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Applications are invited for 15 full-time PhD student positions (called Early Stage Researchers or ESR) for PhD degrees for 36 months. The positions are offered within the Approximate Computing for Power and Energy Optimisation (APROPOS) International Training Network action of the highly appreciated EU-funded Marie Skłodowska Curie grants (http://www.apropos-itn.eu). The positions are fully funded for a 36-month period. You can choose your position in one of 14 top-level universities and companies in Europe and complement your experience within periods from 3 to 9 months of cross-sector secondments by working with the highly committed industrial partners of the action. You are encouraged to apply for up to three positions within APROPOS network if you believe your profile is suitable for multiple topics. A separate application is needed for each position in case you apply for multiple positions.

APROPOS is an international, multidisciplinary and multi-sectorial training network programme on approximate computing. APROPOS is funded by the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under the Marie Skłodowska Curie grant agreement No. 956090.

The ESR-specific project is described below. Please read the description carefully before applying.  We recommend you choose the position you apply for based on your technical profile and desired technical expertise, rather than based on the hosting location, as all positions involve high-level research mobility.

JOB DESCRIPTION
 
 APROPOS will train 15 Early Stage Researchers to tackle the challenges of future embedded and high-performance computing by using disruptive methodologies. Following the current trend, by 2040 computers will need more electricity than the world energy resources can generate. On the communications side, energy consumption in mobile broadband networks is comparable to datacentres. To make things worse, Internet-of-Things will soon connect 20 to 50 billion devices through wireless networks to the cloud. 

APROPOS aims at decreasing energy consumption in both distributed computing and communications for cloud-based cyber-physical systems. We propose adaptive Approximate Computing to optimize energy-accuracy trade-offs. Luckily, in many parts of the global data acquisition, transfer, computation, and storage systems there exists the possibility to trade off accuracy to either less power or less time consumed – or both. As examples, numerous sensors are measuring noisy or inexact inputs; the algorithms processing the acquired signals can be stochastic; the applications using the data may be satisfied with an “acceptable” accuracy instead of exact and absolutely correct results; the system may be resilient against occasional errors; and a coarse classification or finding the most probable matches may be enough for a data mining system. By introducing a new dimension, accuracy, to the design optimization, the energy efficiency can even be improved by a factor of 10x-50x.  

APROPOS will train the spearheads of the future generation to cope with the technologies, methodologies, and tools for successfully applying Approximate Computing to power and energy saving. The training, in this first ever ITN addressing approximate computing, is to a large extent done by researching energy-accuracy trade-offs on circuit, architecture, software, and system-level solutions, bringing together world leading experts from European organizations. In addition, we will provide network-wide and local trainings on the substance and on the complementary skills needed in both industrial and academic work life.
 
ESR Host Unit: University of Bologna (UNIBO), Italy

ESR 03 Objectives:

• Understand the impact of variable precision on the application error in off-line and mixed off-line/on-line machine learning approaches
• Support the benchmarking activities to evaluate efficiency and efficacies of the proposed strategies.

ESR Expected Results:   

Proof-of-concept implementation of adaptive reconfigurable edge computing node exploiting approximate computing methods; completion of the PhD program at the hosting unit (within 48 months).

Planned secondment(s): IBM, supervisor Dr. Cristiano Malossi, M18, 6 months for experimenting with the methodology on real platforms in real working environments, and for gaining industrial experience.

Supervisory team: 

• Prof. Luca Benini (UNIBO), main supervisor
• Prof. Michela Milano (UNIBO), academic co- supervisor
• Dr. Giuseppe Tagliavini (UNIBO), academic co- supervisor
• Dr. Cristiano Malossi (IBM), industrial co- supervisor
• Dr. Christoph Hagleitner (IBM), industrial co- supervisor

Enrolment in Doctoral degree: University of Bologna (UNIBO), Italy

Target degree: PhD in Data Science and Computation

Degree details: https://www.unibo.it/en/teaching/phd/2020-2021/data-science-and-computation

REQUIREMENTS
 
Eligibility criteria: Please check carefully that you are eligible; all conditions below are compulsory

Transnational mobility: The researcher must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the country of the host organization for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately prior to the start date. Note: the mobility rule applies to the (main) beneficiary where the researcher is recruited, and not to partners to which the researcher is sent or seconded. It is also only determined at one point in time: at the time when the ESR starts working for APROPOS.

