Job description

Job summary

The post of Research Assistant (pre-doctoral) or Research Associate (post-doctoral) will conduct research at the intersection of computational optimisation, machine learning, and experimental design of new chemistry. We will develop Bayesian optimisation and other active learning approaches for experimental design with a focus on real-world systems. While most of the work will be computational or mathematical, the successful candidate will also have the opportunity to visit BASF in Ludwigshafen, Germany for three months to try out the new algorithms in the lab.

The successful candidate will collaborate with Professor Ruth Misener and Dr Calvin Tsay in the Imperial College London Department of Computing and will be a member of the broader EPSRC-funded project IConIC (Innovative Continuous Manufacturing of Industrial Chemicals)

Duties and responsibilities

In addition to publishing research in top optimisation and machine learning venues, the Research Assistant/Associate will be expected to contribute towards developing and maintaining open source software related to this project (https://github.com/cog-imperial).

- To propose and investigate new techniques and algorithms for experimental design.

- To plan and carry out research in accordance with the project aims and timeframes.
- To collaborate and cooperate with other research staff and industrial partners of the
same project and other AI for Science projects funded by the UK EPSRC.
- To act as the representative for Imperial College in meetings, conference calls and
- To present research at conferences, workshops, open days, and publish research
results in journals.
- To liaise with other members of the team and cooperate with them for the benefit of the project objectives.
- To collaborate with industrial project partners.
- To collaborate with other researchers and staff within IConIC and participate in IConIC activities.                                                                                                                          
- To develop contacts and research collaborations in order to further the project aims.
- Assist in the supervision of undergraduate and postgraduate research students and research
assistants as required.
- To take initiatives in the planning of research.
- To maintain highly organised and accurate record of experimental work.
- To develop and maintain open-source software together with other group members.

Essential requirements

To apply for this position, you must have a proven strong publication track-record in machine learning, computational optimisation, process systems engineering, or a closely related discipline.  Algorithms development experience is also essential. 

You should also have:

• Research Associate level:
  • A PhD (or equivalent) in an area pertinent to the subject area, e.g., Computer Science, Applied Mathematics, Engineering Physics or Chemical Engineering. Alternatively, equivalent research or industrial experience.
  • Proven publication track-record, in one or more of the following areas: computational optimisation, open-source software, machine learning
• Research Assistant level:
  • Be close to completion of a PhD (or equivalent) in an area pertinent to the subject area, i.e., Computer Science, Applied Mathematics, Engineering Physics or Chemical Engineering. Alternatively, equivalent research or industrial experience.
  • Completion of courses or project work in one or more of the following areas: computational optimisation, open-source software, machine learning.

See job description for full list of requirements.

Further information

For further information on the Prof Misener’s and Dr Tsay’s research and related projects in the Computational Optimisation Group (http://optimisation.doc.ic.ac.uk), see http://wp.doc.ic.ac.uk/rmisener/ and https://www.doc.ic.ac.uk/~ctsay/

*Candidates who have not yet been officially awarded their PhD will be appointed as Research Assistant within the salary range £38,194 - £41,388 per annum.

How to apply - In addition to completing the online application, candidates should attach:

• A full CV, with a list of all publications
• A 2-page research statement indicating what you see are interesting research issues relating to the above post and why your expertise is relevant

Informal enquiries related to the position should be directed to Professor Ruth Misener r.misener@imperial.ac.uk

For queries regarding the application process contact Jamie Perrins: j.perrins@imperial.ac.uk

Documents

• JD RuthMisener ICONIC Apr23.pdf