The University of Turku is a world-class multidisciplinary research university which offers interesting challenges and a unique vantage point to national and international research and education.

The Department of Computing at the University of Turku is looking for 1-4 Postdoctoral researcher(s) or Doctoral candidate(s)/Project researcher(s) for a fixed-term position in the area of machine learning and data science for two research projects.

Project 1: The work starts 1.3.2022 (or later based on mutual agreement) and ends 29.2.2024.

The goal of the research is to develop machine learning based predictive situational awareness models for maritime activities combining relevant VDES data and other available data sources. The target is the Arctic Sea maritime surveillance, search and rescue operations, countering illegal activities, and detection of anomalies.

Project 2:  The work starts 1.4.2022 (or later based on mutual agreement) and ends 31.3.2025.

The goal of the research is to develop machine learning approaches for mineral prospectivity analysis to delineate geographic areas favorable for a given mineral deposit type by integrating information from various geoscientific data sources. The work covers the entire prospectivity analysis process from definition of the problem through data selection and preprocessing to data fusion modelling, and model testing.

The funding for the projects comes from EU-funded grants consisting of large international consortiums. The work will be carried out at the University of Turku under the supervision of Professor Jukka Heikkonen (https://www.utu.fi/en/people/jukka-heikkonen).

Eligibility criteria

• Background in some suitable area relevant to computational sciences, such as computer science, mathematics, physics, statistics or bioinformatics
• Ability to work independently, collaboration and interaction skills, analytical skills
• Motivation and interest in AI research
• Fluent English proficiency

As advantage, we consider the knowledge of AI methods and especially machine learning and pattern recognition, experience with programming languages relevant to data science (e.g. Python, Matlab), as well as good quality publications in the area of computational sciences. In project 1, it is considered as an advantage if the person to be selected has previous experience in machine learning-based data and sensor fusion and anomaly detection. The persons to be selected for project 2 should have knowledge of and experience in deep learning methods and the processing of spatio-temporal GIS data such as satellite images.

The qualification requirements of the positions are stated in the University of Turku Rules of Procedure: https://www.utu.fi/en/university/organisation

A person selected for the position of postdoctoral researcher is required to have a doctoral degree and the ability to conduct independent scientific work as well as having the necessary teaching skills.

A person selected for the post of doctoral candidate/project researcher is required to have a higher university degree. The degree must be completed by the end of the application period. If the selected person already has a right to pursue a doctoral degree at the University of Turku, (s)he must also have an accepted research plan. In addition, when acquiring his or her degree or otherwise, he or she is required to have demonstrated the ability and motivation to undertake postgraduate studies and the capacity to complete a doctoral degree in accordance with the research plan.

The salary is determined in accordance with the university salary system for teaching and research personnel.

For a postdoctoral researcher, the salary is on levels 4-6, which is 2591,28–3498,98 euro per month. In addition, a personal work performance component will be paid. The personal performance component is a 6% - 50% of the task-specific salary component.

For a doctoral candidate/project researcher, the salary will be on the job demands chart on levels 2-4, where the task-specific salary component is 2078,27–2591,28 euro per month. In addition, a personal work performance component will be paid. The personal performance component is a 6% - 50% of the task-specific salary component.

A six (6) month trial period applies to the positions.

Applications must be submitted at the latest on Thursday February 3, 2022 (23:59) using the electronic application form of the University of Turku on the following address: https://www.utu.fi/careers

The link to the application system is at the beginning of this announcement (“Apply for the job”).

Applicants should enclose with their application a CV, short cover letter including a short description of applicant’s relevant skills and knowledge, degree certificate(s), list of publications (if applicable) and other documents that may influence the filling of the position. Applicants should also mention which project (either 1 or 2) they are primarily interested in or both.

For further information about the positions, please contact Professor Jukka Heikkonen (jukhei@utu.fi). Regarding the recruitment process, please contact HR Specialist Nina Reini (nina.reini@utu.fi).