Information about the department and the project

The Department of Mathematical Sciences at Chalmers University of Technology and the University of Gothenburg has about 200 employees and is one of the largest departments of mathematical sciences in the Nordic countries. The department consists of three divisions: Division of Algebra and Geometry, Division of Analysis and Probability, and Division of Applied Mathematics and Statistics.

We contribute in a significant way to society by extensive research and education. The environment is supportive, stimulating, and international, and with a continuous flow of international guests. More information about us is available on the website: https://www.chalmers.se/en/departments/math/Pages/default.aspx

The expansion of Artificial Intelligence (AI), in the broad sense, is one of the most exciting developments of the 21st century. This progress opens many possibilities but also poses some grand challenges. The center "Wallenberg AI, Autonomous Systems and Software Program" (WASP) has launched a program to develop the mathematical side of this area. The aim is to promote the competence of Sweden as a nation within the area of AI. The WASP program has given us the possibility of recruiting an Assistant Professor to strengthen our research in the mathematics of AI.

The position has a strong focus on research. It also comes with an attractive package which includes funding for hiring two postdocs and a doctoral student as well as for travelling.

Specific subject description

We seek to hire a tenure track Assistant Professor to work with research within the frame of the national effort on AI, with emphasis on the increasing and significant connection between machine learning and well-developed mathematical theories such as geometry, group theory and representation theory. This is encompassed by the umbrella term geometric deep learning. Interest in exploring connections between machine learning and other related areas that are studied at the department is meritorious.

You will be working in a dynamical and rapidly growing research environment centering around mathematical aspects of AI. The research area "Artificial Intelligence at Mathematical Sciences" (AI@MS) is now one of the largest focus areas at the department, including several PhD students within WASP-AI. You will be part of the newly formed research group on Geometric Deep Learning, which is a rapidly growing field that explores the mathematical structures of deep learning from a geometric point of view. The collected mathematical expertise at the Department of Mathematical Sciences is essential for the research environment related to geometric deep learning. A sample of other AI-related research projects includes sensitivity analysis for neural networks, machine learning and stochastic PDEs, and shape learning. From a mathematical standpoint, the research in geometric deep learning is also connected to other areas at the department, including analysis, complex geometry, group theory, representation theory, and optimization, leading to ample opportunities for cross-fertilizations. Therefore, you will have excellent opportunities to develop your mathematical research in many different directions.

Major responsibilities

The work tasks mainly consist of research in mathematics as well as supervision of the postdocs and doctoral student associated with the position. You will be encouraged to formulate your own research program within the indicated research field, as well as the research projects of the postdoc and the doctoral student. Experience in international research collaborations is meritorious.

The duties also include teaching, and possibly outreach activities, up to a total of 20%. You should display initiative in seeking challenges and opportunities for developing yourself. Many of your duties will be carried out together with others, so you must have good collaboration skills. If you have no courses in university teacher’s training you are supposed to take such courses within two years from the start of the employment.

The appointment as Assistant Professor is a four-year, entry-level, faculty position with tenure track, whereby you will acquire both pedagogical and research qualifications. An Assistant Professor is expected to improve their ability to formulate and solve scientific problems, to publish scientific articles, and to develop their skills in teaching and supervision, by means of both practical training and independent study. The aim is to achieve the level of Associate Professor within four years and, if successful, the employee will be offered a permanent faculty position at Chalmers.

The applicant need to have a doctoral degree (not older than 7 years prior to the application deadline**) in mathematics or some other relevant field and have a demonstrated ability to publish in highly ranked journals or conference proceedings relevant to the field and the specific subject description. Since we have a strong collaborative research culture we look for a candidate who can contribute to existing research focus as well as develop new areas. Demonstrated ability to create a national and international network within the subject area, for example through co-authoring, is also a requirement.

We conduct education on undergraduate and graduate levels, as well as in professional education. The candidate is expected to be involved in teaching. In the evaluation of the candidate, emphasis will be put on research qualifications, but pedagogical merits will also play an important role.

Meritorious qualifications for the position are:

- While a post-doctoral stay or equivalent experience is expected, it is a merit if it was at another univeristy, institute or organization than where the doctoral studies were performed.

- Experience of course development or program management.

- Shown ability to attract external funding.

- Teamwork skills to work closely and collaboratively with colleagues and external partners

- Active engagement in the wider research community

**The date shown in your doctoral degree certificate is the date we use, as this is the date you have met all requirements for the doctoral degree. Exceptions are made if the candidate has been on parental leave or leave due to illness or military service.

The position requires sound verbal and written communication skills in English. As Chalmers undergraduate education is held in Swedish, and Swedish is the administrative working language at the university, Chalmers offers Swedish courses for non-Swedish speaking staff.

Chalmers offers a cultivating and inspiring working environment in the coastal city of Gothenburg.

Read more about working at Chalmers and our benefits for employees.

Chalmers aims to actively improve our gender balance. We work broadly with equality projects, for example the GENIE Initiative on gender equality for excellence. Equality and diversity are substantial foundations in all activities at Chalmers.

Application procedure

The application should be marked with Ref 20220175 and written in English. The application should be sent electronically and be attached as pdf-files, as below:

Personal letter: (Please name the document as: Personal letter, Family name, Ref. number)

One page where you:

- Introduce yourself

- Describe your motivation for applying to this position and what attracts you about Chalmers

- Describe how you support your colleagues and bring about a good working environment

- Include names and full contact information of two references that we can contact

CV: (Please name the document as: CV, Family name, Ref. number)

- Your CV (guidelines that include Chalmers expectations of the content of your CV are found here).

- Include a list of publications (also see the CV guidelines)

Research and teaching statement: (Please name the document as: Research statement, Family name, Ref. number)

One to three pages where you:

- Describe your previous research and teaching experience and focus

- State your future research and teaching goals and focus

- Describe how you complement our existing competences and how you could create synergies between our existing research groups

Required documents:

- Certificate or Diploma verifying your doctoral degree

- Verification of leave, if relevant

- Documents verifying awards and recognitions stated in your CV, leadership or teaching activities, etc, and other documents relevant to support your application

- Copies of a maximum of five relevant publications that cannot be accessed via your ORCID, Scopus ID or ResearcherID, if relevant

Please use the button at the foot of the page to reach the application form.

The files may be compressed (zipped).

Application deadline: 3rd June, 2022

For questions, please contact: Professor Bernt Wennberg, Head of Department E-mail: wennberg@chalmers.se