I am looking for PhD students to work on inductive logic programming (ILP). The exact topic is flexible. Options include using SAT/ASP/CP solvers to search for hypotheses, developing Bayesian methods to handle noisy data, or using neural networks to guide hypothesis search. No prior experience with ILP is necessary but you should be interested in computational logic. Application details here. If you have any questions, please email me. Also, do not use a chatbot to write your application. It is boring.
We do science, not benchmarking. Our work is driven by clear, testable hypotheses. Our ideal paper introduces an idea and theoretically characterise it. The goal of testing is to understand why an idea works or does not work, not to show that we beat someone else.
Simplicity: We strive for absolute simplicity. We write in plain English and avoid unnecessary jargon. We do not add maths to make a paper seem more complicated than it is. The best feedback we can get is that an idea is too simple, which means we explained it well.
Honesty: We aim for transparency. We do not selectively report data or hide limitations to make results look better than they are. Even though many reviewers seem to disagree, showing limitations is not a weakness and is a crucial part of research.
Deadline: We do not rush submissions. If a paper still requires major work a week before a deadline, we do not submit it. We do not submit immature work simply to get reviewer feedback.
Regular supervision: We will meet at least once a week, and more often if there is something to discuss. You will also be supported by the other members of the group, not just by me.
Flexible hours: You can work where and when you want but you should work consistently and be available during standard daytime hours to make communication with others easier, i.e. do not sleep in the day and work at night, as it harms group communication.
Communication: Getting stuck is part of research. We ask that you as ask questions often and as early as possible, rather than waste days struggling in isolation.
Intellectual openness: Intellectual critique is vital for good science. I will challenge your work and you will challenge mine. You need to be comfortable with your ideas being challenged without taking it personally. We are all expected to be wrong and make mistakes every day.
| Salary range | ~€2,700/month gross (~€2,100 net), rising to €3,600–3,800/month gross |
| Contract length | 4 years, full-time |
| Benefits | Occupational healthcare, social security, conference travel support |
| Work-life balance | Flexible working hours, remote-work option, and an institutional culture that respects family and personal time |
| Relocation | University support available for internationally recruited staff |
| Language | You do not need to speak Finnish. Almost everyone speaks English. Banks, government services, and the university all work in English. |
| Housing | Flats are high quality and well-insulated. A one-bedroom flat is about €1,000/month in the city centre and €800/month outside. Rent usually includes heating and water. |
| Transport | Public transport is cheap, clean, and runs on time. |
| Family and childcare | Finland offers excellent and heavily subsidised childcare and free public schooling. Helsinki is one of the safest and most supportive cities to raise a family. |
| Nature | The department is next to a forest and the sea is 5 minutes away by bike. You can go to the beach in summer or go skiing and ice skating in winter, all within 15 minutes of the department. |
| Weather | Winters are cold (sometimes −15°C) but the air is dry. Homes and public spaces are very warm. Days are short in winter, but snow reflects the light. Summers are long and sunny. Helsinki has more annual sunshine than London (1,802 vs 1,675 hours). |
| Healthcare | Covered by taxes and occupational healthcare from the university. |