Postdoc in Foundation Models for Sign Language

Job description

In recent years, AI models have shown remarkable capabilities of understanding, producing and translating language. Sign languages have however largely left out of this rapid development. In the project Foundation Models for Sign Language we will develop semantic representation models for sign language. Such representations are key to allowing SL to be efficiently processed by large language models (LLMs), and will lead to machine learning models that can understand, process, translate and generate SL efficiently.

We invite applications for a postdoctoral researcher with a strong background in deep learning, unsupervised models, NLP and/or sign language processing.

Your Role
You will work on developing large scale models for sign-language processing, based on unsupervised representation learning and large language models. The models will be fine-tuned and evaluated on downstream tasks in recognition, segmentation, translation and retrieval. You will work with large multilingual datasets as well as unique Swedish sign language data through our collaboration with SU and SVT. The position involves interdisciplinary collaboration with experts in machine learning, linguistics, and multimodal communication. Results will be published in leading conferences and journals, and models will be released as open source.

What we offer

• A position at a leading technical university that generates knowledge and skills for a sustainable future
• Engaged and ambitious colleagues along with a creative, international and dynamic working environment
• Work in Stockholm, in close proximity to nature
• Guidance on relocating and settling in KTH and in Sweden 
• Collaboration with both technical and linguistic researchers, including sign language experts, as well as industry partners such as SVT.
• A supportive and inclusive academic environment with possibilities for career development.

Read more about what it's like to work at KTH and our benefits.

Qualifications

Requirements

• A doctoral degree or an equivalent foreign degree in computer science, machine learning, computational linguistics, or a closely related field. This eligibility requirement must be met no later than the time the employment decision is made.
• Documented hands-on expertise in deep learning, representation learning working with large data sets.
• Strong programming skills (e.g. Python, PyTorch)
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a multidisciplinary team.

Preferred qualifications

• A doctoral degree or an equivalent foreign degree, obtained within the last three years prior to the application deadline
• Previous experience in sign language processing and/or foundation model training is highly meritorious.
• Awareness of diversity and equal opportunity issues, with specific focus on gender equality

Great emphasis will be placed on personal skills.

Trade union representatives

Contact information to trade union representatives.

To apply for the position

Log into KTH's recruitment system to apply for this position. You are responsible for ensuring that your application is complete according to the instructions in the ad.

Your application should include the following:

• CV including relevant professional experience and knowledge.
• Copy of diplomas and grades from university studies (with English or Swedish translation if applicable)
• Brief account of why you want to conduct research, your academic interests and how they relate to your previous studies and future goals. Max one page long.

Your complete application must be received at KTH no later than the last day of application, midnight CET/CEST (Central European Time/Central European Summer Time).

About the employment

The position offered is for, at the most, two years.

A position as a postdoctoral fellow is a time-limited qualified appointment focusing mainly on research, intended as a first career step after a dissertation.

Others

Striving towards gender equality, diversity and equal conditions is both a question of quality for KTH and a given part of our values.

For information about processing of personal data in the recruitment process.

It may be the case that a position at KTH is classified as a security-sensitive role in accordance with the Protective Security Act (2018:585). If this applies to the specific position, a security clearance will be conducted for the applicant in accordance with the same law with the applicant's consent. In such cases, a prerequisite for employment is that the applicant is approved following the security clearance.

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Disclaimer: In case of discrepancy between the Swedish original and the English translation of the job announcement, the Swedish version takes precedence.

About KTH

KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm has grown to become one of Europe’s leading technical and engineering universities, as well as a key centre of intellectual talent and innovation. We are Sweden’s largest technical research and learning institution and home to students, researchers and faculty from around the world. Our research and education covers a wide area including natural sciences and all branches of engineering, as well as architecture, industrial management, urban planning, history and philosophy. Read more here