Early-Stage Researchers (ESRs)/fresh MSc graduates: All researchers recruited in APROPOS must have less than 4 years since the completion of their first MSc degree and have not been awarded any doctoral degree at the date of the employment.

Background requirements: The applicant must be in possession of Master of Science (MSc) diploma in a relevant field, such as: electrical engineering, computer engineering, computer science. Strong programming skills and exposure to fundamental concepts and techniques in computer architecture, compilers and run-time systems is required. Exposure to machine learning theory and practice is a plus.

English language requirements: The candidate must be in possession of an English certificate with good level according to the regulations of the university to which the student will be enrolled for the PhD degree – check the degree requirements of the corresponding doctoral program for details.

WE OFFER

Expected start date: September 2021 (M11 from the beginning of the project)

Approximate gross salary: about 3250 EUR/month for researchers without family (and about 3650 EUR/month for researchers with family); Note: for different positions within the same APROPOS network, the salary is country- and unit-dependent.

Duration: 36 months

Researcher Profile: First Stage Researcher (R1)

Research Field: Engineering; Computer science; Technology

Type of contract: Temporary

Job Status: Full-time

Hours per week: 40

Trial period: 2 months

Working and living conditions in the country: Italy is one of the most culturally and economically advanced countries in the world, with the eighth-largest economy by nominal GDP (third in the European Union), sixth-largest national wealth and third-largest central bank gold reserve. It ranks very highly in life expectancy, quality of life, healthcare, and education.

Location of the oldest University in the world, Bologna is an important industrial center in Northern Italy, where many mechanical, electronic and food companies have set their headquarters. The city is also a “UNESCO creative City of Music” and has one of the largest and most well-preserved medieval historical centres, full of restaurants, taverns, theatres, and shops.

Read more about Italy and Bologna:

• https://www.enit.it/wwwenit/en/
• https://emiliaromagnaturismo.it/en/towns/bologna

Unit details: UNIBO is the second largest university in Italy and active in research and technology transfer. It is one of the most important institutions of higher education in EU with 87,000 enrolled students, 2,857 Academic staff, 1,198 post-docs, 1,606 PhDs, 3,014 administrative and technical staff units. UNIBO is the top ranked university in Italy according to the Times Higher Education Rankings, 2021. The activity of the University of Bologna will be conducted within the Department of Electrical, Electronic and Information Engineering (DEI) and the Department of Computer Science and Engineering (DISI). 

DEI is one of the largest departments in UNIBO with an excellent research profile. Within DEI, the research activity in APROPOS are carried out by the Energy-Efficient Embedded Systems Lab, led by Prof. Luca Benini. 

DISI is one of the strongest centers for computer science and engineering research in Italy, Within DISI, the research activity in APROPOS is carried out by the Artificial Intelligence Laboratory, led by Prof. Michela Milano.

Read More about UNIBO at: https://www.unibo.it/en 

Seconding Unit description: IBM Research GmbH, (IBM Research - Zurich), with approximately 300 employees, is a wholly owned subsidiary of the IBM Research division with headquarters at the T.J. Watson Research Center in Yorktown Heights, NY, USA. IBM Research - Zurich, which was established in 1956, represents the European branch of IBM Research. At the lab, scientific and industrial research is conducted in three scientific and technical departments: Cloud & Computing Infrastructure, Cognitive Computing & Industry Solutions, Science and Technology. Main research topics are cognitive computing, AI, machine learning, blockchain, IoT, nanotechnology, supercomputing, advanced server technology, RAID systems & tape storage, security and privacy. IBM Research - Zurich employs a steady stream of post-docs, PhD candidates, and summer students who pass through the laboratory. More than 30 nationalities are represented among the research staff members, including such specialists as computer scientists, mathematicians, electrical engineers, physicists, and chemists. Read more about IBM Research at: https://www.research.ibm.com

HOW TO APPLY

Please submit your application through our online recruitment system. The closing date for applications is 4 June 2021 (23:59 EEST / UTC+3). Please write your application and all the accompanying documentation in English and attach them in PDF format.

