Connectionists: Open PhD positions at ETH Zurich/University of Basel (Switzerland)

[Volker Roth]

*ETH Zurich/University of Basel (Switzerland): *

Applications are invited for two fully-funded PhD positions for the EU
project "Similarity-based Pattern Analysis and Recognition (SIMBAD)",
which is a joint FET-STREP project involving ETH Zurich, University of
Basel, Delft University of Technology (Netherlands), IST Lisbon
(Portugal), University of Venice (Italy), University of Verona (Italy),
and University of York (England).

The project attempts to break new ground in similarity based pattern
recognition where we will explore models and associated learning
algorithms for non-Euclidean data and non-metric data situations.
Application domains of this type arise in computer vision (e.g., shape
analysis), in medical image processing and in bioinformatics where often
short distances can be reliably estimated but for large distances, the
signal to noise ratio drops below one.

As a part of the SIMBAD project, the Swiss group, comprising of ETH
Zurich and University of Basel, will focus on structure-preserving
embeddings of non-metric data into Euclidean spaces and applications
thereof to analyze tissue Microarray images. Successful applicants will
work under the supervision of Prof. Joachim Buhmann (Zurich) and Prof.
Volker Roth (Basel).

We are looking for highly motivated applicants who should have a
profound knowledge in mathematical modeling and in algorithmics.
Furthermore, the project requires substantial programming skills and a
genuine interest to build a decision support system for pattern
analysis. A prerequisite for starting PhD studies at ETHZ/Univ Basel are
a Masters degree in Computer Science, Bioinformatics, Mathematics or
Physics. An ideal researcher will have a strong background in Statistics
and Machine Learning, complemented with a solid programming experience.
Excellent oral and written communication skills would be additional
assets (English). The two positions are planned for 3 years. The salary
(approx. 64000CHF/year) and conditions at ETH Zurich/University of Basel
are very attractive.

Applications (preferably in electronic form) should be sent to

Ms Rita Klute <rita.klute at inf.ethz.ch <mailto:rita.klute at inf.ethz.ch>>,
Tel.(secret.): +41-44-63 26496, Fax: +41-44-63 21562
Institute for Computational Science, ETH Zentrum, CAB G 69.1,
Universitätstrasse 6,
CH-8092 Zurich, Switzerland

For further inquiries, please contact:

Joachim M. Buhmann: jbuhmann at inf.ethz.ch
Volker Roth: volker.roth at unibas.ch

To apply, email the following to the above mentioned contacts:
1. Your full CV
2. A page discussing your interests and motivation towards the topic.
3. At least one academic reference.