TITLE OF POST: Post Doctoral Researcher in Computer Science
LOCATION: University of Limerick
REPORTS TO: Project Leader
CONTRACT TYPE: Specific Purpose
SALARY SCALE: €38,750 - €47,255 p.a. pro rata (Maximum starting salary €45,930 p.a. pro rata)

JOB DESCRIPTION

QUALIFICATIONS:
•    A doctoral degree (level 10 NFQ) in Computer Science, Machine Learning, Data Analytics or Software Engineering

OVERALL PURPOSE OF THE JOB:

Lero – the Irish Software Research Centre (www.lero.ie) is Ireland’s national software research centre. Lero has recently received significant direct grant funding in excess of €30m from Science Foundation Ireland and from industry partners. Lero is headquartered at the University of Limerick and involves all universities in Ireland, with member institutions in Cork, Dublin, Dundalk, Limerick, Galway, and Maynooth.

This project, “The Development of Intelligent Multi-functional Autonomous, Adaptive and Assistive Technologies for the Agricultural Farms of the Future” (A3TA), is a multi-institution project sponsored by Dairymaster and involves researchers from a variety of areas such as Machine Learning, Software Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electronic Engineering and Food Engineering.  This is a unique opportunity to work on a data analytics project with direct access to those in charge of gathering the data and building the sensors. The MooMonitor is a rugged data sensor that operates in a huge variety of conditions, providing a challenging task for data interpretation and fusion which will require the use of Machine Learning algorithms such as Genetic Programming and Grammatical Evolution to ensure robust performance under these highly variable conditions. The research focuses on performing advanced data analytics and machine learning on real world data generated by large-scale farm systems such as the “MooMonitor” heat detection system and other herd management tools. Data from other sensors will also be examined, with a view to performing multi-modal predictions for animal health in real time in real world situations.

The successful applicant will be a key member of a cross-disciplinary research team, with specific responsibilities for being a senior member of a research team. This work will involve design of experiments for the project; construction of software for the experiments; writing scientific papers; involvement with grant applications; interacting with both academic and industrial partners; meeting with postgraduates and meeting with undergraduates.

It is expected that this work will achieve the following:

  • The creation of a Machine Learning/Data Analytics system that processes data for animal health
  • The production of a set of recommendations for new sensors to increase the amount and quality of data available
  • Publication of scientific papers
  • Newly awarded grants to extend the work
  • Co-supervision credit on a PhD thesis
  • Some interaction with undergraduates (limited teaching hours)

The successful candidate will contribute to the research by

  • Building a data analytics system to predict animal health using existing data from Dairymaster
  • Evaluate other data sensors to improve the quality of predictions
  • Recommend improvements and changes to the sensors to better record the data
  • Use Machine Learning and Automatic Programming tools to build data fusers
  • Co-supervising a PhD student working on the same project
  • Collaborating with the Principal Investigator in team teaching activities
  • Interacting on a senior level with our collaborators and spending time with our industrial partner

The successful candidate will be required to travel between research and industry locations in Ireland

Potential candidates are encouraged to contact Conor Ryan (Conor.Ryan@ul.ie) informally to discuss the positions. Please refer to “Postdoc A3TA” in the subject of your e-mail.

Applying for the position

Further information for applicants and application material is available online from: http://www.ul.ie/hrvacancies/