Nabil Iqbal

The University of Amsterdam’s Amsterdam Machine Learning Lab (AMLab) is recruiting a postdoctoral researcher for a two-year project on symmetries and their breaking in deep learning , supported by a Simons Foundation grant. The project investigates how complex capabilities emerge from simple neural-network components and aims to use mathematically principled insights to design more robust, efficient, controllable, and scientifically useful machine-learning systems. Working with Associate Professor Nabil Iqbal in a new AMLab group studying neural networks from a physical point of view, the postdoctoral researcher will develop an independent research line focused on the dynamics of modern neural architectures. Possible directions include spontaneous symmetry breaking in equivariant neural networks, theoretical scaling laws in language models or geometric deep learning, generative-model dynamics using non-equilibrium and non-reciprocal thermodynamics, and new generative approaches for many-body quantum physics. These topics are indicative rather than exhaustive and can be shaped around the researcher’s interests. The role combines theoretical and experimental machine learning. The researcher will build mathematical frameworks, run computational experiments, develop new deep-learning architectures, lead and co-author publications at leading venues, represent AMLab at international meetings, and contribute to the group’s research agenda. The position also includes co-supervising PhD and MSc students and developing an individual research portfolio. AMLab conducts research in machine learning, artificial intelligence, and applications to large-scale scientific and industrial data, including deep generative models, approximate inference, probabilistic programming, and Bayesian deep learning. The researcher will be based within the University of Amsterdam’s Faculty of Science, an interdisciplinary environment spanning areas from fundamental physics and cosmology to brain science. The position offers a salaried 24-month research appointment at the University of Amsterdam.