Job description
The PhD will work towards analyzing explainable AI (XAI) techniques and designing explainable AI methods for diagnosing embedded AI models. They will focus on analyzing the state-of-the-art model-specific (e.g., integrated gradient) and model-free (e.g., counterfactual instances) XAI methods to identify robustness issues through causal analysis of relevant feature in model behavior. To that end, they will develop principled approaches and practical tools for diagnosing what knowledge the embedded ML model needs thus clearing the roadblock for robust AI. As part of the effort, they will design representation of knowledge of embedded AI and develop a reasoning engine to infer the unknowns of an embedded AI model. The expected results include 1) a human-in-the-loop knowledge extraction approach for describing AI knowledge in semantic concepts and for specifying required mechanisms in specific tasks; 2) a proof-of-concept of proposed diagnosis tool in the selected embedded AI domains.
Job requirements
The successful PhD candidate should:
- Have an MSc in Computer Science, or a closely related field;
- Have demonstrated competencies in one or more of these domains: Crowd Computing, Machine Learning, Natural Language Processing, Data Science, Human Computer Interaction;
- Have strong interest and/or experience conducting empirical and theoretical research;
- Be self-motivated and enjoy research;
- Be a team player;
- Have good communication skills in Engligh.
TU Delft (Delft University of Technology)
Delft University of Technology is built on strong foundations. As creators of the world-famous Dutch waterworks and pioneers in biotech, TU Delft is a top international university combining science, engineering and design. It delivers world class results in education, research and innovation to address challenges in the areas of energy, climate, mobility, health and digital society. For generations, our engineers have proven to be entrepreneurial problem-solvers, both in business and in a social context.
At TU Delft we embrace diversity as one of our core values and we actively engage to be a university where you feel at home and can flourish. We value different perspectives and qualities. We believe this makes our work more innovative, the TU Delft community more vibrant and the world more just. Together, we imagine, invent and create solutions using technology to have a positive impact on a global scale. That is why we invite you to apply. Your application will receive fair consideration.
Challenge. Change. Impact!
Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science
The Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science (EEMCS) brings together three scientific disciplines. Combined, they reinforce each other and are the driving force behind the technology we all use in our daily lives. Technology such as the electricity grid, which our faculty is helping to make completely sustainable and future-proof. At the same time, we are developing the chips and sensors of the future, whilst also setting the foundations for the software technologies to run on this new generation of equipment - which of course includes AI. Meanwhile we are pushing the limits of applied mathematics, for example mapping out disease processes using single cell data, and using mathematics to simulate gigantic ash plumes after a volcanic eruption. In other words: there is plenty of room at the faculty for ground-breaking research. We educate innovative engineers and have excellent labs and facilities that underline our strong international position. In total, more than 1000 employees and 4,000 students work and study in this innovative environment.
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Conditions of employment
Doctoral candidates will be offered a 4-year period of employment in principle, but in the form of 2 employment contracts. An initial 1,5 year contract with an official go/no go progress assessment within 15 months. Followed by an additional contract for the remaining 2,5 years assuming everything goes well and performance requirements are met.
Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, increasing from € 2901 per month in the first year to € 3707 in the fourth year. As a PhD candidate you will be enrolled in the TU Delft Graduate School. The TU Delft Graduate School provides an inspiring research environment with an excellent team of supervisors, academic staff and a mentor. The Doctoral Education Programme is aimed at developing your transferable, discipline-related and research skills.
The TU Delft offers a customisable compensation package, discounts on health insurance, and a monthly work costs contribution. Flexible work schedules can be arranged.
Coming to Delft Service Dual Career Programme is available, to support your accompanying partner with their job search in the Netherlands.
Additional information
Application procedure
- Motivation Letter,
- CV,
- a (part of your) M.Sc. Thesis or a paper that you have written, in which you demonstrate your writing (and scientific) skills.
Please highlight in your motivation letter and/or CV examples of projects and achievements that demonstrate your relevant competences.
Please also include names and contact details of two references when applicable.
Doing a PhD at TU Delft requires English proficiency at a certain level to ensure that the candidate is able to communicate and interact well, participate in English-taught Doctoral Education courses, and write scientific articles and a final thesis. For more details please check the