Research Associate, Probabilistic Programming

Alan Turing Institute London United Kingdom Research Programmes

Company Description

Named in honour of Alan Turing, the Institute is a place for inspiring, exciting work and we need passionate, sharp, and innovative people who want to use their skills to contribute to our mission to make great leaps in data science and AI research to change the world for the better.

Please find more information about us here.

Position

In 2022, the Alan Turing Institute signalled its intention to establish a portfolio of foundational AI research, which would complement the strengths of the institute around applications of AI and AI policy. An initial portfolio of research across three pillars, foundation models, game theory, and probabilistic programming, was launched in early 2023.

We are looking for a Research Associate to support and enable the delivery of the “Programmable Inference” theme within the Probabilistic Programming Pillar. Matthew Juniper and Hong Ge (both at the University of Cambridge) will direct this theme.


ADJOINT-ACCELERATED PROGRAMMABLE INFERENCE FOR LARGE PDEs

The aim of this project is to extend Programmable Inference to large non-self-adjoint PDE problems, such as the Navier–Stokes equations.

These problems are challenging because:

  • their function evaluations are expensive,
  • they can contain many variable parameters,
  • the forward problem must be carefully formulated in order for the inverse problem to be well-posed.

We will combine Matthew Juniper’s group’s expertise in adjoint-accelerated Bayesian Inference for PDEs (https://mpj1001.user.srcf.net/MJ_biography.html) with Hong Ge and the Machine Learning group’s expertise in Programmable Inference using Turing.jl (https://mlg.eng.cam.ac.uk, https://turinglang.org). High impact examples of adjoint-accelerated Bayesian Inference applied ad hoc to practical problems are (i) assimilation of Flow-MRI data directly into CFD (https://doi.org/10.1017/jfm.2022.503) and (ii) assimilation of thermoacoustic data directly into low order models (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsv.2022.117096).


During this project, the Research Associate will interact with both groups to generalise adjoint-accelerated Bayesian Inference within the Programmable Inference framework. We will disseminate flagship applications of Probabilistic Programming for PDEs through Turing Interest Groups and Special Interest Groups of the UK Fluids Network (www.fluids.ac.uk)


ROLE PURPOSE

The research associate will be based at the University of Cambridge or the Turing Institute and will be responsible for delivering strands 1 to 3 and supporting Matthew Juniper and Hong Ge with the overall delivery of the project. In addition, as an employee of the Alan Turing Institute (ATI), the research associates will have access to the ATI offices in London, where they can interact with the wider ATI community.


Strand 1: Implementing Laplace’s method in Turing.jl

Strand 2: Extending the methodology to increasingly challenging PDE problems.

Strand 3: Disseminate software and develop flagship applications.


DUTIES AND AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY

  • Publish and disseminate high-quality research papers and publications detailing research outputs and project case-studies while working closely with other members of the project team.
  • Communicate or present research outputs to diverse stakeholders, through conferences, events, meetings, and press opportunities as appropriate.
  • Keep on top of the state of the art in the relevant literature, in particular programmable inference, Bayesian inference, adjoint methods, and uncertainty quantification.
  • Construct adjoint equations in continuous space and then discretize these problems for numerical implementation.
  • Develop Turing.jl, as described in strands 1 to 3 and update its documentation accordingly.
  • Work collaboratively with academic experts to write academic research papers.
  • Disseminate the research output to the research community, e.g., by giving talks at international conferences.
  • Present, disseminate and explain our work at internal and external events hosted by the ATI.
  • Contribute to the life of the Institute and support a diverse and inclusive community through embracing the Turing values.

Requirements

  • Research Associate level: PhD in Mathematics, Computer Science, Physics, Engineering, or a closely related discipline.
  • Research Assistant level: Near completion (thesis submitted) of a PhD or equivalent level of professional qualification in Mathematics, Computer Science, Physics, Engineering, or a closely related discipline
  • A solid background in one or more of the following: adjoint methods, Bayesian inference, uncertainty quantification, programmable inference.
  • Track record of the ability to initiate, develop and deliver high quality research aligned with the research strategy indicated by the PI and to publish in peer reviewed journals and conferences.
  • Track record of outstanding research and in delivering impact appropriate to career stage
  • Experience in publishing research papers, code libraries or technical reports and giving presentations or classes on technical subjects.
  • Ability to rapidly assimilate new computational and mathematical ideas and techniques on the job and apply them successfully.
  • Ability to collaborate successfully with colleagues in a multidisciplinary environment within the organisation/externally to share knowledge and information in order develop practice or help others learn

Please see the job description for a full breakdown of the role and person specification.

Other information

APPLICATION PROCEDURE

If you are interested in this opportunity, please click the apply button below. You will need to register on the applicant portal and complete the application form including your CV and covering letter. If you have questions about the role or would like to apply using a different format, please contact us on 020 3862 3536 or email [email protected].


If you are applying for more than one role at the Turing, please note that only one Cover Letter can be visible on your profile at one time. If you wish to apply for multiple roles and do not want to overwrite your existing Cover Letter, please apply for the role using the button below and forward your additional cover letter directly to [email protected] quoting the job title.


If you are an internal applicant and wish to apply, please send your CV and Cover Letter directly to [email protected]and your application will be considered.

CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS: Wednesday 11th September 2024 at 23:59 (London UK, GMT)


TERMS AND CONDITIONS

This full-time post is offered on a fixed term basis for 2 years and requires an immediate start. The annual salary is £44,180 - £49,966 plus excellent benefits, including flexible working and family friendly policies, https://www.turing.ac.uk/work-turing/why-work-turing/employee-benefits

Candidates who have not yet been officially awarded their PhD will be appointed as Research Assistant at a salary of £41,352 per annum.


The Alan Turing Institute is based at the British Library, in the heart of London’s Knowledge Quarter. We expect staff to come to our office at least 4 days per month. Some roles may require more days in the office; the hiring manager will be able to confirm this during the interview.


EQUALITY, DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION

The Alan Turing Institute is committed to creating an environment where diversity is valued and everyone is treated fairly. In accordance with the Equality Act, we welcome applications from anyone who meets the specific criteria of the post regardless of age, disability, ethnicity, gender reassignment, marital or civil partnership status, pregnancy and maternity, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation.

We are committed to building a diverse community and would like our leadership team to reflect this. We therefore welcome applications from the broadest spectrum of backgrounds.

We are committed to making sure our recruitment process is accessible and inclusive. This includes making reasonable adjustments for candidates who have a disability or long-term condition. Please contact us at [email protected] to find out how we can assist you.


Please note all offers of employment are subject to obtaining and retaining the right to work in the UK and satisfactory pre-employment security screening which includes a DBS Check.

Full details on the pre-employment screening process can be requested from [email protected].

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