Postdoc in Simulation and AI in APEX project - Artificial Intelligence for Policy Excellence in the Climate Crisis – DTU Management

We offer a 2-year postdoc opportunity in the APEX project, focused on leveraging AI to advance complex decision models through efficient simulation metamodeling and reinforcement learning. Your role will center on developing a simulation workbench and support the development of the ML methodology.
We offer a two-year postdoc opportunity in the Artificial Intelligence for Policy Excellence in the Climate Crisis (APEX) project at the Technical University of Denmark, focused on leveraging AI to develop a new generation of Machine Learning (ML)-based approximators to simulators. Such a technology will dramatically accelerate existing complex simulation models and significantly contribute to the advancement of science.

Your role, starting on September 1, 2024, will center on setting up, calibrating and analysing the pre-existing simulators that will form the workbench for the APEX project. The exact simulation tools to be used will be discussed upon the beginning of the project, and shall include areas such as Transport, Energy and Environment. Expertise in these particular topics is less important than understanding/having experience with complex simulation tools in general.

The goal of the APEX project is to develop ML-based automatic approximators to existing simulators, that are able to replicate out-of-distribution performance yet be orders of magnitude faster. To achieve this, several different approaches will be tested, on a collection of simulators with increasing complexity. Ultimately, such simulators can form an integrated assessment model (IAM) that can be used in a reinforcement learning framework.

Under the supervision of Professor Francisco Pereira, your role is to set up the simulation environment, implement interfacing capabilities, when necessary (for those simulators), and collaborate with the remaining team in applying ML metamodeling techniques. Located in the Intelligent Transportation Systems group in DTU (http://mlsm.man.dtu.dk), this role is ideal for candidates with a PhD in simulation, mathematical modelling, machine learning, and related areas.

The project is entirely funded under the Novo Nordisk Data Science Distinguished Investigator program (https://novonordiskfonden.dk/en/grant/data-science-investigator-distinguished-2023/).

You will be a member of the ITS section of the Transport division at the Department for Technology, Management and Economics (DTU Management) at the Technical University of Denmark (DTU). You will work under the supervision of Professors Francisco Pereira.

Responsibilities and qualifications
Your primary tasks will be to:

• Set-up a simulation environment for APEX, based on existing - preferrably open source – tools. Such simulators will incrementally range from very simple to very complex and may be based on different programming languages (e.g. C++, Java, C#, Python).
• Modularize each simulator into its logical sub-components. This process relates to ML concepts such as causality, representation learning, inductive bias, regularization, graph neural networks.
• Contribute to new machine learning methodology, applied to simulators
• Co-advise students involved in the project, regularly meet with PIs, and disseminate new findings in journals/conferences.

You must have a PhD degree in mathematics, statistics, computer science, or a related discipline.

We are looking for an ambitious, self-organized individual with strong project management and communication skills. Applicants should have experience in some of the following areas: simulation, mathematical modelling, machine learning, data analysis. Programming skills in Python and at least one object-oriented programming language (e.g. C++, Java, C#), together with proficient English language skills are also required.

We offer
DTU is a leading technical university globally recognized for the excellence of its research, education, innovation and scientific advice. We offer a rewarding and challenging job in an international environment. We strive for academic excellence in an environment characterized by collegial respect and academic freedom tempered by responsibility.

Salary and terms of employment
The appointment will be based on the collective agreement with the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations. The allowance will be agreed upon with the relevant union.

The period of employment is 2 years, full-time. The starting date is 1 September 2024.

You can read more about career paths at DTU here.

Further information
Further information about the position may be obtained from Professor Francisco Pereira ([email protected]).

You can read more about DTU Management at www.man.dtu.dk/english.

If you are applying from abroad, you may find useful information on working in Denmark and at DTU at DTU – Moving to Denmark.

Application procedure
Your complete online application must be submitted no later than 1 July 2024 (23:59 Danish time). Applications must be submitted as one PDF file containing all materials to be given consideration. To apply, please open the link "Apply now", fill out the online application form, and attach all your materials in English in one PDF file. The file must include:

• Application (cover letter, list of at least three references)
• CV
• Academic Diplomas (MSc/PhD – in English)
• List of publications

Applications received after the deadline will not be considered.

All interested candidates irrespective of age, gender, disability, race, religion or ethnic background are encouraged to apply.

The ITS section belongs to the Transport Science division of the Department of Technology, Management and Economics (DTU Management) at DTU. The division conducts research and teaching in the field of traffic and transport planning, with particular focus on behavior modelling, machine learning and simulation.

DTU Management conducts high-level research and teaching with a focus on sustainability, transport, innovation, and management science. Our goal is to create knowledge on the societal aspects of technology - including the interaction between technology and sustainability, business growth, infrastructure, and prosperity. Therefore, we explore and create value in the areas of management science, innovation and design thinking, business analytics, systems and risk analyses, human behaviour, regulation and policy analysis. The department offers teaching from introductory to advanced courses/projects at BSc, MSc and PhD level. The Department has a staff of approximately 350 people.

Technology for people
DTU develops technology for people. With our international elite research and study programmes, we are helping to create a better world and to solve the global challenges formulated in the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Hans Christian Ørsted founded DTU in 1829 with a clear mission to develop and create value using science and engineering to benefit society. That mission lives on today. DTU has 13,500 students and 6,000 employees. We work in an international atmosphere and have an inclusive, evolving, and informal working environment. DTU has campuses in all parts of Denmark and in Greenland, and we collaborate with the best universities around the world.

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