Connectionists: 2 PhD positions in Machine Learning for Geosciences [ERC Consolidator Grant project]

[Gustau Camps-Valls]

Dear Colleagues,

I'd appreciate if you could circulate these two PhD positions in my group attached to an ERC Consolidator 
Grant project. Two different profiles: computer science and geosciences.

Thanks so much!

Best regards,

Gustau



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ERC project: 2 PhD positions in Machine Learning for Geosciences
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We are searching for outstanding candidates with a strong interest in machine learning for geosciences to 
cover 2 PhD positions to join the Image and Signal Processing (ISP) group in the Universitat de Valencia, 
Spain, http://isp.uv.es. The positions are funded by an ERC Consolidator Grant 2015-2020 entitled "Statistical 
Learning for Earth Observation Data Analysis" (SEDAL) under the direction of Prof. Gustau Camps-Valls. More 
info about the openings in http://isp.uv.es/sedal.pdf and http://sedalproject.wordpress.com

*** The project and job description

We aim to develop the next generation of statistical inference methods to analyze Earth Observation (EO) data. 
Machine learning models have helped to monitor land, oceans, and atmosphere through the analysis and 
estimation of climate and biophysical parameters. Current approaches, however, cannot deal efficiently with 
the particular characteristics of remote sensing data. We will develop advanced regression (retrieval, model 
inversion) methods to improve efficiency, prediction accuracy and uncertainties, encode physical knowledge 
about the problem, attain self-explanatory models, learn graphical causal models to explain the complex 
interactions between essential climate variables and observations, and discover hidden essential drivers and 
confounding factors in Climate/Geo Sciences.

Highly motivated students in computer science, statistics, machine learning, electrical engineering, physics, 
or mathematics are encouraged to apply. All candidates should have a solid understanding and knowledge of 
machine learning and statistics, and being particularly interested in climate science, remote sensing, and 
geoscience problems. Positions will cover two different profiles:

(1) Remote sensing and geosciences: model inversion, radiative transfer models, biogeochemistry, climate 
science, detection and attribution, global carbon/heat/water fluxes, in-situ datasets for 
land/vegetation/atmosphere monitoring; and

(2) Machine learning, statistics and signal processing: regression and time series analysis, change and 
anomaly detection, structured/relational/transfer learning, graphical models and causal inference. In both 
cases, good programming skills (Matlab/Python/R/C++), a critical and organized sense for data analysis, as 
well as maturity and commitment, strong communication, presentation and writing skills are a big plus.

*** Application details

- How? Send me: 2-pages CV, motivation letter, 3 best papers, 3 recommendation letters or contacts
- When? Preferred starting dates: May 2016
- How long? 1 year contract (extendable upon mutual satisfaction and qualifications to 3-4 years)
- How much? Salary according to UV scales including social security, health insurance benefits, and travel money
- Where? Valencia, Spain, Mediterranean, nice weather, hike and beach. Excellent cost-of-living index = 55

*** Contact

* Important notice before applying: read the project info above carefully, read (some of) the related papers, 
and think about the motivation and goals of the project. And now, sit back, breath and think: could you 
contribute into something? Do you really understand what we want to do in SEDAL? Do you have ideas to share 
with me? Do you have the right background and expertise? Are you brilliant to undertake the challenge?

* Ready to apply? Send your dossier in one single PDF to gustau.camps at uv.es, subject: SEDAL application

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Prof. Gustau Camps-Valls
Image and Signal Processing Group (ISP)
Image Processing Laboratory (IPL)
Office: 3.2.4
Parc Científic - Campus de Paterna
Universitat de València
C/ Catedrático José Beltrán, 2
46980 Paterna, València. Spain.
Tlf: +34 963 544 064
Fax: +34 963 543 261
   http://isp.uv.es
   http://www.uv.es/gcamps
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