PhD studentship in Machine Learning with Context – The University of Edinburgh

Deadline 30^th April 2023 or until position is filled

One fully funded PhD position to work with Dr Henry Gouk in the School of Informatics at the University of Edinburgh, on a projected titled “Machine Learning with Context”.

The aim of this project is to develop and analyse machine learning systems that can seek out and/or leverage extra contextual information about the task(s) to be solved, thus enabling one to learn more robust models with less data. Such contextual information could include examples of good models for related tasks, natural language descriptions of the phenomena being modelled, knowledge of underlying causal mechanisms, or other meta-data associated with tasks. Applicants are welcome to propose their own topic within this broad area.

The successful candidate will also have the opportunity to collaborate with the Machine Intelligence Group and the Bayesian and Neural Systems group.

Candidate’s profile

• Experience programming in python and using associated machine learning frameworks
• Mathematically mature
• A good Bachelor’s Hons degree (2.1 or above, or international equivalent) and/or Master’s degree in a relevant subject (physics, mathematics, engineering, computer science, or related subject)
• Proficiency in English (both oral and written)
• Knowledge of statistical learning theory is highly desirable

Studentship and eligibility

The studentship covers:

• Full time PhD tuition fees for a student with a Home fee status (£4,596 per annum) or overseas fee status (£29,700 per annum)
• A tax free stipend of GBP £17,668 per year for 3.5 years.
• Additional programme costs of £1000 per year.

Application Information

Applicants should apply via the University’s admissions portal (EUCLID) and apply for the following programme: PhD Informatics: ANC: Machine Learning, Computational Neuroscience, Computational Biology – 3 years (Full-time) with a start date of 1^st January 2024.

Applicants should state “Machine Learning with Context” and the research supervisor (Henry Gouk) in their application and Research Proposal document.

Complete applications submitted by 30 April will receive full consideration; after that date applications will be considered until the position is filled. The anticipated start date is 01 January 2024 but later start dates can be considered.

Applicants must submit:

• All degree transcripts and certificates (and certified translations if applicable).
• Evidence of English Language capability (where applicable).
• A short research proposal (max 2 pages).
• A full CV and cover letter describing your background, suitability for the PhD, and research interests (max 2 pages).
• Two references (note that it the applicant’s responsibility to ensure reference letters are received before the deadline).

Only complete applications (i.e. those that are not missing the above documentation) will progress forward to Academic Selectors for further consideration.

Environment

The School of Informatics is one of the largest in Europe and currently the top Informatics institute in the UK for research power, with 40% of its research outputs considered world-leading (top grade), and almost 50% considered top grade for societal impact. The University of Edinburgh is constantly ranked among the world’s top universities and is a highly international environment with several centres of excellence.

Apply

Dr Henry Gouk

Institute for Adaptive and Neural Computation