项目介绍

2024年10月31日

PhD position

There is a vacancy for a PhD position at the Centre for the Science of Learning & Technology (SLATE), Faculty of Psychology, in Artificial intelligence – synthetic data generation, with a particular focus on privacy, data protection, and trustworthiness. The position is financed by Akademiaavtalen between University of Bergen and Equinor, and is connected to the project “Accelerating Privacy and Data Protection Measures Using Synthetic Data Generation” (ASPIRE). The PhD position is for a fixed term of 3 years, starting in Q1 2025.

The Centre for the Science of Learning & Technology (SLATE) located at the Faculty of Psychology is a learning sciences research centre that carries out interdisciplinary research on the technological, pedagogical, cultural, ethical, and legal aspects of learning analytics (LA) and artificial intelligence in education (AIED), and promote the responsible use of technology in education. As an interdisciplinary centre we strive to see research challenges from multiple perspectives. We are a dynamic and including milieu of around 23 persons, and all employees are expected to contribute to the success of the centre.

About the project/work tasks:

Advancements in data-driven models across various fields such as education (learning analytics and Artificial Intelligence in Education) and healthcare have been fuelled by a breadth of large datasets. However, the growing demand for large volumes of data comes with significant challenges, with privacy concerns being among the most critical. Traditional methods such as anonymisation and de-identification have become increasingly vulnerable to attacks, which increases the risk of personal information exposure. In response, synthetic data is emerging as a promising and novel solution providing scientists and researchers with an alternative to real data without compromising privacy or exposing sensitive information.

You will participate in the ASPIRE project (Accelerating Privacy and Data Protection Measures Using Synthetic Data Generation), which aims to develop novel methods for privacy and data protection by leveraging Artificial Intelligence in synthetic data generation. ASPIRE seeks to contribute to a trustworthy framework for secure data exchange and ASPIRE outcomes expect to impact education, healthcare, and artificial intelligence research.

Synthetic data generation is a key driver for the PhD position. You, together with the ASPIRE team, is expected to offer novel perspectives on proposing rigorous privacy guarantees by integrating differential privacy and federated learning with synthetic data. Additionally, an evaluation of the utility of synthetic data to ensure that it remains functional while adding an extra layer of data protection will be carried out.

Your are also expected to:

• be involved in both research and social collaborative work within SLATE
• participate in SLATE activities and contribute to the life of the Centre

Qualifications and personal qualities:

• You must at the time of application hold a master’s degree or the equivalent in either Information Science, Computer Science, Information Security, Psychology, or related fields
• Special requirements for the position
  • Possess solid programming skills (e.g., Python, R, GIT)
  • Familiarity with machine learning, data analytics, or deep learning
  • Keen interest in privacy-preserving technologies 
• Experience in synthetic data generation, differential privacy, anonymisation, and/or federated learning is an advantage
• Experience with AI in general (for example IOT), AI in Education, Learning Analytics, or AI and health is an advantage
• You must have the ability to work in a structured manner in close collaboration with the supervisor and have the ability to collaborate with others
• For admission to the ph.d.-programme, grade B or above is normally required on your master’s thesis
• Proficiency in both written and oral English
• You must be highly motivated, keen to teamwork and research collaboration 

The University of Bergen is subjected to the regulation for export control system. The regulation will be applied in the processing of the applications. If the university has not received the assessment from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs within 6-12 weeks after applying for an export license, any offer of employment will be rescinded.

About the PhD position:

The duration of the PhD position is 3 years. The employment period may be reduced if you have previously been employed in a recruitment position. You cannot be employed in a PhD position for more than one fixed-term position at the same institution.

About the PhD programme: 
As a PhD Candidate, you must participate in an approved educational programme for a PhD degree within a period of 3 years. When your qualification for the position is evaluated, you will also be evaluated for admission to the PhD programme at the Faculty of Psychology. 

You will find further information about the PhD programme at the Faculty of Psychology here. 

We can offer:

• Exciting development opportunities as part of your role in a strong professional environment
• An annual salary of NOK 540 500 before taxes (position code 1017) according to the state salary scale. Further promotions are made according to length of service.
• Enrolment in the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund
• Good welfare benefits

Your application must include:

• Cover letter with a brief account of your research interests and motivation for applying for the position
• Project description (3-6 pages incl. references). Examples of possible research topics include developing new theoretical and empirical approaches such as models that enhance the privacy-protection using synthetic data; develop sound empirical methods to evaluate privacy-preserving models that implement synthetic data; and developing generative AI models for accelerating privacy using synthetic data, differential privacy, and federated learning. If you require additional information, please contact Dr. Khalil.
• CV, including av publication list (if available)
• The names and contact information for three reference persons. One of these must be the main supervisor for the master’s thesis or equivalent thesis. 
• Transcripts and diplomas (higher education)
• If you have foreign education, you must enclose certified translations to English or Scandinavian if the original diploma and grade transcripts are not already in one of these languages. You must also enclose a confirmation from HK-dir (or former NOKUT) that the education is recognized to be in accordance with the Norwegian master’s degree. The review from HK-dir may take some time and the application should be sent to HK-dir as soon as you have decided to apply for the position. If no answer within the application deadline, please enclose documentation from HK-dir that they have received your application. Certain educational degrees from selected countries have an automatic recognition and the confirmation can be downloaded at HK-dir:  Automatic recognition – a quicker alternative | HK-dir (hkdir.no). 
• Relevant certificates/references
• Any publications you want to be included in the evaluation of your application

Please note that applications, along with the information and attachments linked to the application in JobbNorge, will be evaluated after the closing date for applications. Attachments must be in English or a Scandinavian language, and any translations must be certified. It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that all the necessary information has been submitted by the closing date for applications. 

It is particularly important that each of the attachments that are to be taken into account in the assessment is uploaded in full as an attachment to your application.

General information:

Detailed information about the position can be obtained by contacting: 

• Dr. Mohammad Khalil, Centre for the Science of Learning & Technology (SLATE), Det psykologiske fakultet, mohammad.khalil@uib.no, +47 412 09 272

Practical questions regarding the application procedures should be directed to:

• Head of Administration Jorunn Viken, e-mail: jorunn.viken@uib.no, Tlf: +47 90131832

Diversity is a strength that enables us to solve our tasks even better. UiB therefore needs qualified employees regardless of gender, ethnicity, religion, worldview, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, and age.

We encourage men to apply. If multiple applicants have approximately equivalent qualifications, the rules pertaining to moderate gender quotas shall apply.

The University of Bergen applies the principle of public access to information when recruiting staff for academic positions.

Information about applicants may be made public even if the applicant has asked not to be named on the list of persons who have applied. The applicant must be notified if the request to be omitted is not met.

The successful applicant must comply with the guidelines that apply to the position at all times.

We encourage applicants with disabilities, immigrant backgrounds, or gaps in their CV to apply. By indicating such circumstances in your application, you may receive favourable consideration. We ensure that at least one qualified applicant from each of these groups is invited for an interview as part of our commitment to inclusivity and equal opportunity. For further information about the recruitment process, click here.