Research Fellow - Qrowd (1022218FP)

We are looking for a highly motivated postdoctoral researcher to work on QROWD (http://qrowd-project.eu/), an EU Horizon 2020 collaborative research and innovation programme involving industrial partners across Europe which runs until November 2019. 

The aim of QROWD is to capitalize on hybrid Big Data integration and analytics methods, i.e., the effective and efficient combination of algorithms and human computation across all links of the Big Data Value Chain, in particular, for the improvement of urban mobility.

You will undertake research on the use of human computation techniques for continuously improving the accuracy of machine learning classifiers and data integration tasks, including the development of benchmarking methods for quantifying the tradeoff between accuracy gain and decrease of processing speed. You are expected to adapt your methods to different crowds (paid microworkers, volunteers, citizens), interfaces (PC, mobile, home assistants), and deliver ready-to-use tools for specific scenarios.

You should have a PhD* or equivalent professional qualifications and experience in Computer Science or a related field. Expertise in one or more of the following areas is essential: Crowdsourcing, social computing, computer-human interaction. Prior experience with Human-in-the-loop approaches for improving machine-learning algorithms is desirable.

The post is based in the Web and Internet Science (WAIS) research group (www.wais.ecs.soton.ac.uk), which undertakes interdisciplinary research focusing on the science and technology of the Web and the Internet.  WAIS is one of six research groups within Electronics and Computer Science (ECS) at the University of Southampton.  ECS is the UK’s leading academic unit integrating computer science, electronics, and electrical engineering.

You must have outstanding time management, organisation, and collaboration skills. The post includes joint work with other institutions and meetings with the project team (quarterly or similar) in locations across Europe. It also requires strong English communication skills (oral and written) to engage with different organisations and roles, engage in public outreach, produce publications and present work to different audiences.

It is critical that the application shows clear evidence of both the technical and non-technical aspects relevant to the job.

Electronics and Computer Science Department is committed to provide equal opportunities and to advance the representation of women in STEM/M subjects: science, technology, engineering, mathematics and medicine. Due consideration will be given to applicants who have taken a career break. University of Southampton holds an Athena Swan Silver Award.

The University has a generous maternity policy and onsite childcare facilities; employees are able to participate in the childcare vouchers scheme.  Other benefits include state-of-the-art on-campus sports, arts and culture facilities, a full programme of events and a range of staff discounts.

*Applications for Research Fellow positions will be considered from candidates who are working towards or nearing completion of a relevant PhD qualification. The title of Research Fellow will be applied upon successful completion of the PhD. Prior to the qualification being awarded the title of Senior Research Assistant will be given.

The post is available for 1 year.

For further information please contact Professor Elena Simperl: e.simperl@soton.ac.uk

Application procedure:

You should submit your completed online application form at www.jobs.soton.ac.uk. The application deadline will be midnight on the closing date stated above. If you need any assistance, please call Rosie McPhail (Recruitment Team) on +44 (0) 23 8059 4043. Please quote reference 1022218FP on all correspondence.

Closing Date: 15 Jul 2018
Post Type: Education, Research & Enterprise