Postdoctoral research associate in machine learning (representation learning, curiosity-based learning, Bayesian theories of deep learning, reinforcement learning)

A postdoctoral research associate position is available within a EU-funded project that aims to develop artificial intelligent systems able to automatically generate software. After 3-4 years, the project is expected to spin off a startup, and the candidate will have the opportunity to be part of this startup.
The postdoctoral research associate will work on machine learning models that allow an artificial agent to develop structured, hierarchical representations of its environment, by interacting with this environment. These models will integrate and develop upon curiosity-based learning, Bayesian theories of deep learning, and reinforcement learning, and will be tested in simulations of physical environments (e.g., a robotic simulator) as well as in purely computational environments.
The position is offered for an initial period of 3 years, at the Romanian Institute of Science and Technology (RIST) in Cluj, Romania. The position will be part of the Deep Computational Intelligence group, one of two newly-formed groups in machine learning where about 20 new postdoctoral research associates and research software developers will be hired in the next year.
We are looking for self-motivated, independent, creative scientists, with strong analytical and computational modeling skills. Candidates should have a PhD, preferably in machine learning, statistical learning, representation learning, robotics or related fields. Candidates must have a strong publication record.
To apply, send to dci-AT-rist.ro your CV (indicating your 3 most representative publications), a letter of intent in which you motivate your interest in this position and explain why your skills, knowledge and experience makes you a suitable candidate for the position, as well as the names and contact details of at least two references.
The contract will start as soon as the position is filled, after September / October 2016. Net salary is from 1,700 to 2,000 euros per month, while the cost of living in Cluj is significantly lower than in Western Europe or the USA. The working language is English.
The project, called “Automated software development through abstraction in deep, distributed computational models” (AutoWare), is funded by European structural funds and is led by Dr. Bipin Indurkhya (project director) and Dr. Răzvan Valentin Florian (associate project director).
Cluj hosts Romania’s largest university and boasts a rapidly developing IT industry. Cluj is the main city of Transylvania, which has been named by Lonely Planet as the top region to visit in its 2016 Best in Travel ranking.
More information: http://rist.ro/en/details/news/postdoctoral-resear...