Post-doctoral fellow in information theory -CDD 12 months

Who we are ?

Télécom Paris, part of the IMT (Institut Mines-Télécom) and a founding member of the Institut Polytechnique de Paris, is one of France's top 5 general engineering schools.

The mainspring of Télécom Paris is to train, imagine and undertake to design digital models, technologies and solutions for a society and economy that respect people and their environment.

We are looking for a Post-doctoral Fellow in Information Theory to join our COMELEC (Communication and Electronics) department at Télécom Paris. This position offers a unique opportunity to work on an exciting scientific project focusing on information theory and understanding the theoretical foundations of federated learning algorithms. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to integrate into a dynamic research environment, collaborating with internationally renowned experts as part of an interdisciplinary team of post-docs, PhD students and researchers.

SCIENTIFIC CONTEXT

The COMELEC department situates its action within the framework of the knowledge triangle which links education, innovation and research. As such, its members work in the field of engineering training, continuing education and doctoral training; they also conduct academic research in the field of information technology. Finally, the department places its application studies and innovative developments in a cooperative approach with industry and emerging companies.

The present position, more specifically, lies in the field of information theory, so in applied mathematics and probability, and deals with understanding the theoretical foundations of federated learning algorithms.

Understanding the theoretical foundations of federated learning is crucial as it provides a framework for comprehending how decentralized data training can be effectively implemented while preserving privacy and security. Federated learning allows multiple devices or institutions to collaboratively learn a shared model while keeping their data localized, thus addressing concerns related to data ownership and compliance with regulations like GDPR. By grasping the underlying principles, such as optimization algorithms, communication efficiency, and model aggregation techniques, researchers and practitioners can enhance the robustness and scalability of federated learning systems. Furthermore, a solid theoretical background enables the identification of potential challenges, such as data heterogeneity and system reliability, paving the way for innovative solutions that can advance the field and broaden its applications across various domains.

In this project we take an information and coding-theoretic approach to unveil new fundamental properties and limitations of theoretical and practical federated learning architectures.

Your main tasks will be to :

• To carry out research missions in the field of information theory
• To ensure supervision and tutoring missions
• To contribute to the reputation of the School, the Institut Mines-Télécom and the Institut Polytechnique de Paris

The ideal candidate will have a PhD in applied mathematics, information theory or probability. A thorough knowledge of information theory and probability is essential, as is fluency in written and spoken English. Autonomy and the ability to work as part of a team are essential qualities for this position. The ability to communicate effectively and participate actively in the scientific and academic life of the department is essential for success in this role.

If you are passionate about information theory, have a dynamic research mind and want to contribute to innovative projects in a stimulating environment, then join us!

Why join us?
You'll be working in a fast-growing, pleasant, green and accessible environment (especially for people with disabilities) just 20 km from Paris (RER B and C suburban train lines, close to major roads, shared shuttle departing from Porte d'Orléans). You will benefit from :

• 49 days annual leave (CA + RTT)
  
• flexible working hours (depending on department activity)
  
• telecommuting 1 to 3 days/week possible
  
• 75% public transport pass reimbursement
  
• Proximity to numerous sports facilities, concierge service, underground parking, in-house catering, etc.
  
• Staff association at school and ministry level
  
• Good to know: our social security contributions are lower than in the private sector

Other information :
Application deadline: january 20, 2025
Job type : 12 months fixed-term contract
Job description here

Scientific contact person: Michèle Wigger (michele.wigger@telecom-paris.fr)

Administrative contact person: Hamidou Yaya Koné (hamidou.kone@telecom-paris.fr)

We recruit on the basis of skills, regardless of origin, age or gender, 

and all our positions are open to people with disabilities.