The new ELLIS call for Fellows & Scholars is open!

Jan 4, 2024 | Opportunities

The new ELLIS call for Fellows & Scholars is open!

ELLIS appoints Fellows and Scholars in a model inspired by the Canadian LMB CIFAR network , organised in Fellowship Programs that study common research themes through workshops and collaboration.

This plays a dual role: (1) Fellows are high-caliber scientists advancing the field, (2) creating a community and giving a voice to Machine Learning and AI. In Canada, the latter strongly influenced the pan-Canadian AI strategy which resulted in the foundation of three major new centers for AI (Mila in Montreal, Vector in Toronto, and Amii in Edmonton).

ELLIS Fellows advance science and act as ambassadors of ELLIS. They provide strategic advice and leadership not just scientifically, but also in terms of how to build and grow ELLIS. ELLIS Scholars are outstanding junior scientists, often assistant professors, who do not yet have the seniority of a Fellow but are on a clear trajectory to reach this level. Below, we use the term “Fellow” to collectively refer to Fellows and Scholars alike.

In addition to (1) and (2), Fellows also play a role in

Student supervision in the ELLIS PhD program
Establishing ELLIS units and institutes
Providing strategic advice and helping to define the scope of ELLIS
Selection of new Fellows

The ELLIS Fellowship Programs bring together academics at regular meetings throughout Europe to promote free exchange of ideas and help create a European community of top AI researchers to retain and attract talent. Together, they stand up for European interests and generate high international visibility. Fellow programs are funded by the ELISE project and hence the fellow appointments are guaranteed until the end of the ELISE project funding (2024).

Only directors of Programs and Units can nominate Fellows. Every proposed Fellow goes through an evaluation process by the ELLIS Fellow committee. The selection is based solely on scientific excellence. In order to guarantee independence of the process, Fellows are only evaluated by (a) Fellows who are not based in the same country as the candidate, (b) do not have the same nationality as the candidate, and (c) have no conflict of interest. Proposals are checked against a set of “objective” criteria such as: high number of publications at top tier conferences high citation impact international awards and prizes. For more information about the nomination process please contact directly the director(s) of the Program or Unit you would like to be part of.

I'm Interested

How to apply:

The deadline for nominations is 1 March 2024. Please note that nominations are only possible through the directors of ELLIS Programs and ELLIS Units – people interested in applying should therefore contact the respective directors directly.

You will find more information about the guidelines for evaluating scientific excellence for Fellow/Scholar nominations here.

#Opportunity: Postdoctoral Position on Multimodal Narrative Analysis at the University of Copenhagen

Dec 1, 2023 | Opportunities

#Opportunity: Postdoctoral Position on Multimodal Narrative Analysis at the University of Copenhagen

Postdoctoral position on Multimodal Narrative Analysis

Duration: 2 years (starting September 2024)

The Department of Computer Science (DIKU) at the University of Copenhagen

The Department of Computer Science (DIKU) at the University of Copenhagen invites application for a 2-year postdoctoral full-time research position in the domain of Machine Learning for narrative analysis, drawing upon methods from NLP and Computer Vision.

We are looking for a candidate with a solid background in Machine Learning and intellectual curiosity in fact-checking, deep-fakes, and/or disinformation. Knowledge in topic modeling, argument mining, visual question answering, and sentiment analysis is a plus. Successful candidates must have demonstrated their ability to publish in top tier venues, such as NeurIPS, ICLR, CVPR, and/or EMNLP.

Inquiries about the position can be made to Prof. Serge Belongie, sjb@aicentre.dk

The position is for 24 months and open from 1 September 2024, or as soon as possible thereafter.

The University wishes our staff to reflect the diversity of society and thus welcomes applications from all qualified candidates regardless of personal background.

Working environment

The research is part of the Horizon Europe European Lighthouse of AI for Sustainability (ELIAS) project and will be conducted in collaboration with researchers at the Pioneer Centre for Artificial Intelligence.

You will be part of both the Pioneer Centre for AI and DIKU, offering a vibrant, international research community working across disciplines. DIKU is a member of the ELLIS unit Copenhagen, and Prof. Belongie is an ELLIS Fellow and Board Member. DIKU and the Pioneer Centre for AI offer its researchers generous support for career development, own fundraising, travel, and visitors, as well as support for and access to computing facilities.

International applicants

The University of Copenhagen offers international researchers and their families a broad variety of services, such as support before and during relocation and career counselling to expat partners. Most international candidates qualify for a special foreign-researcher-tax scheme. Please find more information about these services as well as practical information on entering and working in Denmark here:https://ism.ku.dk/.

Copenhagen is continuously ranked among the top-5 livable cities in the world with clean air, beautiful architecture, a rich cultural life and dedication to work-life balance and “hygge”. Employees are offered 6-weeks of vacation annually, generous parental leave and Copenhagen offers great childcare facilities, international schools and is a very family-friendly city.

Terms of employment

The position is covered by the Memorandum on Job Structure for Academic Staff.

