About the Job
Eligibility Criteria

• Doctoral Status: Applicants must not own a doctoral degree at the date of recruitment.
• Mobility Rule: Candidates must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in Switzerland for more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately before the recruitment date.
• Nationality: Open to all nationalities.
• Doctoral Programme Enrollment: You must be willing to enrol in a doctoral programme at EPFL.
• Full-Time Commitment: The position requires full-time commitment with a physical presence at the recruiting institution. Teleworking is not permitted.
• Educational Background/Training: Candidates would preferably hold a Master (or equivalent) degree in a relevant field, have gained experience with transformers and language models, and proficiency in Python and Py Torch/Tensor Flow.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct research as outlined in the project’s objectives under the supervision of Professor Andrea Cavallaro.
• Engage in secondments as part of the project’s training activities with Professor Carlos Zednik and Professor Avigdor Gal.
• Contribute to academic publications, project reports, and other dissemination activities.
• Participate in structured training programs and network-wide events organised by the consortium.
• Collaborate with international partners and other Doctoral Candidates within the network.

Selection Process

• Application Submission: Applications must be submitted by 18 November 2024.
• Selection Criteria: Candidates will be evaluated based on their academic background, research experience, and alignment with the project’s objectives. The selection process will be open, transparent, merit-based, impartial, and equitable.
• Interview: Shortlisted candidates will be invited for a structured interview with predefined questions and a scoring system.
• Reserve List: A reserve list of top candidates may be created for future opportunities.
• Selection Committee: The selection committee will comprise diverse experts ensuring gender balance, nationality diversity, and relevant experience.

Benefits

• Competitive Salary: The gross monthly salary is € 4372.40, subject to tax and social security deductions.
• Social Security & Pension: Full coverage under Switzerland’s social security and pension schemes.
• Mobility Allowance: Additional monthly allowance for living costs related to relocation.
• Other Allowances: Family allowance, long-term leave allowance, and special needs allowance will be available if needed.
• Professional Development: Access to high-quality training, networking opportunities, and career development support.

Application Procedure
How to Apply: Submit your certificate, CV, cover letter (e.g., why are you interested in this project and/or what will you bring to this project. Max two pages), and contact information for two references through https://www.idiap.ch/en/careers.

Documentation: Candidates may be required to provide proof of residency history and eligibility criteria.

Timeline: The successful candidates will be invited for interviews by the 6th December 2024, and the final decision will be made by the 13th December 2024.

Additional Information

• VISA Support: Where applicable, assistance with VISA and relocation procedures will be provided.

For more information about the project and the application process, please contact Dr Barbara Huguenin at


Equal Opportunity: We are committed to diversity and inclusion in our recruitment process, and we encourage applications from underrepresented groups and all qualified individuals, regardless of nationality, gender, or background.

Note: The recruitment process will adhere strictly to the European Charter for Researchers principles and the Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers.