Post-doc position: machine learning and data visualization for automated media

    ORGANISATION/COMPANY     UCLouvain
    RESEARCH FIELD    Computer science > Other
    RESEARCHER PROFILE    Recognised Researcher (R2)
    Established Researcher (R3)
    APPLICATION DEADLINE    20/03/2022 23:00 - Europe/Brussels

    LOCATION    Belgium > Louvain-la-Neuve
    TYPE OF CONTRACT    Temporary
    JOB STATUS    Full-time
    HOURS PER WEEK    38
    OFFER STARTING DATE    01/07/2022

OFFER DESCRIPTION

The MiiL (Media Innovation and Intelligibility Lab), the ORM (Research
Observatory on Media and Journalism) and the Social Media Lab at
UCLouvain (Belgium) are looking for a post-doc researcher for a 3-year
project named ODALON, starting as soon as July 2022. The project is
dedicated to leveraging the potential of open data in the context of
local news production, with machine learning and data visualization
tools. It is funded by the Walloon Region and the Rossel Group, the
biggest media group in the french-speaking Belgian community. It is an
applied research project: the hired researcher will evenly split the
work time between UCLouvain offices and Rossel headquarters.

Strict condition required by the funding program: the candidate shall
have spent less than 12 months in Belgium over the last 36 months (on
a professional basis).

Job description

In the context of the ODALON project, the researcher will develop a
prototype for a complete workflow of semi-automated local information
production based on open data available in Belgium. The project will
focus on increasing efficiency of the "enrichment" and "deployment"
phases of a usual information production workflow based on open data,
and on integrating these phases in a unified software workflow.

    [enrichment phase] Create high-quality local information content
    by the semi-automatic detection of relevant correlations within
    large datasets

    Pattern detection on a sample of data and automated search for
    these patterns within larger amounts of data, based on machine
    learning techniques
    
    Co-construction of an expertise in data-journalism applied to open
    data, by involving both technical and journalistic profiles
    
    Assessment of the level of technical and journalistic expertise
    required at each step, as well as the potential for automation.
    
    Creation of standard information processing models (scenarios)
    based on a series of local information topics identified with
    local journalists.

    [deployment phase] Increase readership engagement and data
    intelligibility for local news production

    Semi-automated generation of data visualizations
    
    Automated recommendation of visualization (e.g., format,
    interactivity level, available settings), based on topics,
    audiences, and personal user profile.

Practically, the project will focus on open data available for the
city of Namur, renowned for its high expertise developed in open data
and the quality of their datasets.

Profile

    Professional and research background: PhD (or equivalent research
    experience) in computer science, machine learning, data analysis,
    data visualization or human-computer interaction. A recommendation
    from a previous supervisor will be an asset.
    
    Computing skills: Python and/or Javascript, or a similar
    programming language. Experience with TensorFlow is a plus.
    
    Communication skills: excellent level in French (as most datasets
    and news production will be in French). Minimum B2 level in active
    English.
    
    Ability to work both independently and in a team.

Offer

    Full-time post-doc position for 3 years.

    Remuneration based on the FNRS post-doctoral researcher scale,
    complemented by a 3k¤/year "mobility allocation".
    
    Work environment: the work will be performed both within the MiiL
    and at Rossel. The MiiL is the UCLouvain medialab: it brings
    together information and communication experts, linguists and
    computer engineers, in order to address the various challenges of
    digital technologies in the media field. It also benefits from the
    AI expertise of the TRAIL Institute. Rossel is the biggest news
    media group in French-speaking Belgium.
    
    Career perspectives in both academic and professional media fields.
    
    Work can start as soon as July 2022.

Interested ?

For more information, please contact Antonin Descampe
(antonin.descampe@uclouvain.be). Apply as soon as possible and no
later than March 20th, 2022, by sending:

    a detailed CV (with publications);
    a copy of the PhD diploma;

    a cover letter, describing, at least, your motivation and how your
    profile responds to the offer.

The candidate will have to be formally approved by the Walloon Region
(final decision made in June 2022).