This studentship is at the forefront of research in Machine Learning, Visual Analytics and Information Visualisation.
- Qualification Type: PhD
- Hours: Full Time
- Title of project: Data Visualisation mediated through natural language interaction
- Placed On: 1st February 2022
- Closes: 15th May 2022, or until places have been filled.
Overview
Applications are invited for a PhD studentship in the Department of Computer Science. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to work on data visualisation and natural language interaction, and machine learning.
The focus of this project is to improve our ability to make sense of data by elevating Visual Analytic Systems from passive tools to proactive partners in data analyses.
The long-term vision of this project is one where such systems infer and track the intent of their users and engage with them through transparent, effortless human-computer dialogues that rely on multi-modal inputs such as manual-interactions, voice, and eye-tracking to guide, support, and accelerate data analysis.
The project proposes a first step towards this vision: to develop machine learning approaches and the annotation of underlying training data to translate natural language expressions of users’ data analytic goals, to specifications of data visualizations and analysis recommendations that can support these goals.
Multimodal data, in particular histories of manual interactions and gaze patterns, will provide additional clues about user intent and will be used to improve the translation. Methodologically, the project will rely on data-gathering through user-studies and the development of machine learning approaches, both pipeline based and end-to-end approaches.
The PhD topic is at the forefront of research in Machine Learning, Visual Analytics and Information Visualisation will benefit from supervision that blends internationally recognized expertise in these areas.
Eligibility and requirements
The candidate should have an upper second class honours BSc (or equivalent, or higher) degree in Computer Science or related discipline together with relevant experience.
The candidate should have knowledge and skills in machine learning and/or natural language processing (ideally dialog systems) and preferably some knowledge in data visualisation and user-centred design.
Evidence of project work, conference presentations or journal articles will help the candidate’s application. The candidate should good programming skills (e.g. Python) and familiarity with the state-of-the-art machine learning toolkits.
A doctoral candidate is expected to meet the following pre-requisites for their PhD:
- Demonstrate a sound knowledge of their research area
- Achieve and demonstrate significant depth in at least a few chosen sub-areas relevant to their primary research area
- Demonstrate the ability to conduct independent research, including a critical assessment of their own and others’ research
Previous experiences in data visualisation, natural language processing, and machine learning are desirable, as are previous publications in high-quality papers in reputable peer-reviewed conferences and journals.
Funding
The studentship is for 3 years and will provide full coverage of tuition fees (Home and Overseas) and an annual tax-free stipend of £12,000.
Each student would also have the opportunity to earn around £2.2K pa on an average (max. is around £4.3K pa) through a teaching assistantship. We shall prioritise these scholarship holders while allocating the teaching assistantships.
How to apply
Initial informal enquiries should be addressed to Pranava Madhyastha or Radu Jianu.
Visit our Computer science research degrees web page for further information on making a formal application.
When submitting your application, enter the title “Data Visualisation mediated through natural language interaction” and you will automatically be considered for this studentship.
You do not need to submit a proposal as part of your application as the project has already been outlined.
The online application can be found in the ‘How to apply section’ in the web link above and should include the following supporting documents:
- Copies of Degree Certificates and Transcripts in official English translation - original will be requested before an offer is made.
- Official work e-mail addresses (not private ones) for two referees (one of which must be an academic).
- Proof of English Language proficiency (minimum average score of 6.5 IELTS, with a minimum of 6.0 in each of the four components) if English is not your first language.
- Passport.
The outcome of the selection process should be announced by the end of June. The successful candidate will formally start their doctorate either in July or in October 2022.
For queries regarding the application process, please email the School.
Equality, diversity and inclusion
City, University of London is committed to promoting equality, diversity and inclusion in all its activities, processes, and culture, for our whole community, including staff, students and visitors.
We welcome applications regardless of gender, sexual orientation, disability, marital status, race, nationality, ethnic origin, religion or social class. For more information on our approaches to encouraging an inclusive environment, please see our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion pages.