Are you passionate about explainable AI? DTU Compute's Section for Cognitive Systems invites applications for a 3-year PhD position to investigate the properties of deep learning representations and improve their interactivity.

Make AI explanations more understandable  
Machine learning algorithms often appear as complex black boxes and much research goes into visualizing the hidden representations learned from data. The communication aspect of explainable AI has so far attracted less attention. Do you want to help us make learned representations more interactive? 

The Cognitive Spaces project aims at making AI explanations more understandable, robust and trustworthy. Your part of the project will be to align representations better with cognitive processes and effectively let the algorithms speak the user’s language and demonstrate real-world usability. Our primary application area is modeling and decision making based on electric brain waves (EEG). 

Master in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Applied Mathematics or equivalent
We are looking for applicants with:

• Experience in Python
• Experience with deep learning frameworks
• Interest in design and user test of explainable AI systems
• Interest in EEG
• High level of motivation and innovation
• Excellent communication skills in English

The research area is very active with many possibilities for collaboration and networking within academia, hospitals and there is a thriving start-up scene.

The scholarship is funded by a Novo Nordisk Foundation data science grant: Cognitive Spaces – next generation explainability. 

You must have a two-year master's degree (120 ECTS points) or a similar degree with an academic level equivalent to a two-year master's degree.

Approval and Enrolment 
The scholarship for the PhD degree is subject to academic approval, and the candidate will be enrolled in one of the general degree programmes at DTU. For information about our enrolment requirements and the general planning of the PhD study programme, please see DTU's rules for the PhD education. 

Assessment
The assessment of the applicants will be made by Professor Lars Kai Hansen.

We offer
DTU is a leading technical university globally recognized for the excellence of its research, education, innovation and scientific advice. We offer a rewarding and challenging job in an international environment. We strive for academic excellence in an environment characterized by collegial respect and academic freedom tempered by responsibility.

Salary and appointment terms
The appointment will be based on the collective agreement with the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations. The allowance will be agreed upon with the relevant union. 

The period of employment is 3 years. The starting date is according to mutual agreement. The position is full-time.

You can read more about career paths at DTU here.

Further information
Further information may be obtained from the project’s main supervisor, prof. Lars Kai Hansen, lkai@dtu.dk.

You can read more about our department DTU Compute at www.compute.dtu.dk. 

If you are applying from abroad, you may find useful information on working in Denmark and at DTU at DTU – Moving to Denmark. Furthermore, you have the option of joining our monthly free seminar “PhD relocation to Denmark and startup “Zoom” seminar” for all questions regarding the practical matters of moving to Denmark and working as a PhD at DTU. 

Application procedure 
Your complete online application must be submitted no later than 30 November 2024 (23:59 Danish time). Applications must be submitted as one PDF file containing all materials to be given consideration. To apply, please open the link "Apply now", fill out the online application form, and attach all your materials in English in one PDF file. The file must include:

• A letter motivating the application (cover letter)
• Curriculum vitae 
• Grade transcripts and BSc/MSc diploma (in English) including official description of grading scale

You may apply prior to ob­tai­ning your master's degree but cannot begin before having received it. 

Applications received after the deadline will not be considered.

All interested candidates irrespective of age, gender, disability, race, religion or ethnic background are encouraged to apply. As DTU works with research in critical technology, which is subject to special rules for security and export control, open-source background checks may be conducted on qualified candidates for the position.

Department of Applied Mathematics and Computer Science - DTU Compute
DTU Compute is a unique and internationally recognized academic department with 385 employees and 11 research sections spanning the science disciplines mathematics, statistics, computer science, and engineering. We conduct research, teaching and innovation of high international standard – producing new knowledge and technology-based solutions to societal challenges. We have a long-term involvement in applied and interdisciplinary research, artificial intelligence (AI), internet of things (IoT), smart and secure societies, smart manufacturing, and life science. At DTU Compute we believe in a diverse workplace with a flexible work-life balance.

Technology for people
DTU develops technology for people. With our international elite research and study programmes, we are helping to create a better world and to solve the global challenges formulated in the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Hans Christian Ørsted founded DTU in 1829 with a clear mission to develop and create value using science and engineering to benefit society. That mission lives on today. DTU has 13,500 students and 6,000 employees. We work in an international atmosphere and have an inclusive, evolving, and informal working environment. DTU has campuses in all parts of Denmark and in Greenland, and we collaborate with the best universities around the world.