Open PhD Positions Spatio-Temporal Data Analysis

For a number of different projects, the Computer Science department of the UCLouvain is recruiting PhD candidates with an interest in algorithms for spatio-temporal data mining and machine learning.

Spatio-temporal data mining and machine learning algorithms are algorithms that analyze data with both a spatial and a temporal component. Specific applications that are considered in these projects are

  • Human migration: can we predict human migration and population growth? Can we identify patterns in human migration and population growth?
  • Logistics: can machine learning help to improve logistics? Can we identify patterns in human behavior and in the operations of a logistics company?
  • Public transport: can we predict delays in public transport? Can we identify patterns in delays?
Our aim is to develop generic open source algorithms that can be applied on spatio-temporal data in general; the applications serve as test cases. Relevant questions that should be addressed by these algorithms include:
  • Accurate prediction: how to build accurate predictors for these applications?
  • Efficient pattern mining: how to efficiently find patterns in spatio-temporal data?
  • Data fusion: how to combine data from different sources? How to represent data from various data sources?
  • Data quality: how to deal with the problem that different types of data may have a different quality?
  • Data privacy: how to ensure that predictions and patterns do not violate the privacy of individuals?
Candidates will join a young team of researchers at INGI, the Computer Science Department of the ICTEAM institute of the UCLouvain; they will be supervised by Prof. Pierre Schaus and Prof. Siegfried Nijssen, as well as a partner for the relevant application. INGI offers an international working environment, and promotes diversity in employment.

The ideal candidate meets these requirements:

  • You obtained excellent results during your master’s studies;
  • You have finished a master’s thesis in an area related to data mining, machine learning or combinatorial optimization;
  • You have an interest in the development of algorithms and like programming;
  • You have an interest in the mathematical properties of algorithms and like writing proofs for such properties;
  • You are motivated by the applications studied in the project.
However, candidates that do not meet all of these requirements will also be considered; good programming skills may compensate for a lack of interest in the theory of algorithms, and vice-versa. Pairs of candidates that have successfully collaborated in the past may consider to apply as well; we may offer the possibility to continue your collaboration.

General conditions. Appointments are research positions for two years, with a possibility to extend for two more years. Net salary is of the order of 1800 euros per month. Members of the EU are covered by the Belgian social insurance scheme. Non-members are only insured for health care and can receive child benefit. The candidate will be located in the INGI department.

The campus of UCLouvain is located in Louvain-la-Neuve. Louvain-la-Neuve is a modern university campus constructed in the 1970s, 30km from downtown Brussels, with good public transport connections. Many facilities are present in the town itself, including a large number of shops, restaurants, a cinema, a Tintin museum, schools, and green recreational areas. While knowledge of French is helpful, it is not required for these positions.

Applications should be sent to pierre.schaus@uclouvain.be and siegfried.nijssen@uclouvain.be not later than June 30, 2018. You are encouraged to contact us in advance if you have any questions.

The core of your application mail should contain the following information: (i) your name, (ii) your current affiliation (university, research center, etc.), (iii) two names and addresses (including e-mail) of persons who can be contacted for reference on the candidate, (iv) your Master’s thesis, or a draft thereof. The two following PDF-files should be sent in attachment: (i) a complete curriculum vitae, and (ii) a statement of research interests; this statement should include point out which applications listed above have your interest.

As advertised on KDnuggets.