PhD Position Causal Inference & Machine Learning

PhD Position Causal Inference & Machine Learning

Challenge: Causal inference relies on strong assumptions

Change: Methods to detect and mitigate assumption violations

Impact: Trustworthy causal claims

Job description

Progress in statistics and machine learning research has led to great strides in using data to uncover relationships between aspects in the world we observe around us. Many questions of scientific, medical, and societal importance, however, are causal questions. Causal questions ask what the effects of our actions will be, rather than how things are related in a world in which we do not intervene.

Given the importance of answering such causal questions, many data-driven methods have been developed to estimate causal effects in fields such as machine learning, statistics, epidemiology, econometrics, psychometrics, and many others. However, all such methods essentially rely on causal assumptions, such as unconfoundedness and positivity. When such assumptions are violated, these methods will return incorrect answers, which leads to flawed and potentially even harmful decision-making. Currently, however, there is a lack of data-driven methods to detect these violations, leading to problems to go undetected, and ultimately, untrustworthy causal claims.

In this project, our goal is to better understand the limits of the detection of causal assumption violations, develop new detection methods, incorporate these violations into our models, and design procedures to mitigate their influence. By offering these tools to practitioners, we will contribute to a new, safer approach to addressing causal questions that leads to more trustworthy causal answers.

The project is part of the "Safe Causal Inference" consortium, a multi-disciplinary (computer science, mathematics, biostatistics, epidemiology) consortium spanning eight PhD positions to improve the trustworthiness of causal methods. Through the consortium, you will be able to collaborate with experts and peers from multiple causal inference disciplines to strengthen and inspire your work. We also have other positions available within this consortium.

We are looking for an enthusiastic and self-motivated person with a passion for research. We offer a stimulating scientific research environment and the embedding in a multi-disciplinary consortium that allows you to develop skills that go beyond discipline-specific boundaries. You will be supervised by Jesse Krijthe (computer science, TU Delft) and Jeremy Labrecque (epidemiology, Erasmus MC) and be primarily based in the Pattern Recognition and Bioinformatics group of TU Delft, which includes researchers working on the methodology of machine learning, bioinformatics, computer vision, and socially perceptive computing.

Job requirements

• A critical thinker with an open mind.
• Strong interest in understanding and developing statistical and machine learning methods.
• Master’s degree in a relevant quantitative field (such as statistics, computer science, mathematics, econometrics, epidemiology, psychometrics, physics, etc.).
• Ability to program in Python, R, Julia or a similar (scientific) programming language.
• Proficient in spoken and written English.

TU Delft (Delft University of Technology)

Delft University of Technology is built on strong foundations. As creators of the world-famous Dutch waterworks and pioneers in biotech, TU Delft is a top international university combining science, engineering and design. It delivers world class results in education, research and innovation to address challenges in the areas of energy, climate, mobility, health and digital society. For generations, our engineers have proven to be entrepreneurial problem-solvers, both in business and in a social context.

At TU Delft we embrace diversity as one of our core values and we actively engage to be a university where you feel at home and can flourish. We value different perspectives and qualities. We believe this makes our work more innovative, the TU Delft community more vibrant and the world more just. Together, we imagine, invent and create solutions using technology to have a positive impact on a global scale. That is why we invite you to apply. Your application will receive fair consideration.

Challenge. Change. Impact!

Faculty Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science

The Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science (EEMCS) brings together three scientific disciplines. Combined, they reinforce each other and are the driving force behind the technology we all use in our daily lives. Technology such as the electricity grid, which our faculty is helping to make completely sustainable and future-proof. At the same time, we are developing the chips and sensors of the future, whilst also setting the foundations for the software technologies to run on this new generation of equipment – which of course includes AI. Meanwhile we are pushing the limits of applied mathematics, for example mapping out disease processes using single cell data, and using mathematics to simulate gigantic ash plumes after a volcanic eruption. In other words: there is plenty of room at the faculty for ground-breaking research. We educate innovative engineers and have excellent labs and facilities that underline our strong international position. In total, more than 1000 employees and 4,000 students work and study in this innovative environment.

Conditions of employment

Doctoral candidates will be offered a 4-year period of employment in principle, but in the form of 2 employment contracts. An initial 1,5 year contract with an official go/no go progress assessment within 15 months. Followed by an additional contract for the remaining 2,5 years assuming everything goes well and performance requirements are met.
Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, increasing from € 2901 per month in the first year to € 3707 in the fourth year. As a PhD candidate you will be enrolled in the TU Delft Graduate School. The TU Delft Graduate School provides an inspiring research environment with an excellent team of supervisors, academic staff and a mentor. The Doctoral Education Programme is aimed at developing your transferable, discipline-related and research skills. The TU Delft offers a customisable compensation package, discounts on health insurance, and a monthly work costs contribution. Flexible work schedules can be arranged.

Will you need to relocate to the Netherlands for this job? TU Delft is committed to make your move as smooth as possible! The HR unit offers information to help you prepare your relocation. In addition, Coming to Delft Service organises events to help you settle in the Netherlands, and expand your (social) network in Delft. A Dual Career Programme is available, to support your accompanying partner with their job search in the Netherlands.

Additional information

For more information about this vacancy, please contact dr. Jesse Krijthe, assistant professor, email: j.h.krijthe@tudelft.nl.