PhD Position on Machine Learning for Automated Reasoning

Faculty/Services: Faculty of Science

Educational level: Master

Function type: PhD position

Closing date: 11 March 2024

Vacancy number: 12592

Are you interested to work, in an interdisciplinary research setting, on topics at the intersection of logic, machine learning and automated reasoning? The Institute for Logic, Language and Computation (ILLC) is looking for a talented PhD candidate. Your research will be part of the Theoretical Computer Science unit of the ILLC, and will concern use of machine learning for automated reasoning (such as mathematical theorem proving and/or declarative constraint-based reasoning).

What are you going to do?

You will be expected to:

• complete and defend a PhD thesis within the official appointment duration of four years;

• present research results regularly at international workshops and conferences, and to publish them in conference proceedings and journals;

• participate in and to contribute to the organisation of research activities and events at the Institute, such as workshops and colloquia;

• make a small contribution to the FNWI’s educational mission, by working as a teaching assistant for courses in your area of expertise and by assisting with the supervision of students’ research projects;

• Contribute to UvA’s research programme on artificial intelligence.

What do we require?

• a Master in a relevant field such as computer science, artificial intelligence, logic, or mathematics (note that holding a Master’s degree is not required at the time of the application, but will be a requirement for employment);

• an excellent academic track record;

• a serious interest in pursuing fundamental research in artificial intelligence,

• prior experience with machine learning (e.g., graph neural networks, large language models) from a practical or a theoretical angle, as well as prior experience with logical reasoning techniques, constraint solving, and/or interactive theorem provers (e.g., lean).

• good writing and presentation skills;

• good social and organisational skills;

• full professional proficiency in spoken and written English.

Our offer

A temporary contract for 38 hours per week for the duration of 4 years (the initial contract will be for a period of 18 months and after satisfactory evaluation it will be extended for a total duration of 4 years). This should lead to a dissertation (PhD thesis). We will draft an educational plan that includes attendance of courses and (international) meetings. We also expect you to assist in teaching undergraduates and master students.

The gross monthly salary, based on 38 hours per week and dependent on relevant experience, ranges between € 2,541 to € 3,247 (scale P). This does not include 8% holiday allowance and 8,3% year-end allowance. The UFO profile PhD candidate is applicable. A favourable tax agreement, the ‘30% ruling’, may apply to non-Dutch applicants. The Collective Labour Agreement of Universities of the Netherlands is applicable.

Besides the salary and a vibrant and challenging environment at Science Park we offer you multiple fringe benefits:

• 232 holiday hours per year (based on fulltime) and extra holidays between Christmas and 1 January;

• multiple courses to follow from our Teaching and Learning Centre;

• a complete educational program for PhD students;

• multiple courses on topics such as leadership for academic staff;

• multiple courses on topics such as time management, handling stress and an online learning platform with 100+ different courses;

• 7 weeks birth leave (partner leave) with 100% salary;

• partly paid parental leave;

• the possibility to set up a workplace at home;

• a pension at ABP for which UvA pays two third part of the contribution;

• the possibility to follow courses to learn Dutch;

• help with housing for a studio or small apartment when you’re moving from abroad.

Are you curious to read more about our extensive package of secondary employment benefits, take a look here.

About us

The University of Amsterdam is the Netherlands' largest university, offering the widest range of academic programmes. At the UvA, 30,000 students, 6,000 staff members and 3,000 PhD candidates study and work in a diverse range of fields, connected by a culture of curiosity.

The Faculty of Science has a student body of around 8,000, as well as 1,800 members of staff working in education, research or support services. Researchers and students at the Faculty of Science are fascinated by every aspect of how the world works, be it elementary particles, the birth of the universe or the functioning of the brain.

The Institute for Logic, Language and Computation (ILLC) is a research institute at the UvA in which researchers from the Faculty of Science and the Faculty of Humanities collaborate. Its central research area is the study of fundamental principles of encoding, transmission, and comprehension of information. Research at ILLC is interdisciplinary and aims at bringing together insights from various disciplines concerned with information and information processing, such as logic, mathematics, computer science, linguistics, natural language processing, cognitive science, artificial intelligence, music cognition, and philosophy.

Want to know more about our organisation? Read more about working at the University of Amsterdam.

Any questions?

Do you have any questions, or do you require additional information? Please contact:

• Dr. Balder ten Cate: b.d.tencate@uva.nl

Job application

If you feel the profile fits you, and you are interested in the job, we look forward to receiving your application. You can apply online via the button below. We accept applications until and including 11 March 2024.

A knowledge security check can be part of the selection procedure.
(for details: national knowledge security guidelines)

Only complete applications received within the response period via the link below will be considered.

Applications should include the following information (all files besides your cv should be submitted in one single pdf file):

• a detailed CV including the months (not just years) when referring to your education and work experience;

• a letter of motivation of up to two pages;

• a list of all Bachelor- and Master-level courses you have taken, with an official transcript of grades;

• a copy of your most recent academic writing (your Master’s thesis if completed, otherwise your Bachelor’s thesis, seminar or term paper, or any scientific publication);

• the names and email addresses of two references who can provide letters of recommendation upon request.

Interviews will be held in April.

The UvA is an equal-opportunity employer. We prioritise diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for everyone. We value a spirit of enquiry and perseverance, provide the space to keep asking questions, and promote a culture of curiosity and creativity.

If you encounter Error GBB451, reach out to our HR Department directly. They will gladly help you continue your application.