Terms of appointment and payment accord to the agreement between the Ministry of Finance and The Danish Confederation of Professional Associations on Academics in the State.

Negotiation for salary supplement is possible.

I'm Interested

How to apply:

The application, in English, must be submitted electronically by clicking APPLY NOW below. Please include:

Curriculum vitae
Diplomas (copy of Master and PhD degree certificate or equivalent)
Research plan – description of current and future research plans
Complete publication list

The deadline for applications is 1 February 2024, 23:59 GMT +1.

After the expiry of the deadline for applications, the authorized recruitment manager selects applicants for assessment on the advice of the Interview Committee.

Interviews will be held in early March.

You can read about the recruitment process at http://employment.ku.dk/faculty/recruitment-process/

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#ADRF23: A Glimpse into the World of AI Networks of Excellence

Nov 3, 2023 | News

#ADRF23: A Glimpse into the World of AI Networks of Excellence

AI, Data, Robotics Forum 2023: Generative AI for European society and industry

8-9 November 2023, Inria HQ, Versailles

The much-anticipated AI, Data, Robotics Forum 2023 (ADRF23) is just around the corner, and it promises to provide a holistic perspective on the realm of AI Networks of Excellence. This remarkable event is scheduled to kick off on November 8th in Versailles, this event will bring together some of the brightest minds and most influential players in the field of AI and robotics.

ELIAS will also be presented together with standing alongside other prestigious European Networks of Excellence in AI & Robotics!

The European Networks of Excellence Centres in AI and Robotics will have their first joint booth – search for an unmistakable blue-coloured design in the “RENOIR” exhibition area at the ADR Forum.

This remarkable collaboration has been made possible thanks to the VISION project, which is generously facilitating and sponsoring a joint presentation. For the first time, AI Networks of Excellence will unite under a common visual identity for AI NoE, resulting in a dedicated booth at ADRF23, as the Gold Partner of the ADRF 2023.

ADRF23, known as the “AI, Data, Robotics Forum 2023,” is designed to shed light on the advancements in Generative AI for European society and industry. It serves as the perfect stage for the “AI NoE” Community to make its mark while attracting key stakeholders from the Adra – AI-Data-Robotics-Association ecosystem including European Commission representatives.

Join us on 8 and 9 November in the Inria Headquarters in Versailles and seize the opportunity to connect with members of our community, especially – but not only – during the breaks:

8 November: 11:25-11:50, 13:30-14:15, 15:45-16:00

9 November: 10:15-10:45, 13:00-13:30, 15:00-15:30

Do not miss the chance to be part of this extraordinary convergence of AI excellence at ADRF23, where innovation, collaboration, and the future of trustworthy AI take center stage

More information:

agenda

adrforum.eu

register

#Opportunity: Entrepreneurship Project Coordinator – Tübingen AI Center

Sep 29, 2023 | Opportunities

#Opportunity: Entrepreneurship Project Coordinator – Tübingen AI Center

Entrepreneurship Project Coordinator

(m/f/d, E 13 TV-L, 100%)

Duration: 4 years (starting autumn 2023)

The Tübingen AI Center – a thriving national hub for artificial intelligence research at the University of Tübingen.

About ELIAS:

Funded by the European Union’s Horizon Europe program, ELIAS envisions propelling Europe to the forefront of Artificial Intelligence (AI) research that champions sustainable growth and innovation. ELIAS builds on and expands the successful and internationally recognized “European Laboratory for Learning and Intelligent Systems” (ELLIS Society), and is dedicated to pinpointing areas where AI can catalyze sustainable economic expansion that benefits society, the environment, and individuals. Next to fundamental science, an important endeavor of ELIAS, led by the Tübingen AI Center, is to foster entrepreneurship and technological transfer. A key initiative in this context is the establishment of the European Innovation Alliance (EIA), a coalition of leading AI innovation partners, aimed at nurturing talent and spawning transformative AI startups and sustainable tech solutions.

Responsibilities

Establish and coordinate the European Innovation Alliance (EIA), orchestrating collaborations amongst 20 seminal partners focused on deep tech AI, sustainability ventures, and an open-source research community on foundation models and generative AI
Comprehensive management and oversight of the EU project work package, including financial and administrative dimensions
Liaising with project partners and overseeing the progress made by the collaborators of this work package on establishing a transformative technology summer school, increasing the visibility of tech transfer among students and mentors in the ELLIS PhD program, developing a start-up internship program, organizing hackathons and an open call to SMEs
Documenting relevant statistics and creating project status reports
Representing the project in meetings and acting as the main liaison for EIA network partners, sponsors, and the public
Organization of conferences, workshops, and project meetings
Public relations work for the EIA (website, social media, policy briefings)

