PhD student and postdoc positions in social computing and human-centered AI at Idiap, Switzerland F/M

About Idiap

Idiap is an independent, not-for-profit, research institute recognized and funded by the Swiss Federal Government, the State of Valais, and the City of Martigny, and is academically affiliated with EPFL and University of Geneva.

Idiap offers competitive salaries and working conditions at all levels in a dynamic, multicultural environment. Idiap is an equal opportunity employer.

Idiap is located in the town of Martigny in Valais, a scenic region in the south of Switzerland, surrounded by the highest mountains of Europe, and offering exceptional quality of life, exciting recreational activities, including hiking, climbing and skiing, as well as varied cultural activities. It is within close proximity to Lausanne and Geneva. Although Idiap is located in the French part of Switzerland, English is the official working language. Free French lessons are also provided on a complimentary basis.

For frequently asked questions (FAQs) about living in Switzerland, please go to https://www.idiap.ch/en/faq

Job description

The Social Computing Group at Idiap is seeking creative doctoral students and postdoctoral researchers for three open positions:

1: This is a position to understand the phenomenon of local news consumption and to create new computational methods for analysis, using a human-centered methodology and a variety of techniques in natural language processing and ubiquitous computing, in the context of a large European project with partners in the media sector.

2: This is a position to do research on FATE-related topics (fairness, accountability, transparency, and ethics) applied to two scenarios (mobile/social data and the media), in the context of two large European projects.

3: This is a position to design and validate computational tools to support cities in several key missions related to urban security, following a human-centered methodology embedded in a collaboration with multiple European cities and NGOs as part of a large European project.

The positions offer the opportunity to make meaningful research contributions in the domains of social computing and human-centered AI, collaborating with Prof. Daniel Gatica-Perez and a diverse group of researchers.

Sought profile

Applicants can have two orientations:

* A technical background in computer science, engineering, or information science, with experience in machine learning, data science, human-computer interaction, or ubiquitous computing. Strong programming skills (Python, C/C++, and scripting in a Linux environment) are expected. Experience with deep learning is an asset.

* A socio-technical background in human-computer interaction, information science, or digital humanities. Experience with empirical research and strong programming skills are expected.

In all cases, applicants should have a genuine interest in human-centered computing, and the desire to work on interdisciplinary projects involving partners in computing and social sciences as well as non-academic actors (cities, industry, NGOs.)

Candidates to the doctoral student positions will become PhD students at the Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), contingent upon admission by its Doctoral School. Postdoctoral researchers are expected to have a strong publication record.

Salaries are internationally competitive and starting date is immediate. Interviews will start upon reception of applications until the positions are filled.

Interested candidates are invited to submit a cover letter naming the specific position of interest and explaining the suitability of their profile, a detailed CV, and the names of three references.

Required languages

• English - Level advanced
• French - Level beginner

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