The LABDA project

LABDA (Learning Network for Advanced Behavioural Data Analysis) is an EU-funded MSCA Doctoral Network that brings together leading researchers in advanced movement behaviour data analysis at the intersection of data science, method development, epidemiology, public health, and wearable technology to train a new generation of creative and innovative public health researchers via training-through-research. The main aims of LABDA are to establish novel methods for advanced 24/7 movement behaviour data analysis of sensor-based data, examine the added value of advanced behavioural data analysis and multi-modal data for predicting health risk and facilitate the use and interpretability of the advanced methods for application in science, policy, and society. Via training-through-research projects, 13 doctoral fellows will contribute to reaching these aims. Together, they will develop a joint taxonomy to enable interoperability and data harmonisation. Results will be combined in an open-source LABDA toolbox of advanced analysis methods, including a decision tree to guide researchers and other users to the optimal method for their (research) question. The open-source toolbox of advanced analysis methods will lead to optimised, tailored public health recommendations and improved personal wearable feedback concerning 24/7 movement behaviour.

You will be hosted at the Department of Computer Science in the in the research unit Data and artificial intelligence (DART). NTNU offers an inspiring and professional environment in which developing one`s talents and skills is encouraged. We offer ample opportunity for development, deepening and broadening, additional training, and a place to grow! Your immediate leader is the Head of DART group.

About the position

For a position as a PhD Candidate, the goal is a completed doctoral education up to an obtained doctoral degree.

The Department of Computer Science at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) is looking for applicants for a PhD scholarship within the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Doctoral Network ‘Interpretable machine learning for 24/7 movement behaviour’ funded by the European Union’s Horizon Europe research and innovation programme (grant agreement No.101072993).

The PhD project is expected to start in Summer 2024 and employment will be for 36 months.

Duties of the position

As a PhD student in the project ‘Interpretable machine learning for 24/7 movement behaviour’ your challenge is to develop interpretable and explainable machine learning methods that use accelerometer data to describe 24/7 human behaviour. While existing methods focus on the performance of models, this project will investigate i) how the characterisation of the input data can be used for describing the confidence of models, ii) how existing methods can be advanced to provide explanations (intrinsic or surrogate), and iii) the interpretability of the results.

Your research tasks:

In addition to your local PhD training, you will participate in an attractive educational program customized to the 13 doctoral candidates in the LABDA project. The LABDA training program consists of 3 secondments (1 in Denmark, 2 in The Netherlands), monthly online trainings, 4 in-person 3-day workshops, and conferences to optimally develop your academic and transferable skills.

As part of the project, you will go on secondments including:

Required selection criteria

The appointment is to be made in accordance with Regulations on terms of employment for positions such as postdoctoral fellow, Phd candidate, research assistant and specialist candidate and Regulations concerning the degrees of Philosophiae Doctor (PhD) and Philosodophiae Doctor (PhD) in artistic research national guidelines for appointment as PhD, post doctor and research assistant

Preferred selection criteria

Personal characteristics

Emphasis will be placed on personal and interpersonal qualities.

We offer

Salary and conditions

As a PhD candidate (code 1017) you are normally paid from gross NOK 532 200 per annum before tax, depending on qualifications and seniority. From the salary, 2% is deducted as a contribution to the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund.

The period of employment is 3 years (without teaching duties).

Appointment to a PhD position requires that you are admitted to the PhD programme in Computer Science within three months of employment, and that you participate in an organized PhD programme during the employment period.

The engagement is to be made in accordance with the regulations in force concerning State Employees and Civil Servants, and the acts relating to Control of the Export of Strategic Goods, Services and Technology. Candidates who by assessment of the application and attachment are seen to conflict with the criteria in the latter law will be prohibited from recruitment to NTNU.

After the appointment you must assume that there may be changes in the area of work.

It is a prerequisite you can be present at and accessible to the institution daily.

About the application

The application and supporting documentation to be used as the basis for the assessment must be in English.

Publications and other scientific work must follow the application. Please note that your application will be considered based solely on information submitted by the application deadline. You must therefore ensure that your application clearly demonstrates how your skills and experience fulfil the criteria specified above.

The application must include:

• Research statement (max. 3 pages) including:
• A short presentation of the motivation for a PhD study.
• How the applicant sees his/her background suitable for the position.
• The applicant’s view of research challenges for the selected PhD position, as well as his/her theoretical and methodological approach to the challenges.
• CV and certificates
• Transcripts and diplomas for bachelor's and master's degrees. If you have not completed the master's degree, you must submit a confirmation that the master's thesis has been submitted.
• A copy of the master's thesis. If you recently have submitted your master's thesis, you can attach a draft of the thesis. Documentation of a completed master's degree must be presented before taking up the position.
• Name and contact information of three referees
• If you have publications or other relevant research work

If all, or parts, of your education has been taken abroad, we also ask you to attach documentation of the scope and quality of your entire education, both bachelor's and master's education, in addition to other higher education. Description of the documentation required can be found here. If you already have a statement from NOKUT, please attach this as well.
We will take joint work into account. If it is difficult to identify your efforts in the joint work, you must enclose a short description of your participation.
In the evaluation of which candidate is best qualified, emphasis will be placed on education, experience, and personal and interpersonal qualities. Motivation, ambitions, and potential will also count in the assessment of the candidates.
NTNU is committed to following evaluation criteria for research quality according to The San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment - DORA.

General information

If you have any questions about the position, please contact prof. Kerstin Bach, telephone +4793032400, email kerstin.bach@ntnu.no. If you have any questions about the recruitment process, please contact HR at the Department, e-mail hr@idi.ntnu.no.

If you think this looks interesting and in line with your qualifications, please submit your application electronically via jobbnorge.no (link below) with your CV, diplomas and certificates attached. Applications submitted elsewhere will not be considered. Upon request, you must be able to obtain certified copies of your documentation.

Apply

External link to Norwegian University of Science and Technology job portal