Postdoctoral Researcher
Learning from Multi-Modal Data: Text, Images and Sensors
School of Computer Science & Insight Research Ireland Centre for Data Analytics Ref. No. 010819
JOB ADVERTISEMENT
Applications are invited from suitably qualified candidates for a full-time fixed-term 11-month position as an Experienced Postdoctoral Researcher within the School of Computer Science at the University of Galway, Ireland.
This position is funded by the Insight Research Ireland Centre for Data Analytics, and is available from 1st February 2025 (or as soon as possible thereafter) to contract end date of 31st December 2025.
The successful researcher will be based in the Machine Learning Research Group in the School of Computer Science, working under the direction of Professor Michael Madden. They will conduct research on deep learning approaches for analysis of multi-modal medical, scientific and engineering data, working in collaboration with a with a variety of stakeholders. An overall research objective is to develop new techniques for multi-modal machine learning, while minimizing risks of wrong outputs in edge cases.
The School of Computer Science is ambitious and growing, and we invite the new appointees to contribute to this together with us. The vision of the School of Computer Science is to build a strong and sustainable learning environment with world-recognised research that informs high-quality undergraduate and postgraduate teaching that is inclusive and relevant to the needs of our stakeholders and society in general.
The Insight Research Ireland Centre for Data Analytics at the University of Galway is a node of the nationwide Insight Centre for Data Analytics. The centre performs fundamental and applied research in a range of research areas to enable this, including machine/deep learning, multimodal data analysis, data streams, and sensor networks, knowledge discovery, natural language processing, social semantics, and social network analysis, among others. Research outcomes are applied in use cases across a range of domains, including eGovernment, financial services, manufacturing, eHealth, and Life Sciences.
Salary: Postdoctoral Researcher salary scale €44,846 to €57,332 per annum, (subject to the project’s funding limitations), and pro rata for shorter and/or part-time contracts.
The default position for all new public sector appointments is the 1st point of the salary scale. This may be reviewed, and consideration afforded to appointment at a higher point on the payscale (subject to the project’s funding limitations), where evidence of prior years’ equivalent experience is accepted in determining placement on the scale above point 1, subject to the maximum of the scale. (Research Salary Scales – University of Galway)
Closing date for receipt of applications is 17:00 (Irish Time) on Friday 3rd Jan 2025. It will not be possible to consider applications received after the closing date.
JOB DESCRIPTION
The successful candidate will conduct research on deep learning approaches for data-driven analysis of medical, scientific and engineering data, working with a variety of collaborators and stakeholders. There will be a focus on learning from multi-modal data, including text, images, and numerical data from sensors/instrumentation, using a combination of generative AI and classification-focused methods, with strategies to deal with data scarcity and data heterogeneity. There will also be research strand on improving management of uncertainty so that models can signal when their uncertainty is high, avoiding “confidently incorrect” outputs. An overall research objective is to develop new techniques for multi-modal machine learning, while minimizing risks of wrong outputs in edge cases.
The successful researcher will be based in the Machine Learning Research Group in the School of Computer Science, working under the direction of Professor Michael Madden, and will be a member of the Insight Centre for Data Analytics at the University of Galway.
The successful candidate will be supported in their professional development, and will be able to avail of a range of career level focussed training opportunities, have the potential to publish research findings in leading journals and international conferences.
Duties:
Research:
• Conduct a specified programme of research and scholarship under the supervision and direction of the Research Group Leader.
• Actively participate as a member of the research team.
• Collaborate with the Institute, University, and with external stakeholders in Ireland and abroad on research of relevance to the project.
• Keep up to date with relevant methods and techniques, and present findings of literature searches.
• Coordinate and perform a variety of independent tasks and team activities involved in the collection, analysis, documentation, and some interpretation of information/results.
• Define research objectives and develop new proposals for research in line with research strategy, under the guidance of the Research Group Leader, while contributing to the research programme of Computer Science and Insight.
• Develop and maintain knowledge and understanding of the policy, practices and procedures, relevant to the role, which may include broader University/sector/external sponsor or funder (e.g. Commercial Awareness, Research Ethics, Knowledge Transfer, Patents, Intellectual Property Rights, Health and Safety, Equal Opportunities & Diversity).
• Perform any other duties assigned commensurate to this level of post.
Research Dissemination and External Engagement:
• Present on research progress and outcomes e.g. to bodies supervising research; conferences, steering groups; other team members, as agreed with the Research Group Leader.
• Engage in the dissemination of the results of the research with the support of and under the supervision of the Research Group Leader; this will include writing up the results of research, and publishing on a regular basis in high-impact conferences and journals.
• Attend and network at relevant conferences and meeting hosted by relevant professional institutions and other universities as appropriate and translate knowledge of advances in the subject area into research activity.
• Assess research findings for the need/scope for further investigations or commercial exploitation, and where appropriate, work with the PI to register patents to protect intellectual property.
• Engage in and contribute to the wider research and scholarly activities of the Research Group, School of CS, and Insight.
Research Administration and Management:
• Plan and manage own day-to-day research activity, within the scope of the project and with the direction of the Research Group Leader.
• Provide mentoring, guidance and assistance as required to any support staff or postgraduate students involved in work aligned to the research project, which may include coordinating a small research team or the activities of junior researchers, as agreed with the Principal Investigator.
• Complete the administrative work to support the programme of research.
• Contribute to costing research grant proposals and assist in the financial management of a research project.
• Manage own research budget, if any, and keep records as directed and in line with Funder/University policy as appropriate.
• Develop and maintain understanding of the legal requirements regarding data protection and confidentiality data protection requirements.
• Carry out any additional duties as may reasonably be required within the general scope and level of the post.
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
Essential Requirements:
• A PhD in Computer Science with specialisation in deep learning / machine learning, including a focus that is aligned to aspects of the Job Descriptions.
• At least 2 years relevant postdoctoral research experience post-PhD in academic or industrial research.
• Substantial computer science publications of relevance to the Job Description in reputable journals/conferences.
• Evidence of excellent understanding of experimental design and scientific methodologies.
• Strong command of oral and written English, coupled with excellent presentation, communication and personal management skills.
• In-depth software development experience in an appropriate programming language, with demonstrated expertise in relevant deep learning libraries.
Desirable Requirements:
• Experience of research proposal writing and a track record of applying for grants.
• Experience of organising journal special issues, conference tracks, workshops, or conferences.
• Evidence of previously completed software projects.
• Experience of postgraduate research student (co-)supervision.
CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Researchers at University of Galway are encouraged to avail of a range of training and development opportunities designed to support their personal career development plans. University of Galway provides continuing professional development supports for all researchers seeking to build their own career pathways either within or beyond academia. Researchers are encouraged to engage with our Researcher Development Centre (RDC) upon commencing employment – see HERE for further information.
To apply: Search Current University of Galway vacancies. Applications must be submitted online.
o How to apply guide
• For informal enquiries, please contact Professor Michael Madden, School of Computer Science, University of Galway. Email michael.madden@universityofgalway.ie.
Further Information/Links
• University’s Strategic Plan
• Working in Research at University of Galway
• Moving to Ireland (Euraxess)
• Applicant Information
• We reserve the right to re-advertise or extend the closing date for this post.
• University of Galway is an equal opportunities employer.
• All positions are recruited in line with Open, Transparent, Merit (OTM) and Competency based recruitment.
