About the role
Are you a researcher eager to push the boundaries of topological and geometric machine learning? Join the CIRCLE group at Imperial College London, led by Dr. Tolga Birdal, in a fully funded postdoctoral research role to lead transformative projects spanning theoretical research and practical applications.
The CIRCLE group at Imperial is seeking highly motivated and talented Postdoctoral Research Associates (PDRAs / PostDocs), who have demonstrated competence in conducting cutting-edge research. The positions are fully funded in the context of Prof. Birdal’s UKRI Future Leaders Fellowship, and focus on the design, development, and application of topological and geometric machine learning techniques, with a view to solving complex problems in areas ranging from 3D generative models to modelling proteins and molecules. Successful candidates will be involved in projects exploring novel ways to incorporate topological structures into deep learning pipelines, contributing to both theoretical advancements and practical applications. To this end, the project integrates state-of-the-art knowledge from different disciplines such as algebraic topology, differential geometry, machine learning, and computer vision.
What you would be doing
- Design and implement advanced machine learning pipelines leveraging topological and geometric principles on complex data structures.
- Pioneer new algorithms for topological deep learning (TDL), including cutting-edge generative models, operator networks, and equivariant architectures etc.
- Deploy TDL tools on to learn on intricate data representations such as boundary representations (BRep), molecular structures, and higher-order networks, transforming fields from CAD modelling to biomolecular science.
- Architect next-gen TDL systems to tackle challenging applications in 3D scene and CAD modelling, protein generation, and the analysis of emergent abilities in deep networks.
- Lead the development and maintenance of TopoX, our flagship TDL software package.
- Foster collaborations with industry partners to ensure our research translates into impactful, real-world applications.
- Mentor a team of researchers and engineers, ensuring the alignment of project goals and team objectives.
- Represent our lab at leading conferences and workshops, showcasing pioneering research and innovations.
What we are looking for
- You will hold a PhD in Computer Science, Mathematics, Physics or a closely related discipline, or equivalent research, industrial experience.*
- Practical experience within a research environment and publication in relevant and refereed journals / conferences
- Experience of dealing with industry partners and research collaborators
- Outstanding skills in algebraic topology and other related mathematical techniques
- Practical experience in a broad range of techniques including graph/topological neural nets, computer vision
- Knowledge of programming proficiency in frameworks such as PyTorch or TensorFlow
- Knowledge of research methods, experimentation and statistical procedures
*Candidates who have not yet been officially awarded their PhD will be appointed as Research Assistant. Salary Range £43,003 – £46,297 per annum.
What we can offer you
- The opportunity to continue your career at a world-leading institution
- Sector-leading salary and remuneration package (including 38 days off a year)
Further information
Full time, fixed term appointment for 1 year to start February-2025 (or asap thereafter).
In addition to completing the online application, candidates should attach:
- A full CV, with a list of all publications
- A 1-page research statement indicating what you see are interesting research issues relating to the above post and why your expertise is relevant.
Informal enquiries related to the position should be directed to Dr Toga Birdal: t.birdal@imperial.ac.uk.
For queries regarding the application process contact Jamie Perrins: j.perrins@imperial.ac.uk
Available documents
Please note that job descriptions are not exhaustive, and you may be asked to take on additional duties that align with the key responsibilities mentioned above.
We reserve the right to close the advert prior to the closing date stated should we receive a high volume of applications. It is therefore advisable that you submit your application as early as possible to avoid disappointment.
If you encounter any technical issues while applying online, please don’t hesitate to email us at support.jobs@imperial.ac.uk. We’re here to help.
About Imperial
Welcome to Imperial, a global top ten university where scientific imagination leads to world-changing impact.
Join us and be part of something bigger. From global health to climate change, AI to business leadership, here at Imperial we navigate some of the world’s toughest challenges. Whatever your role, your contribution will have a lasting impact.
As a member of our vibrant community of 22,000 students and 8,000 staff, you’ll collaborate with passionate minds across nine London campuses and a global network.
This is your chance to help shape the future. We hope you’ll join us at Imperial College London.
Our Culture
We work towards equality of opportunity, to eliminating discrimination, and to creating an inclusive working environment for all. We encourage applications from all backgrounds, communities and industries, and are committed to employing a team that has diverse skills, experiences and abilities. You can read more about our commitment on our webpages.
Our values are at the root of everything we do and everyone in our community is expected to demonstrate respect, collaboration, excellence, integrity, and innovation.
