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Post doctor (2 years) within data privacy and machine learning

Department of Computing Science

by

2026-08-09

  • Type of employment Temporary position
  • Extent 100%
  • Place Umeå

Umeå University is one of Sweden’s largest higher education institutions with over 41,500 students and about 4,600 employees. The University offers a diversity of high-quality education and world-leading research in several fields. Notably, the groundbreaking discovery of the CRISPR-Cas9 gene-editing tool, which was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry, was made here. At Umeå University, everything is close. Our cohesive campuses make it easy to meet, work together and exchange knowledge, which promotes a dynamic and open culture.

The ongoing societal transformation and large green investments in northern Sweden create enormous opportunities and complex challenges. For Umeå University, conducting research about – and in the middle of – a society in transition is key. We also take pride in delivering education to enable regions to expand quickly and sustainably. In fact, the future is made here.

Are you interested in learning more? Read about Umeå university as a workplace

To our institution, which conducts research at the highest international level and offers several high-quality educational programs, we are now seeking a postdoctoral researcher to work on privacy for data-driven models and high-dimensional data. The position is full-time for two years, starting on 8th January 2026, or as agreed upon.

The Department of Computing Science at UmeÃ¥ University is an international environment for research and education covering a broad spectrum of computer science. The department is internationally renowned for its excellent research and education. We are affiliated with WASP – Sweden’s largest individual research program of all time, coordinate its sister program WASP-HS, which focuses on the consequences of emerging technologies, and are a strong partner in the national strategic research programÌýeSSENCE. We value diversity and actively work to promote an inclusive work environment withÌýa high levelÌýof engagement. Read moreÌýat:ÌýDepartment of Computing ScienceÌý

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Project description and working tasks

The project will develop privacy-aware machine learning (ML) models. We are interested in data-driven models for complex data, including temporal data. We are interested in both data-driven models as well as models built from synthetic data. Within privacy, we are interested in different types of privacy measures and models (differential and integral privacy, k-anonymity), different scenarios (centralized and decentralized data; local and global privacy). For decentralized data, we consider federated learning. We are interested in privacy-preserving machine learning at a scale.

Research group

The Privacy-aware transparency decisions research group (led by Prof. Vicenç Torra) conducts research in data privacy for data to be used for machine and statistical learning. It is well known that data can be highly sensitive, and that naive anonymization is not sufficient to avoid disclosure. Models and aggregates can also lead to disclosure as they can contain traces of the data used in their computation. We want to understand the fundamental principles that permit us to build privacy-aware AI systems, and develop algorithms for this purpose. The group collaborates with several national and international research groups, edits one of the major journals on data privacy (Transactions on Data Privacy), and has active links with the private and public sectors. The group collaborates with several national and international research groups on these topics, and has active links with the private and public sectors. For more information see

The postdoctoral position is funded by WASP Wallenberg AI, Autonomous Systems and Software Program (WASP) is Sweden’s largest individual research program ever, a major national initiative for strategically motivated basic research, education and faculty recruitment. The program addresses research on artificial intelligence and autonomous systems acting in collaboration with humans, adapting to their environment through sensors, information and knowledge, and forming intelligent systems-of-systems.Ìý The vision of WASP is excellent research and competence in artificial intelligence, autonomous systems and software for the benefit of Swedish society and industry. Read more:

Qualifications

To be appointed under the agreement on fixed-term employment as a postdoctoral fellow, the candidateÌýis required toÌýhave completed a doctoral degree or a foreign degreeÌýdeemedÌýequivalent to a doctoral degree. This qualification requirement must be fulfilled no later than at the time of the appointment decision.ÌýÌý

To be appointed under the postdoctoral agreement, priorityÌýshould be given to candidates who completed theirÌýdegree,Ìýin accordance withÌýwhat is stipulated in the paragraph above, no later than three years ago. If there are special reasons, candidates who completed their doctoral degree earlier than that may also be eligible. Special reasons include absence due to illness, parental leave, appointments of trust in trade unionÌýorganisations, militaryÌýserviceÌýor similar circumstances, as well as clinical practice or other forms of appointment/assignment relevant to the subject area.Ìý

A qualified applicant is required to have a PhD degree or a foreign degree that is deemed equivalent in Computer Science, or another subject of relevance for the project.

Documented knowledge and proven research experience in the area of designing algorithms and methods for data privacy and machine learning is required. It is highly meritorious to have publications in top venues in machine learning, and security and privacy (NeurIPS, ICML, S&P, PETs, ESORICS or similar conferences).

A successful candidate is expected to have a scientific and result-oriented approach to your work.ÌýA very good command of the English language, both written and spoken, are key requirements.

Application

A full application should include:

  • Cover letter describing your research interests and why you are applying for the advertised position. Include a summary of your qualifications, research interests, motivation for applying, and briefly describe the connection between your past research and the position (max 2 pages),
  • Curriculum vitae (CV) with publication list,
  • Verified copy of doctoral degree certificate or documentation that clarifies when the degree of doctor is expected to be obtained,
  • Verified copies of other diplomas, list of completed academic courses and grades,
  • Copy of doctoral thesis and up to 5 relevant articles,
  • Other documents that the applicant wishes to claim.
  • Contact information to two persons willing to act as references.

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The application must be written in English or Swedish. The application is made through our electronic recruitment system. Documents sent electronically must be in Word or PDF format. Log in to the system and apply via the button at the end of this page. The closing date is 9 August.Ìý Further details are provided by Vicenç Torra, vtorra@cs.ͯÑÕÊÓÆµ

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Information box

Admission

8 januari 2027 eller enligt överenskommelse

Salary

Månadslön

Application deadline

2026-08-09

Registration number

AN 2026/877

Contact

Vicenc Torra

ͯÑÕÊÓÆµ wants to offer an equal environment where open dialogue between people with different backgrounds and perspectives lay the foundation for learning, creativity and development. We welcome people with different backgrounds and experiences to apply for the current employment. We kindly decline offers of recruitment and advertising help.