Connectionists: 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.  The two positions are
planned
for 3 years. The salary 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>,  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.

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Volker Roth
Computer Science Dept.             Tel.: +41-(0)61-2670549
University of Basel
Bernoullistr. 16,
CH-4056 Basel, Switzerland         email: volker.roth at unibas.ch        
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