Faculty of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering, Biomimetics and Intelligent Systems

The University of Oulu is one of the biggest and most multidisciplinary universities in Finland. We create new knowledge and innovations that help to solve global challenges. We offer you an international and inspiring working environment where you are given responsibility and can use your skills, develop yourself and do work that matters. Our flexible and family-friendly workplace makes it easy for you to balance work and leisure. The University of Oulu is ranked in the top 3% of the world´s universities.

University of Oulu has allocated twenty (20) 4-year doctoral researcher positions to the emerging research themes in association with the four focus institutes Biocenter Oulu, Eudaimonia Institute, Infotech Oulu and Kvantum Institute. The Emerging projects in the strategic focus areas will connect multidisciplinary research across disciplines with the spearhead projects of the University of Oulu.  

We are now looking for full-time

Doctoral researcher

for a maximum of four years in a research project of Docent Juha Partala in the Faculty of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering. The applied position is under the Emerging projects programme 2023-2026 within the context of Infotech Oulu, which offers a high-level international multidisciplinary environment supplied with cutting-edge infrastructures in the strategic focus area “Digitalization and smart society”.

Our research aims to develop a provably secure protocol for ensuring the integrity of outsourced machine learning model training using cryptography. Machine learning is increasingly used in a diverse field of domains. Soon, machine learning is envisioned to empower safety critical systems from personalized medicine to energy management systems. The massive generation of data will require complex system architectures and AI/ML model generation over a distributed paradigm. However, delegation of training raises serious concerns of trust and integrity. The emerging project will develop a protocol for the verification of the accuracy and robustness of externally trained models using cryptographic methods. The position is supervised by Doc. Juha Partala and is focused on theoretical and applied cryptography.

What we offer

  • Wellness benefit ePassi covering sport, culture and well-being. Read more about other staff benefits here.
  • Development and career options of the big organization.
  • Work that matters and a workplace that promotes flexibility and work-life balance. Read more about working with us.
  • Finland is one of the most livable countries in the world, with a high quality of life, safety, excellent education system, and competitive economy. Read more about living in Oulu.

Who are you?

We ecpect from you:

  • You must hold a Master’s degree or an equivalent degree (e.g. licentiate) preferably in computer science or mathematics. Degree must have been completed with good grades (at least 60% of maximum grade, or 3/5, in both the taught studies and the Master’s thesis
  • The research work requires a strong background in probability, computational complexity and/or cryptography. Expertise on machine learning is considered a plus. ).
  • Ability to pursue independent research
  • Excellent writing and fluency in English is expected.

The doctoral researcher position is intended for an Early Stage Researcher (ESR) who, according to the ”European Charter for Researchers and the Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers”, is defined as a researcher in the first four years (full-time equivalent) of their research activity, including the period of research training. Applicants will either be starting their doctoral training or have completed no more than two full years of training (adjusted for possible previous part-time status) at the time the position is filled. You will carry out your doctoral studies in the Information Technology and Electrical Engineering Doctoral Programme of the University of Oulu Graduate School (or one of the other UniOGS Doctoral Programmes, if appropriate) and you must meet the minimal requirements to receive doctoral study rights as defined in UniOGS.

Salary and key terms

The salary of selected doctoral researcher will be initially set on level 2, and later on levels 2 – 4 of the national salary scale for the teaching and research staff of Finnish universities. In addition, a supplementary remuneration is given for personal achievement and performance (max. 50 %). In practice, the salary is roughly 2200 – 2700 € (before taxes) per month for an early-stage researcher, depending on the appointee’s qualifications and progress of the doctoral thesis.

The position is fixed term for maximum of four years. A trial period of 6 months is applied to the position.

How to apply

Applications must be submitted through the online system by 24.2.2023 (23:59, Finnish local time) with the following attachments as three separate pdf files (please note that the online system has a maximum size limit of attachments):

  1. Complete CV containing contact information of at least two referees and a list of journal and conference publications (if any). A recommended CV template can be found on the webpage of Finnish Advisory Board on Research Integrity (http://www.tenk.fi/en/template-researchers-curriculum-vitae).
  2. Motivation letter describing prior knowledge, research interests and career plans (1-2 pages)
  3. Certificates/Diplomas: Scanned electronic copies of diplomas and transcripts of the records of relevant previous degrees (MSc and BSc or equivalent). If the original documents are not in English, Finnish or Swedish, each document must be accompanied by an official certified translation into English or Finnish.

Applications sent by email will not be considered. The eligible applicants fitting best in the research profile expected for the position may be invited to an on-site or remote interview. All applicants will be notified when the selection process is completed.

For further information

Juha Partala, e-mail: firstname.lastname@oulu.fi 

Type of employment Temporary position (shorter than 10 days)
Contract type Full time
Number of positions 1
Full-time equivalent 100%
City Oulu
Country Finland
Reference number 2023/63
Contact
  • Juha Partala, juha.partala(at)oulu.fi
Published 24.Jan.2023
Last application date 24.Feb.2023

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