PhD Candidate Bias Detection and Mitigation for Deep Learning in Vision-Based GeoAI
The University of Twente wishes to increase the number of women in the faculty to have a more balanced staff profile. During all phases of the selection process, we will therefore prioritize selecting women who fit the profile.
In an era of rapid advancements in Artificial Intelligence (AI) applied to various geo-applications, the requirement of responsible GeoAI has become more and more critical to cope with issues, such as bias, uncertainty, and lack of explainability.
This project will provide you with the opportunity to investigate functional responsibility, particularly investigating biases, e.g., imbalance in data and spurious correlations, in the processes of deep learning vision-based GeoAI applications, such as classification, semantic segmentation, and structure prediction using aerial imagery.
You will be at the forefront of exploring and developing brand-new approaches to addressing bias in deep learning-powered models and contributing to the emerging research area in Earth Observation. Your research includes, e.g., detecting representation bias in (benchmark) datasets, supervising algorithmic bias in modelling, evaluating the impact of bias on prediction results, and ultimately mitigating bias in different learning stages.
You will present (both preliminary and mature) results at appropriate meetings and conferences, publish results in scientific workshops, conference proceedings, and journals, contribute to teaching on topics related to your work, and supervise and mentor involved MSc students as needed.
We invite applications for this PhD position at the Earth Observation Science (EOS) Department at the ITC Faculty of Geo-information Science and Earth Observation. We are looking forward to a highly motivated and talented candidate to work on this PhD project at the intersection of Computer Vision and Earth Observation Science.
Information and application
For more information about the position, you can contact Dr Hao Cheng (email: h.cheng-2@utwente.nl) or Prof. George Vosselman (email: george.vosselman@utwente.nl). You are also invited to visit our [homepage] (https://www.itc.nl).
For questions about working and living in the Netherlands please consult the official website of the Netherlands Government or the website of the Expat Centre East Netherlands.
Please submit your application before 16 November 2024. Your application should include:
- A motivation letter (maximum 2 pages of A4), emphasizing your specific interest, qualifications, and motivation to apply for this position
- Curriculum Vitae with a full list of publications, and at least two references with their contact details
- An academic transcript of BSc and MSc education, including grades and a short description of your last large result (MSc thesis/final project report/EngD thesis)
1st round interviews are scheduled between 25 and 29 November 2024. A possible 2nd round interview will be scheduled when needed.
About the department
The Department of Earth Observation Science (EOS) is engaged in education, research, and capacity building on earth observation, image analysis, and geo-health. The department develops and applies methods for the extraction of large-scale geo-information from satellite, airborne, and terrestrial sensors. The expertise of the department covers spatial statistics, image analysis, machine learning, deep learning, monitoring, and data integration.
About the organisation
The Faculty of Geo-Information Science and Earth Observation (ITC) provides international postgraduate education, research and project services in the field of geo-information science and earth observation. Our mission is capacity development, where we apply, share and facilitate the effective use of geo-information and earth observation knowledge and tools for tackling global wicked problems. Our purpose is to enable our many partners around the world to track and trace the impact – and the shifting causes and frontiers – of today’s global challenges. Our vision is of a world in which researchers, educators, and students collaborate across disciplinary and geographic divides with governmental and non-governmental organisations, institutes, businesses, and local populations to surmount today’s complex global challenges and to contribute to sustainable, fair, and digital societies.
Want to know more?
