PhD Candidate in large language models(LLMs) for data extraction and reasoning in materials science

This is NTNU NTNU is a broad-based university with a technical-scientific profile and a focus in professional education. The university is located in three cities with headquarters in Trondheim. At NTNU, 9,000 employees and 43,000 students work to create knowledge for a better world. You will find more information about working at NTNU and the application process here. Video: https://youtu.be/Xt-yHCN5QS0 About the position Are you motivated to take a step towards a doctorate and open up exciting career opportunities? As a PhD Candidate with us, you will work to achieve your doctorate, and at the same time gain valuable experience that qualifies you for a further career in higher education and research, in and outside academia. The Department of Materials Science and Engineering (IMA) at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) has a vacant position as PhD candidate in the field of machine learning for materials science. Your immediate leader will be the Head of Department. About the project Can AI interpret graphs like a human materials scientist that relates diagrams to composition temperature, pressure, synthesis, processing and uncertainty? The PhD candidate will develop and evaluate large language models (LLMs) assisted methods for extracting, organising and assessing complex scientific information related to materials. The initial application will be phase diagrams and related data for inorganic materials, particularly oxides. Existing LLMs will be adapted to process materials science data, answer complex queries related to materials science, and formulate research hypotheses that can be benchmarked through physical experiments or computational simulations. The project is funded by the Research Council of Norway and is a collaboration between NTNU and Norsk Regnesentral (The Norwegian Computing Centre). The PhD candidate will be a part of the research group FACET (Functional Materials and Materials Chemistry). The candidate will be employed and supervised by NTNU, with co-supervisors from Norsk Regnesentral, where the candidate will spend extended research stays. Duties of the position - Perform high-quality research within the scope of the project. - Complete the PhD education and training programme. - Publish results in internationally recognised journals and conferences. - Actively participate in and develop the collaboration between NTNU and Norsk Regnesentral. - Contribute to a constructive and inclusive research environment. Required selection criteria - You must have a relevant Master's degree in materials science, solid-state chemistry, condensed matter physics, or a closely related discipline. Your course of study must correspond to a five-year Norwegian course, where 120 credits have been obtained at master's level. Master students can apply, but the master's degree must be obtained and documented before starting the position. - You must have a strong academic background from your previous studies and have an average grade from your Master's degree study, or equivalent education, which is equal to B or better compared to NTNU's grading scale . If you do not have letter grades from previous studies, you must have an equally good academic foundation. If you have a weaker grade background, you may be considered if you can document that you are particularly suitable for a PhD education. - You must meet the requirements for admission to the NV faculty's Doctoral Programme . (https://www.ntnu.edu/nv/phd) - Documented experience with Python or another relevant programming language, or with computational materials science/chemistry. - Good oral and written presentation skills in English. PLEASE NOTE: For detailed information about what the application must contain, see paragraph “About the application”. The appointment is to be made in accordance with NTNUs guidelines for recruitment positions and Regulations for the degrees philosophiae doctor (ph.d.) and philosophiae doctor (ph.d.) in artistic development work at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) for general criteria for the position. Preferred selection criteria Experience or strong interest in one or more of the following areas is considered an advantage: - Machine learning, deep learning, natural language processing or data science. - Electronic structure calculations (e.g. DFT or tight-binding methods), or thermodynamic modelling (e.g. statistical mechanics, MD or CALPHAD). - Scientific data analysis. - Interdisciplinary research at the interface between physical sciences and AI. Personal characteristics We are looking for a candidate who: - Is highly motivated for research and can work independently. - Is curious and capable of learning new methods. - Work in a structured way, set goals and make plans to achieve them. - Can work as part of a team as well as independently. - Communicates clearly both orally and in writing. Emphasis will be placed on personal qualities. We offer - An exciting PhD position in an internationally oriented research environment. - Close collaboration with leading researchers at NTNU and Norsk Regnesentral. - Career guidance and follow-up during the PhD period . - Open and inclusive working environment with committed colleagues. - Working capital that can be used to implement the project. - Mentor programme as a new employee at NTNU . - Favorable terms as a member of the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund (SPK.) - Free Norwegian language training at a basic level (A2) . As a PhD Candidate at NTNU, you will have access to employee benefits . Diversity Diversity is a strength, and at NTNU we aim to be an employer that reflects the diversity in society and that makes use of the potential of the population's collective skills. Our vision is Knowledge for a better world and our values ​​are creative, critical, constructive and respectful . We believe that an organization that is equal, diver