项目介绍

2025年3月7日

We are looking for junior researchers who want to jump-start their careers as PhD candidates in Differential and Probabilistic Programming as a part of the ERC project FoRECAST. In this project, you work both independently and in collaboration with a diverse team. You will conduct research on the aspects of FORECAST relating to Probabilistic and Differential Algorithms. This is a unique opportunity to contribute to the foundations for tomorrow’s machine learning.

Your job

The FoRECAST project aims to develop theory (e.g., categorical semantics and denotational correctness proofs as well as new probabilistic and differential inference algorithms) and systems (e.g., high performance, functional array programming DSLs) to tackle challenging probabilistic and differentiable programming applications (e.g., experimental design, machine learning for science). It will do so by bringing together a diverse team of PhD candidates with a primary focus in three different areas:

1. programming language semantics and foundations;
2. programming language implementation for high performance computing;
3. probabilistic and differentiable algorithms for machine learning.

Your research in one of these three areas should result in successfully obtaining a PhD degree during the appointment.

In one of these positions, your research will develop the foundations and push the boundaries of the field of differential and probabilistic programming. This exciting new field of research combines knowledge from the machine learning, programming languages, scientific computing, and statistical physics communities. Your project could involve:

• developing new differential and probabilistic programming techniques (e.g., techniques for differentiating effectful programmes such as gradient estimation of probabilistic programs, implicit function differentiation, compositional Bayesian inference techniques);
• giving mathematical proofs of their correctness (e.g., by using categorical semantics) and efficiency;
• building state-of-the-art implementations of these new techniques (e.g., by leveraging data-parallel functional array programming techniques);
• applying them to solve real-world problems (e.g., gradient estimation challenges in experimental design and reinforcement learning).

The precise focus of the position will depend on your particular interests and strengths.

You will primarily be supervised by Matthijs Vákár external link with secondary supervisors that we choose to match your interests and strengths. Beyond membership of the FORECAST team, you will also be a member of the wider Software Technology group led by Gabriele Keller external link. As our research group contains core members of the popular Accelerate and Stan DSLs for machine learning and scientific computing, newly developed techniques could quickly have a large impact and reach a large audience of end users. Beyond Utrecht University, we anticipate collaborating with colleagues from the Center for Computational Mathematics at the Flatiron Institute in New York, the Department of Computer Science at the University of Oxford, the Amsterdam Machine Learning Lab, and the XLA and JAX teams at Google.

In a small part of your time, you will contribute to teaching activities within the Department of Information and Computing Sciences. The precise teaching roles depend on the departmental needs and your background and interests. It might include helping with courses such as Functional Programming, Concurrency, Concepts of Programming Language Design, Languages and Compilers, Logic, Probabilistic Reasoning, Machine Learning, or other courses in our BSc and MSc programmes. Teaching activities may include conducting tutorials, supervising student projects and theses, and participating in public outreach. These activities will be designed to help you develop your didactic skills and be well prepared for a longer-term career in academia, should you choose to pursue one.

Your qualities

We are looking for a driven new colleague who meets several or all of the following criteria:

• holds a Master’s degree with research experience in a relevant discipline like Computer Science, Mathematics, Statistics, or Physics;
• has a strong interest in research and is motivated to explore the areas of differential and probabilistic programming and mathematical aspects of computer science, more generally;
• has enthusiasm for, and ideally experience with, one of the following three areas of research: programming languages foundations and/or category theory, implementation of programming languages and systems for high performance computing, algorithm development for statistical computing and machine learning;
• has strong English communication skills, both in speaking and writing;
• has the ability and desire for a mixture of collaborative work in a diverse team and focussed independent work.

More than anything, we are looking for candidates who have enthusiasm for science and will take the initiative to develop their own research interests within the scope of this ERC project.

Our offer

• A position for 18 months, with an extension to the full four years after positive evaluation;
• a working week of 38 hours and a gross monthly salary between €2,901 and €3,707 (salary scale P under the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities (CAO NU)); 
• 8% holiday pay and 8.3% year-end bonus; 
• a pension scheme, partially paid parental leave and flexible terms of employment based on the CAO NU. 

In addition to the terms of employment external link laid down in the CAO NU, Utrecht University has a number of schemes and facilities of its own for employees. This includes schemes facilitating professional development external link, leave schemes and schemes for sports and cultural activities external link, as well as discounts on software and other IT products. We also offer access to additional employee benefits through our Terms of Employment Options Model. In this way, we encourage our employees to continue to invest in their growth. For more information, please visit Working at Utrecht University external link.

About us

A better future for everyone. This ambition motivates our scientists in executing their leading research and inspiring teaching. At Utrecht University external link, the various disciplines collaborate intensively towards major strategic themes external link. Our focus is on Dynamics of Youth, Institutions for Open Societies, Life Sciences and Pathways to Sustainability. Sharing science, shaping tomorrow external link.

Working at the Faculty of Science external link means bringing together inspiring people across disciplines and with a variety of perspectives and backgrounds. The Faculty external link has six departments: Biology, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Information & Computing Sciences, Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics. Together, we external link work on excellent research and inspiring education. We do so, driven by curiosity and supported by outstanding infrastructure. Visit us on LinkedIn external link and discover how you can become part of our community.

Within the Department of Information and Computing Sciences external link, the Software Technology group external link specialises in work broadly relating to programming languages, functional programming, software correctness, and DSLs for high performance computing. Within the Software Technology group, the FoRECAST team specialises in probabilistic and differential programming languages, for use in scientific computing and machine learning. We are interested in questions ranging from semantic foundations and correctness, via the development of novel probabilistic and differential algorithms, to the development of high-performance implementations in which the rubber meets the road. More generally, we are enthusiastic about a wide range of research topics at the intersection of mathematics and computer science and truly value scientific curiosity. We like to work as a diverse team where every member has their own expertise that complements that of the other team members, allowing us to approach ambitious questions and build a bridge between theoretical foundations and practical applications. Our style of work is a mixture of focussed individual work and interdisciplinary collaboration as a team.

More information

For more information, please contact Matthijs Vákár external link at m.i.l.vakar@uu.nl.

Do you have a question about the application procedure? Please send an email to science.recruitment@uu.nl.

Apply now

As Utrecht University, we want to be a home external link for everyone. We value staff with diverse backgrounds, perspectives and identities, including cultural, religious or ethnic background, gender, sexual orientation, disability or age. We strive to create a safe and inclusive environment in which everyone can flourish and contribute.

To apply, please send the following documents via the ‘apply now’ button:

• a two-page cover letter describing your research interests and how they match the position, evidence of your self-motivation and ability to work collaboratively, a summary of your MSc thesis or a comparable major project, your earliest possible starting date of employment. 
• a full academic curriculum vitae, possibly including publications, git repos showing open-source software contributions, links to blog contributions, and other academic output you are proud of;
• degrees and transcript of records with grades;
• a copy of your MSc thesis (if available);
• contact details of two or three references.

The applications must be written in English.

If this specific opportunity isn’t for you, but you know someone else who may be interested, please forward this vacancy to them.

The application deadline is 21 April 2025.