhD students, in mathematics, physics, astronomy and computer science on the subject of Unravelling Neural Networks with Structure-Preserving Computing (UNRAVEL).
Our understanding of processes and phenomena in nature and society is being radically transformed by machine learning and the availability of data. This is evident also from the large numbers of researchers embracing deep learning as a tool. At the same time, obstacles and challenges are becoming apparent: most deep-learning approaches require large amounts of data, but in many domains such massive datasets are not available. Furthermore, the emergent behaviour of deep neural networks is usually difficult to interpret. To overcome these drawbacks, the effective use of prior knowledge is key.
The main objective of this project: revealing how neural networks can be made much more effective by incorporating mathematical and physical understanding in their design. The project aims to build a mimetic theory of neural networks that will enable their data-efficient and understandable use for scientific discovery in physics, astronomy and beyond.
To achieve this objective, it is necessary to approach the challenge from different angles. For this reason, our team consists of experts from mathematics, computer science, machine learning, physics and astronomy. The work has been organised in 6 individual projects that will work closely together (more information available from the supervisors):
Each of the topics in itself is of a ground-breaking character. The mathematically inclined projects concentrate on fundamental properties of neural networks that potentially have a big influence on future methodologies for constructing networks and for conducting scientific computational research. The fluid flows and astronomy projects concentrate on specific challenges which serve as test cases for potentially more general strategies.
As a PhD student your tasks are the following:
Candidates are required to have a Master’s degree in mathematics, physics, astronomy, computer science or a related discipline, and experience with scientific programming, e.g. Matlab, Python, C and C++. A strong background in applications, knowledge of numerical analysis, ordinary and partial differential equations, discretization techniques, machine learning and neural networks will be beneficial. Preferable qualifications for candidates include proven research talent, an excellent command of English, good academic writing and presentation skills and a creative pro-active team player.
Fixed-term contract: 18 months.
The terms of employment for the PhD student at Centrum Wiskunde & Informatica CWI (subproject 4) are in accordance with the Dutch Collective Labour Agreement for Research Centres ("CAO-onderzoeksinstellingen"). The initial labour agreement will be for a period of 18 months. After a positive evaluation, the agreement will be extended by 30 months. The gross monthly salary, for a PhD student on a full time basis, is €2,407 during the first year and increases to €3,085 over the four year period.
Employees are also entitled to a holiday allowance of 8% of the gross annual salary and a year-end bonus of 8.33%. CWI offers attractive working conditions, including flexible scheduling and help with housing for expat employees.
Please visit our website for more information about our terms of employment: https://www.cwi.nl/jobs/terms-of-employment
The terms of employment for the PhD students at Eindhoven University of Technology (subproject 1, 2, 3 and 5) and Leiden University (subproject 6) are comparable and in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement of Dutch Universities (“CAO-NU”). For more information about employment conditions:
Centrum Wiskunde & Informatica (CWI) is the Dutch national research institute for mathematics and computer science and is part of the Institutes Organisation of the Dutch Research Council (NWO). The mission of CWI is to conduct pioneering research in mathematics and computer science, generating new knowledge in these fields and conveying it to trade, industry, and society at large.
CWI is an internationally oriented institute, with 160 scientists from approximately 27 countries. The facilities are first-rate and include excellent IT support, career planning, training, and courses.
CWI is located at Science Park Amsterdam, the home of AMS-IX, that is presently developing into a major location of research in the physical sciences in the Netherlands, housing the sciences of the University of Amsterdam as well as several other national research institutes next to CWI.
To find more information about the Research group.
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