Professorial Position in Machine Learning at the University of Surrey

The University of Surrey is an international university with a world-class research profile and an enterprising spirit. The University has an outstanding record in student employment and teaching excellence. The Department of Computer Science embodies the ethos of “applying theory into practice” across its research and teaching activities.
The Department of Computer Science within the Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences has an international reputation for research and teaching. Research in the department is focussed on two main areas - Nature Inspired Computing and Engineering (NICE), and Secure Systems, with Surrey hosting one of only 13 Academic Centres of Excellence recognised by GCHQ.
This post offers an exciting opportunity for a Professorial appointment in the Nature Inspired Computing and Engineering group. The vision of the group is to better human life and the environment by understanding and simulating how nature works.
The successful candidate will provide leadership in research in machine learning at the highest level and develop strategic partnerships. We welcome applications from both academia and industry. We are open to a variety of machine learning and cognitive systems specialisms that are related to, or complement current strengths of the group including (but not limited to): computational intelligence, computational neuroscience, with applications to data-driven engineering optimisation, self-organising and autonomous systems, health care and bioinformatics. It is expected that the post-holder will also contribute to high quality teaching at undergraduate and post-graduate level, for example in data science.
The initial focus of the post is working as part of the senior team to drive forward machine learning research within the Department, across the University and internationally with academia and industry. The Department has excellent links with Honda, The Pirbright Institute and Moorfields Hospital. It offers the unique opportunity to grow interdisciplinary research within Surrey, for example with the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences involving the Surrey Sleep Research Centre and within the Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences which has expertise in machine learning across several of its Departments and research centres.
The Department is implementing a strong growth plan which has seen its academic staff base increase by over 35% in the last year, with a focus on security. The Department has now prioritised future growth in the area of machine learning research and immediately after the appointment to this Chair the Department intends to appoint a further faculty member at Lecturer level alongside this post.
For an informal discussion about the positions, please contact the Head of Department of Computer Science, Dr Helen Treharne on h.treharne-AT-surrey.ac.uk or Professor Paul Krause, Director of Research, on p.krause-AT-surrey.ac.uk.
A search exercise is being undertaken by Society who will support the University Panel decision to identify the widest possible field of candidates and assist in their assessment. For further details, including job description, person specification and information on how to apply, please contact www.society-search.com quoting reference 0475 or to discuss the position further contact Nina Patel on +(0) 44 20 36530479
The closing date is 3rd October 2016 at 5pm (GMT). Interviews will be held in on 19th and 20th October, in Guildford. Presentations will be given on the afternoon of 19th October 2016 and the interviews will follow on the 20th October, 2016. It is expected that candidates will participate on both days. The start date is anticipated to be April 2017 (or earlier). Visits to Guildford and to the Department can be arranged for short-listed candidates, in advance of the interview date.
The University is committed to building a culturally diverse organisation and strongly encourages applications from female and minority candidates.
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Yaochu Jin, PhD Dr.-Ing. FIEEE
Professor in Computational Intelligence
Head, Nature Inspired Computing and Engineering Group
Department of Computer Science
University of Surrey
Guildford, Surrey, GU2 7XH, UK
Finland Distinguished Professor, University of Jyvaskyla, Finland
Changjiang Distinguished Professor, Northeastern University, China
Editor-in-Chief, IEEE Transactions on Cognitive and Developmental Systems
Co-Editor-in-Chief, Complex & Intelligent Systems (Springer)
http://www.surrey.ac.uk/cs/research/nice/people/ya...
Office: Room 35BB02
Phone: +44 1483 686037
Skype: yaochu.jin1