PhD position in Artificial Intelligence and Scientific Computing within Fusion Energy Plasma Physics

To support our advancements in artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning and data science at the University of Southern Denmark, the Maersk Mc-Kinney Møller Institute invites candidates to apply for a PhD position to help us tackle challenges in Fusion Energy Plasma Physics with AI and machine learning. The starting date is 1 January 2025, or as soon as possible thereafter. The application deadline is 1 September 2024 at 11.59 PM / 23.59 (CET/CEST)
To support our advancements in artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning and data science at the University of Southern Denmark, the Maersk Mc-Kinney Møller Institute invites candidates to apply for a PhD position to help us tackle challenges in Fusion Energy Plasma Physics with AI and machine learning. The starting date is 1 January 2025, or as soon as possible thereafter.

Research and organizational environment
At the University of Southern Denmark (SDU), the candidates will join the research group of Applied AI & Data Science (AID) at the Maersk Mc-Kinney Møller Institute. In collaboration with several universities and partners across Denmark, Europe and the United States, AID provides the foundation for accelerating AI in the fusion energy sector as well as representing expertise in artificial intelligence, statistical machine learning, and data science by developing methods for data-driven solutions spanning across diverse specialities. The candidate will be working with and complementing a team including other PhD students and postdoctoral fellows with strong backgrounds in both fusion plasma physics and AI. Together with researchers from the Technical University of Denmark (DTU), Max Planck Institute for Plasma Physics (IPP), EPFL (Switzerland), CCFE (UK) and MIT (USA), the candidate will have the opportunity to tackle some of the major challenges for reaching a stable and functional fusion energy reactor.

Qualifications
We would like to appoint a talented and committed colleague, holding a M.Sc. degree in Mathematics, Data Science/AI, Physics, Electrical and Computer Engineering, or related areas, who will contribute actively to the research environment in our group. We are seeking a candidate with a strong background in machine learning and in general data science with interests and background in “scientific computing”. We invite motivated candidates with an interest in combining data-driven and first-principle approaches, to accelerate solving both forward and inverse-problems which will be embedded into real-world solutions in Fusion Energy Plasma Physics. To achieve this goal, the candidate should be familiar with one or more of the following fields, including but not limited to the mathematics governing AI (i.e., generalization, approximation, and optimization theory), differential equations of different types (SDE, PDE and ODE), theories governing the application of AI and ML to solve differential equations, e.g., Physics-Informed AI, as well as functional analysis and complex function theory. The successful candidate will be able to contribute to the development of a strong AI research environment at SDU. We believe in fostering a stimulating and inspiring environment, so the candidate qualified for the position will have the opportunity to collaborate with some of the most prestigious research Institutes across Europe (EPFL, CCFE and IPP) and the USA (MIT), and with researchers working within AI and ML, mathematics, and physics, among others.

Responsibilities
Your primary responsibility is to utilize and leverage the broad technical research and to support the long-term vision of AID being a world-class centre in the field of artificial intelligence and machine learning addressing the challenges of the most demanding scientific endeavours such as development of fusion energy. This follows the research strategy, which functions as the backbone in one of the first centres of its kind dedicated to working with AI across a large variety of both clinical and technical areas.

Your responsibilities as a Ph.D. candidate will be to:

• Develop, implement, and execute AI and fusion energy-focused projects in close collaborations with our international partners.
• Contribute to teaching activities at SDU, and outreach activities targeting younger research candidates.
• Give technical input and support for other ongoing fusion-related projects and establish new collaborations.

For further information about the positions, please contact
Head of the unit of Applied AI and Data Science (AID), Esmaeil Nadimi .

If you experience technical problems, please contact [email protected].

Conditions of employment
Appointment as a PhD fellow is a 3-year salaried position.

The monthly gross salary incl. pension is 35.707DKR. If you have relevant postgraduate experience, you may be placed on a higher salary step.

The successful applicant will be employed in accordance with the agreement between the Ministry of Finance and the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations.

Further information about salary and conditions of employment.

The assessment process
Read about the Assessment and selection process. Applications will be assessed by an assessment committee or an expert. Shortlisting may be applied. Read about shortlisting at SDU.

Application
The faculty advises applicants to read SDU information on how to applybefore applying.

The application must contain (only as pdf):

• A letter of motivation and indication of qualifications for the position (max. 2 pages).
• CV (max 2 pages).
• Certified copy of M.Sc. and B.Sc. and any other relevant diplomas.
• Completed TEK PhD application form for 5+3 applicants. Find the form at the Faculty website.
• Completed TEK PhD form for calculation grade point average. Find the form at the Faculty website.
• An official document describing the grading scheme of the awarding universities (if not Danish).
• Only for applicants from programmes that evaluate thesis/examination project by approved/not approved: Please submit an official and verified written assessment of the thesis or dissertation project from the grade giving institution. The statement must clearly state that the candidate has been among the top 30 pct. in the graduation class for the study programme.

UPLOAD GUIDE: ‘Letter of motivation’ shall be uploaded as ‘Cover letter’, CV shall be uploaded as ‘Resume’. All other documents shall be uploaded as ‘Miscellaneous documents’.

Attached files must be in Adobe PDF. Documents should not contain CPR number.

Suitable candidates will be invited for an interview after the application deadline.

The application deadline is 1 September 2024 at 11.59 PM / 23.59 (CET/CEST)

The Maersk Mc-Kinney Moller Institute
The Maersk McKinney Moller Institute (MMMI) is part of the Faculty of Engineering at SDU. MMMI is an internationally recognized research department, which has maintained a leading position in robotics for more than two decades. The Unit of Applied AI and Data Science is the main driver of activities within artificial intelligence and machine learning at SDU. The Unit has close collaboration with hospitals. Furthermore, the team has a long history of collaboration with industrial partners in sustainable energy.

Read more about AID and the Maersk Mc-Kinney Moller Institute.

Further information for international applicants about entering and working in Denmark. You may also visit WorkinDenmark for additional information.

Further information about The Faculty of Engineering.

The University of Southern Denmark wishes to reflect the surrounding community and therefore encourages everyone, regardless of personal background, to apply for the position.

Placering: Odense, Denmark