Postdoctoral Research Position in AI for Copernicus Maritime Surveillance

Simula: solving problems, making a difference. Simula’s mission is to solve fundamental problems of science and engineering, with the main goal of improving society. We do this by concentrating on five select research areas in ICT and performing excellent research, developing our people, and spinning out applicable results into profitable startups. Learn more about: working at Simula and careers at Simula

Project/Job description

In the Validation Intelligence for Autonomous Software Systems (VIAS) department, we are now seeking a 2-year postdoctoral fellow to work on the AI4COPSEC project.

The Copernicus Security Service (CSS) is instrumental in supporting the European Union’s security, safety, law enforcement, and international commitments with the European Commission. The AI4COPSEC project aims to demonstrate the potential of advanced ML and GeoAI models to provide relevant intelligence for enhancing existing Copernicus services, such as oil spill response, and illegal fishing alerts. It will also create new services intended to support Search-and-Rescue operations and irregular migration detection. The project will enhance CSS services through the usage of self-supervised deep learning models, geomatics and social media data (OSINT) extracted from heterogeneous multi-sources data.

The 2-year postdoctoral fellow will work as part of the AI4COPSEC project in developing advanced self-supervised ML models to detect anomalies in maritime traffic. By leveraging multiple sources of data (AIS, OSINT, Imagery) and working in close cooperation with the project partners and Simula’s research team, the candidate will advance state-of-the-art research results in Trustworthy AI by training and evaluating robust and reliable models able to detect voluntarily AIS shutdowns, to find irregular rendez-vous at sea and other anomalies.

We expect the candidate to take a leading technical role in developing these models and in the consortium by closely interacting with researchers and engineers from different European countries. The publication and presentation of new research results originating from these works are expected during this postdoctoral study, as well as initiating the transfer of these models for their integration with the Copernicus Security Service.

Keywords

Postdoc, Machine Learning, Deep Learning, Trustworthy AI, Copernicus, Security, Space, Maritime

Candidate Profile

We are looking for interested candidates who have completed their PhD (or are about to complete their PhD in the upcoming months) in Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Data Processing.

Must haves:

• academic background in Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning or Data Processing
• software development experience in Python 3+ years and practitioner of good software development practices
• fluent in English and ability to communicate with industrial partners

Nice to have:

• experience in developing deep-learning models using major frameworks such as PyTorch, Jax, or Keras
• experience with time-series data processing, e.g., for anomaly-detection or forecasting
• interest in maritime surveillance applications
• previous experience using the Copernicus Services
• speaking another official EU language

Simula Offers excellent opportunities for performing high-quality research, as part of a highly competent and motivated team of international researchers and engineers;

• An informal and inclusive international working environment.
• Generous support for travel and opportunities to build international networks, through established collaboration with industry, exchange programs and research visits with other universities, and funding to attend conferences.
• Modern office facilities located in downtown Oslo.
• Starting salary from NOK 575 400 or more depending on experience and skills.
• Numerous benefits: access to company cabin, sponsored social events, generous equipment budgets (e.g., computer, phone and subscription), subsidized canteen meals, comprehensive travel/health insurance policy, etc.
• Relocation assistance: accommodation, visas, complimentary Norwegian language courses, etc.
• Administrative research support: e.g., quality assurance process for grant proposals (including RCN and EU programs).
• Wellness and work-life balance. Our employees’ health and well-being is a priority and we encourage them to make use of our flexible work arrangements to help balance their work and home lives efficiently.

Application Requirements

Interested applicants are requested to submit the following:

• Curriculum vitae: Summarize your educational background, working experience (in particular, any relevant academic or industrial work), list of scientific publications, etc.
• Cover letter: Outline your motivation for applying, relevant experience and qualifications, research interests and how/why you are qualified for the position.

Application deadline

15 Jan 2025. Note that all applications will be evaluated on a rolling basis.

Contacts

Additional enquiries regarding the position can be addressed to:

• Arnaud Gotlieb - [email protected]* *
• Helge Spieker - [email protected]
• Thomas Röhr - [email protected]

About Simula and Norway

Simula Research Laboratory AS is a publicly owned research lab located in Oslo, Norway. Simula conducts Information and Communication Technology (ICT) research in the fields of scientific computing, software engineering, communication systems, machine learning and cybersecurity.

Simula's main objective is to create knowledge about fundamental scientific challenges that are of genuine value to society. This is achieved through high-quality research, education of graduate students, industry collaboration, technology transfer, and commercialization. Since 2001, scientific evaluations conducted by the Research Council of Norway have repeatedly placed Simula at the forefront of international research in ICT. The most recent in-depth evaluation was published in 2017, grading our full range of research as excellent.

Simula appreciates diversity. We currently employ approximately 200 individuals from 35 countries and strive to create a family-friendly working environment. We are an equal-opportunity employer and encourage women to apply.

Simula has a close collaboration with leading universities in Norway and abroad, both in terms of research and education and facilitates extended research stays abroad. Our Master's and PhD students conduct their research at Simula and attend courses and receive their degrees from university partners.

Norway is famous for its epic outdoor scenery, with wonderful fjords, gorgeous waterfalls and majestic mountain ranges. Moreover, Norway is a safe and peaceful country with a thriving economy, offering a high standard of living and all the benefits of a social-democratic welfare state, such as social security and universal public healthcare.

Learn more about Norway: Official travel guide to Norway

Simula Research Laboratory uses background checks in our recruitment process.

According to the Norwegian Freedom and Information Act (Offentleglova) information about the applicant may be included in the public applicant list, also in cases where the applicant has requested non-disclosure.

Employment for this position will be made according to the act relating to Control of the export of strategic goods, Services and Technology. Candidates who by assessment of the application and any attachments are considered to be in conflict with the export control regulations will not qualify for this position.