Postdoctoral Researcher (2 years) in Data Privacy and Machine Learning

Umeå Universitet · plný úvazek

Umeå universitet, Umeå, Švédsko

Umeå University is one of Sweden's largest institutions of higher education with over 41,500 students and approximately 4,600 employees. Interested in learning more? Read more about Umeå University as a workplace. Our department, which conducts research at the highest international level and offers a range of high-quality educational programs, is now seeking a postdoctoral researcher to work on data privacy methods for data-driven models. The position is full-time for two years with a start date of January 12, 2027 or by agreement. The Department of Computing Science at Umeå University is an international environment for research and education across a broad spectrum of computer science. Read more at Department of Computing Science Project Description and Responsibilities The project will develop privacy-aware machine learning (ML) models. We are interested in data-driven models for complex data, including temporal data. We are interested in both data-driven models and models based on synthetic data. Regarding privacy, we focus on various types of privacy measures and models (differential and integral privacy, k-anonymity), as well as different scenarios (centralized and decentralized data; local and global privacy). For decentralized data, we consider federated learning. We are interested in privacy-preserving machine learning at scale. Research Group The research group Privacy-aware transparency decisions, led by Professor Vicenç Torra, conducts research on data privacy for data intended for machine learning and statistical use. It is well-known that data can be highly sensitive and that naive anonymization is insufficient to prevent disclosure. Models and aggregates can also lead to disclosure as they can contain traces of the data used in the computation. We want to understand the fundamental principles that enable us to build privacy-aware AI systems and develop algorithms for this purpose. The group collaborates with several national and international research groups, is editor of one of the largest journals on data privacy (Transactions on Data Privacy), and maintains active contacts with both private and public sectors. The group collaborates with several national and international research groups in these areas and has active contacts with the private and public sector. For more information see: umu.se/en/research/groups/nausica-privacy-aware-transparent-decisions-group-/ The postdoctoral position is funded by Wallenberg AI, Autonomous Systems and Software Program, WASP, Sweden's largest individual research program in modern times. The program creates a platform for academic research and education in close collaboration with leading Swedish technology-intensive industry. The research encompasses artificial intelligence and autonomous systems that work in collaboration with humans and adapt to their environment using sensors, information and knowledge, creating intelligent systems of systems. WASP's vision is excellent research and expertise in artificial intelligence, autonomous systems and software for the benefit of Sweden's industry and society. Read more: https://wasp-sweden.org/ Qualifications To be employed under a fixed-term postdoctoral employment agreement, a doctorate degree or a foreign degree assessed as equivalent to a doctorate is required. This qualification requirement must be met by the time the employment decision is made. To be employed under the postdoctoral agreement, preference will be given to those who have obtained a degree as described in the previous paragraph within the last three years. If there are special circumstances, consideration may be given to those who obtained their doctorate earlier. Special circumstances refer to leave due to illness, parental leave, positions of trust within labor organizations, service in total defense, or other similar circumstances, as well as clinical service or service/assignments relevant to the field. A qualified applicant should have a doctorate degree or a foreign degree assessed as equivalent in computer science or another subject relevant to the project. Documented knowledge and proven research experience in the field of designing algorithms and methods for data protection and machine learning is required. It is highly meritorious to have publications at leading conferences in machine learning, security and privacy (NeurIPS, ICML, S&P, PETs, ESORICS or similar conferences). A successful candidate is expected to have a scientific and results-oriented approach to your work. Excellent knowledge of the English language, both spoken and written, is a key requirement. Application A complete application should contain: Cover letter describing your research interests and why you are applying for the advertised position. Summarize your qualifications, research interests, motivation for applying and describe the connection between your previous research and position (maximum 2 pages), Curriculum Vitae with publication list, Certified copy of your doctoral degree or documentation demonstrating when your doctorate is expected to be obtained, Certified copies of other degrees, academic course certificates and/or grades, Copy of your doctoral dissertation and maximum 5 relevant articles, Any other documents the applicant wishes to submit. Contact information for two references. The application should be written in English or Swedish. Applications are made through our electronic recruitment system. Documents submitted electronically must be in Word or PDF format. Log in to the system and apply using the button at the end of this page. The application deadline is October 11. Further information is provided by Vicenç Torra, [email protected] Umeå University wishes to offer an equal and inclusive environment where open dialogue between people with different backgrounds and perspectives provides the foundation for learning, creativity and development. We therefore welcome applications from people with diverse backgrounds and experiences for this position. To staffing and recruitment companies and to those who sell job ads: We respectfully but firmly decline direct contact from staffing and recruitment companies as well as sellers of additional job postings.