An opening for a PhD, or MSc+PhD, student position is available in the
group of Robert Hoehndorf at the King Abdullah University of Science
and Technology, Thuwal, Saudi Arabia.

Group website: http://borg.kaust.edu.sa

Research area: Machine learning and ontologies in biology

Location: Thuwal, Saudi Arabia

Application deadline: Fall 2017

Project description:

Some recent advances in machine learning have led to feature learning
methods that can learn the regularities (i.e., the
"conceptualization") underlying a domain. Ontologies are the explicit,
symbolic representations of these conceptualizations. There still
remains a gap in AI between the distributed representations that are
learned by recent machine learning algorithms and the symbolic
representations of the same phenomena. Closing this gap is a major
remaining challenge for AI with significant impact in biology and
biomedicine in which a large number of symbolic representations
(ontologies and knowledge graphs) have been developed and are
applied. In this project, the PhD student will work on the boundaries
between statistical and symbolic approaches to AI and develop novel AI
methods with applications in biology and biomedicine.  Major
application areas include understanding molecular mechanisms
underlying traits, phenotypes, and disease, and identifying ways to
perturb biological systems through bioactive compounds (drugs).

The student will join a productive research team at one of the
fastest-growing research universities, located in Thuwal, KSA, by the
Red Sea.

Expertise required:
- MSc degree (of BSc degree for MS+PhD applicants) at the
  Commendation/Distinction level in computer science, electrical
  engineering, or mathematics.
- Excellent programming skills.
- Experience in machine learning, optimization, knowledge
  representation, Semantic Web technologies, or bioinformatics is
  desirable but not required.

Students are entitled to a competitive stipend, free, fully-furnished
housing on the KAUST campus, free medical and life insurance, and free
education at KAUST schools for the student's children. KAUST will be
responsible for the actual admission offer, stipend and benefits.

How to apply:

Full application must be submitted through the application website at
https://www.kaust.edu.sa/en/study/applying-to-kaust.
Before applying, please send your CV and a brief letter of motivation
by email to robert.hoehndorf@kaust.edu.sa.

Contact: 

For any questions related to the position, please contact
robert.hoehndorf@kaust.edu.sa.