Connectionists: PhD studentship on context-based machine learning for financial applications

[Bruce Graham]

PhD Studentship at University of Stirling, Scotland, U.K.
Context-based machine learning for financial applications

Cross-Faculty Research Programme: “CONTEXT: Contextual learning and
processing”
Faculty of Natural Sciences – Computing Science and Mathematics
Stirling Management School – Accounting and Finance Division

Applications are invited for a PhD studentship in an interdisciplinary
project on context-based machine learning with a specific emphasis on
financial applications. The PhD will be undertaken under the joint
supervision of the University of Stirling’s Computing Science and
Mathematics Division and its Accounting and Finance Division.

The PhD studentship is part of a new cross-faculty, interdisciplinary
research programme (RP) called “CONTEXT: Contextual learning and
processing” which concerns understanding and applying principles of
contextual guidance in learning and processing of data. It combines
research into the role of context in the human neocortex with
computational and machine learning.  This RP studies context-sensitive
learning and processing from three perspectives: neuronal architecture and
physiology; health and pathology; the development of new, robust
algorithms for machine learning for real-world applications. This
studentship will investigate the development of such algorithms
specifically in financial applications. The PhD thus offers a unique
opportunity to work with researchers from computing science and
mathematics, the cognitive and neurosciences, and finance, all of whom are
committed to the development and deployment of new approaches in machine
learning.

As the PhD scholarship is co-funded by a B2B Robo Advisor firm based in
Singapore, researchers have the opportunity to directly impact the use of
machine learning in real-world financial applications, and there is also
the possibility to gain direct experience working with a leading
financial-technology company.

The student will enjoy the benefit of supervision from two faculty members
spanning two academic disciplines as well as access to the research
environment in these two disciplines. The candidate will also have access
to facilities and support offered by Stirling University’s Graduate School
and the Centre for Graduate Research in Management.

Further details can be provided by Professor Bruce Graham from Computing
Science (b.graham at cs.stir.ac.uk) or Dr Patrick Herbst from Accounting and
Finance (patrick.herbst at stir.ac.uk).

Financial Support:
The studentship is available for three years, and includes a tax­free
stipend of approximately £14,553 p.a. Tuition fees will be met by the
University at the home/EU rate. Overseas applicants are required to
confirm they can meet the difference between home/EU and overseas tuition
fees from their own resources, for the duration of study
(Information on tuition fees is available on
http://www.stir.ac.uk/postgraduate/financial-information/tuition-fees/.)
Subject to a satisfactory progress review at the end of the first year,
the studentship will be renewed for a second year and thereafter for a
third year.

Application requirements:
Candidates are expected to have a good upper second class honours degree
or equivalent in a subject relevant to the field of study and/or a
distinction or near distinction in a Master’s degree. An MRes or
equivalent degree with a high level of research training content would be
an advantage. Applicants should have:
-	A strong background in computing and mathematics (an understanding of
machine learning is highly desirable)
-	An ability to programme in a high-level computing language (such as
Python, C or Java) and/or experience with Matlab (or similar)
-	An interest in financial applications and research (a background in
finance is desirable, but not essential)
-	Good numerical and verbal communication skills
English language requirements are IELTS 6.5 (with a minimum of 6 in each
skill), TOEFL 577/233, or equivalent.

Application process:
In the first instance students should make a preliminary application by
e-mail to accountingandfinance at stir.ac.uk with the subject line: "PhD
Studentship in Context-based Machine Learning ". The application must
include
-	a full CV, documenting qualifications and any relevant previous
experience and existing skill sets as well as containing contact details
for two academic referees;
-	a covering letter of max 500 words referring in detail to the relevant
research area and demonstrating a strong interest in the proposed
research, as well as the candidate’s aptitude/skills that make her or him
particularly suitable for conducting this research;
-	copies of your academic transcripts.
The CV and covering letter or research proposal will be used to shortlist
candidates for interview. The successful candidate must subsequently apply
for a place on the university’s PhD programme; the scholarship offer is
conditional on the student being accepted for this.

Closing date: 16 June 2017
Proposed start: 1 October 2017



-- 
Prof. Bruce Graham (b.graham at cs.stir.ac.uk)
Professor of Computing Science and Research Director
Computing Science and Mathematics
Faculty of Natural Sciences
University of Stirling
Stirling FK9 4LA
phone: +44 1786 467 432   fax: +44 1786 464 551

Coauthor of "Principles of Computational Modelling in Neuroscience", CUP
2011.
Editorial Board of Journal of Biological Dynamics.