Qualifications

Advanced university degree (MSc or PhD)
Candidates should meet several of the following competencies:
- English proficiency in both written and spoken forms; German proficiency is a valuable addition.
- Experience in network establishment and partner management.
- Experience with technology transfer and spin-offs from academic or private research environments
- Acumen in the selection of EIA partners based on their excellence in deep tech entrepreneurship around AI and sustainability
- Aptitude for creating a partner networks’ representation for the EIA (e.g., website or newsletter)
- Prior experience with university-associated third-party funding administration
- Great communication, teamwork, and organizational skills
- Familiarity with EU project management and associated reporting would be a significant advantage

Offer

Join us in navigating an international landscape to build a strong alliance for “AI made in Europe”. Collaborate closely with a diverse team of researchers, students, and professionals, all united in the vision of unlocking a new wave of entrepreneurship across Europe on AI and sustainability. Compensation aligns with the public service sector’s collective agreement (TV-L), including comprehensive social benefits and a public transportation subsidy. Additionally, co-appointments with industry stakeholders, such as incubators, are encouraged and supported.

The University of Tübingen is committed to equal opportunity and diversity and takes individual life situations into account. The university wishes to increase the number of women in leadership positions and strongly encourages qualified women to apply. Applications from equally qualified candidates with disabilities will be given preference. The position can be shared. Employment processes are managed by the University of Tübingen’s central administration.

I'm Interested

How to apply:

Interested candidates should send their application (cover letter, CV, and relevant certificates) in a single PDF by 30.10.2023 to applications@tuebingen.ai with the subject “Application: Entrepreneurship Project Coordinator”.

Informal enquiries may be addressed to applications@tuebingen.ai.

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ELIAS: Forging a Path Towards Sustainable and Trustworthy AI Innovation

Sep 9, 2023 | News, Press Release

ELIAS: Forging a Path Towards Sustainable and Trustworthy AI Innovation

The ELIAS Project, a groundbreaking initiative dedicated to advancing artificial intelligence (AI) innovation and sustainability, held its official kick-off meeting in Trento, Italy, on September 6-7, 2023. Hosted by the University of Trento, this event marked the commencement of a four-year journey encompassing Sustainable AI, Trustworthy AI, and Nurturing Excellence in AI.

Artificial intelligence has become a ubiquitous topic of conversation, with numerous research groups around the world actively engaged in advancing cutting-edge technologies across various domains. Yet, true competitiveness in this field requires aspiring to broader and more ambitious goals, particularly for those seeking to establish European leadership in this domain. Such an achievement can only be realised through collaborative networking, and this is where the ELIAS project truly shines.

ELIAS, an acronym for “European Lighthouse of AI for Sustainability,” stands out as a pioneering endeavour due to both its scope and innovative approach. With a mission to galvanize the field of machine learning, ELIAS aims to establish itself as a central reference point by fostering collaboration among 34 active affiliates in this sector, along with a cohort of associated partners hailing from 17 different countries.

Over the next four years, researchers will be dedicated to developing new computational systems and mathematical models to provide original and achievable solutions to urgent contemporary issues. Elias’ challenge is to bridge the academic and business worlds at the European level. The tools to achieve this include research, the mobility of doctoral students, and support for young talents who, upon completing their studies, can establish innovative startups. The research areas are diverse but interconnected. For instance, artificial intelligence can be used to identify the best materials for constructing green buildings or environmentally friendly industrial components. It can also be employed to monitor the migration of people arriving in Europe and investigate the motivations behind their journeys. Additionally, AI can be applied to develop cybersecurity prevention systems and models for analysing climate change.

ELIAS will embark on collaborative initiatives in tandem with other European Network of Excellence (NoE) projects, such as AI4Media, TAILOR, and HUMANE AI NET, as well as European Laboratory for Learning and Intelligent Systems (ELLIS) units. This collaborative effort establishes a comprehensive ecosystem for the advancement of artificial intelligence. Representatives from ELLIS, ELISE, and ELSA offered insights into ELIAS’s role within the broader AI research community.

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AI for environmental sustainability, equitable economic development, and societal well-being

The University of Trento will coordinate the collaborative efforts among different partners, encompassing universities, research institutions, and industrial entities, all united in their commitment to addressing the pressing challenges of our time: environmental sustainability, equitable economic development, and societal well-being. Niculae Sebe, a professor at the Department of Information Engineering and Computer Science (DISI) and the project’s coordinator, highlighted the project’s mission: “Our objective is to ensure that technological breakthroughs in the realm of machine learning not only elevate the quality of life for individuals, but also benefit society as a whole and contribute to the well-being of our entire planet. Our endeavours will revolve around the development of algorithms designed to uncover solutions that promote and attain this sustainability.”

The future of AI research holds immense promise, and ELIAS stands at the forefront of this transformative journey. With its multidisciplinary approach and steadfast commitment to nurturing young talent, the project underscores its dedication to making substantial contributions to the evolving landscape of artificial intelligence.

The ELIAS Project is dedicated to propelling the scientific advancement of AI in Europe, with the ultimate goal of positioning the continent as a global leader in AI research.

For additional information about the ELIAS Project, please refer:

ELIAS: http://www.elias-ai.eu/

Press Release: ELIAS KoM Meeting – 26/09/2023