**The deadline for applications has been extended to 4 June, 2021 (23:59 EEST / UTC+3)**

Required attachments (preferably to be provided there as original versions or certified copies as described below. In case the applicant is invited for the interview – the certified copies should be provided before it takes place) 

Replace XX in file names with the position you apply and update your Name and Surname for, e.g.,
 ESR01_ Sauli_Niinisto_Dissertation_Proposal.pdf

1. Short ESR position-specific dissertation proposal of up to 2 pages, extra text will not be considered (original). FILE NAMED: ESRXX_Name_Surname_Dissertation_Proposal.pdf
2. A European format CV (see template: https://europa.eu/europass/en/create-europass-cv), including social and multi-cultural competencies (original). FILE NAMED: ESRXX_Name_Surname_CV.pdf
3. Bachelor diploma and transcript (original and certified copy in English). FILE NAMED: ESRXX_Name_Surname_BSc.pdf
4. First Master diploma and transcript (original and certified copy in English). FILE NAMED: ESRXX_Name_Surname_MSc.pdf
5. Certificate of English language proficiency (may be optional depending on the ESR position – in case it is not required, a statement that it is not necessary for the position in free form). FILE NAMED: ESRXX_Name_Surname_English.pdf
6. Optional Publications (where applicable, regular copies). FILE NAMED: ESRXX_Name_Surname_Publications.pdf
7. First reference letter as PDF with contact information of the referee. FILE NAMED: ESRXX_Name_Surname_Reference_Letter.pdf
8. Optional second reference letter as PDF with contact information of the referee. FILE NAMED: ESRXX_Name_Surname_Second_Reference_Letter.pdf
9. Statement (use template available at: https://projects.tuni.fi/uploads/2020/12/46c1ef2a-residence_5years_statement.docx) and certificates/documents demonstrating your residence(s) in the last 3 years. FILE NAMED: ESRXX_Name_Surname_Statement.pdf

For more information contact (check the ESR position description before):

APROPOS Info info.apropos@tuni.fi 

By submitting this application, I declare that at the submission date, I have not resided or carried out their main activity (work , studies, etc.) in the country of targeted host organization for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately prior to the reference date.

***

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Tampereen yliopiston koordinoimassa hankkeessa on haettavana 15 kokopäiväistä 36 kk kestoista väitöskirjatutkijan (Early Stage Reseracher, ESR) paikkaa. Positiot ovat tarjolla Approximate Computing for Power and Energy Optimisation (APROPOS) -projektissa, joka on saanut arvostetun Marie Skłodowska Curie Innovative Training Network EU-rahoituksen. Tarjotut paikat sijoittuvat 14 Euroopan huipputason yliopistoon ja yritykseen, ja niihin sisältyy 3–9 kuukauden kestoinen toimialarajoja ylittävä komennus yhdessä projektin erittäin sitoutuneista (yritys)kumppaneista. Jos uskot profiilisi soveltuvan APROPOS-projektiin ja täytät hakukelpoisuuskriteerit, haethan positioita mahdollisimman pian. Huomaathan, että voit hakea enintään kolmea paikkaa APROPOS-verkostossa ja jokaiseen paikkaan vaaditaan erillinen hakemus.

HAKUOHJEET

Lue tarkemmat tiedot tehtävästä ja hakuohjeet yllä olevasta englanninkielisestä ilmoituksesta.

Jätäthän hakemuksesi yliopiston sähköisellä hakulomakkeella (linkki löytyy tämän ilmoituksen alta). Hakuaika tehtävään päättyy 4.6.2021, klo 23:59. 

**hakuaikaa on jatkettu 4.6.2021 klo 23:59 saakka**