Postdoctoral Researcher

ETH SINGAPORE SEC LTD.; Singapore; Hybrid; SGD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading research center in Singapore is looking for a Postdoctoral Researcher to co-develop an open-source framework that integrates Machine Learning into existing scientific codes. The ideal candidate has a PhD in Computer Science, strong expertise in ML, and excellent communication skills. This role involves collaboration with international teams and supervising students. A positive work environment and flexible arrangements are offered.

Benefits

25 days of annual leave

1 day of Birthday Leave

Comprehensive healthcare insurance

Flexible hybrid work arrangement

Annual dental benefits

Qualifications

• PhD required in a relevant field.
• Strong foundation in ML and experience in teaching.
• Knowledge of ML training and inference workloads.

Responsibilities

• Co-lead the development of an open-source ML framework.
• Work with prospective users of the AI4Science framework.
• Prepare insights for submission as scientific papers.
• Co-supervise MSc and BSc students.

Skills

Background in computer science

Machine Learning expertise

Strong communication skills

Experience in teaching or communication

Proficiency in written and spoken English

Education

PhD in Computer Science or related field

Job description

Intro

ETH Zurich is one of the leading universities of the world with a strong focus on science and engineering. In 2010 it established the Singapore-ETH Centre (SEC) in collaboration with the National Research Foundation (NRF) to do interdisciplinary research on pressing problems.

The Singapore-ETH Centre is home to a community of doctoral, postdoctoral and professorial researchers working in three main programmes: Future Cities Laboratory, Future Resilient Systems, and Future Health Technologies. The centre provides a multicultural and interdisciplinary environment to researchers working on diverse themes, with the shared vision of translating research to practical solutions for more sustainable and liveable cities, resilient physical and social urban systems, and patient-centric healthcare systems.

Project background

The current era of artificial intelligence is predominantly driven by advances in computational power and infrastructure. As models scale to unprecedented sizes, their capabilities are enhanced through strategies such as reinforcement learning (RL) and innovative frameworks like the "graph of thoughts". We are firmly in the "Age of Computation", where breakthroughs in AI are synonymous with the ability to harness and optimize massive computational resources. However, this rapid growth in computational demands comes with a critical challenge: energy limitations. Around the globe, new power plants are being constructed to meet the demands of AI workloads, underscoring the urgent need for efficiency to ensure these advancements benefit humanity sustainably. Especially in Singapore, such resources may be scarce and hinder the ability of the country’s researchers to advance in this most important field.

Our collaborative efforts with the A*STAR Institute of High Performance Computing (IHPC) and other partners in Singapore, such as NTU, could be pivotal in this field, driving the development and implementation of innovative AI methods and saving millions of dollars in compute time while accelerating scientific productivity. To enhance the efficacy of AI for Science models, it is imperative to integrate simulations that encode prior scientific knowledge within these AI frameworks. This integration is aimed at creating new models imbued with robust prior knowledge, such as simulated behaviors defined by fundamental equations and conservation laws. Our approach involves the close collaboration of experts from A*STAR / IHPC, who bring extensive experience in high-performance computing and AI-driven scientific research. Together, we aim to push the boundaries of what AI can achieve in scientific domains, ensuring that simulations and AI methodologies are combined to produce highly accurate and reliable models.

Job description

The Postdoctoral Researcher will be co-leading the development of an open-source framework which enables scientists to integrate ML methods into existing scientific codes. This framework needs to be well documented, i.e., include excellent API documentation and tutorials to simplify adoption by new users.

Some key components in the work are:

• Working with prospective users of the AI4Science framework is beneficial. This means a successful candidate should be able to adapt to different fields of science.
• The team working on this subject is distributed across Singapore and Zurich, thus a successful candidate must both be able to work independently and be excellent at communicating with remote colleagues.
• Preparing key insights from the work performed for submission as scientific papers.
• Co-supervision of MSc and BSc students.

Requirements

• PhD in Computer Science or any related field.
• Successful candidates have a background in computer science, ML and experience in teaching or communicating about technical challenges.
• Prior knowledge of ML training and inference workloads is essential. A good candidate will have existing publications in this area.
• Applicants need to be proficient in written and spoken English.

Why SEC is your employer of choice?

• Accredited with 5 Tripartite Standards by Tripartite Alliance for Fair & Progressive Employment Practices (TAFEP) Singapore.
• A diverse workplace with 32 nationalities, offering ample opportunities for mutual learning.
• Positive and inclusive working environment.
• 25 days of annual leave for fixed-term contracts.
• 1 day of Birthday Leave.
• Annual dental benefits.
• Committed to being a supportive employer as you prioritize your physical and mental wellness.
• Comprehensive healthcare insurance coverage.
• Flexible hybrid work arrangement (up to 2 days per week from home).
• Abundant networking opportunities across various disciplines.
• Accredited with NS mark certification.

The Singapore-ETH Centre is an equal opportunity and family-friendly employer. All candidates will be evaluated on their merits and qualifications, without regards to gender, race, age or religion.

Curious? So are we.

We look forward to receiving your online application with the following documents:

• A cover letter with a specific statement of your motivation for the project.
• Your CV including the name and contact information of 2 references.
• A copy of your university transcripts as PDFs.

Applications via email or postal services will not be considered.

Work location: 1 Create Way, CREATE Tower, Singapore 138602 (NUS University Town)

Further information about The Singapore-ETH Centre can be found on our website: https://sec.ethz.ch/

For further information, please contact: Mrs. Iva Kabosch (ETH Zurich) at [e-mail]