The ELLIS Unit Jena supports the overall vision of ELLIS by performing foundational research in modern artificial intelligence by advancing both spatio-temporally inspired fundamental machine learning research and applied machine-learning for complex system (i.e. Earth and Environmental systems) understanding including the important aspect of knowledge integration.

The combination of the PIs in the unit, with strong expertise in both machine-learning, causal analysis, hybrid modeling and geo-spatio-temporal analysis including statistical inference, together with a proven collaboration among the core and associated members in publication and co-supervision activities, H2020 collaborative projects, and three ERC Grants, is a great opportunity to fundamentally advance both machine learning and geo-scientific aspects.

The unit members are committed to contribute to the ELLIS network in various ways, from reviewing and workshop convening, to public relations, outreach to industry, NGOs and policy makers at national, EU and global levels.

In addition to ELLIS Units, a European network of top researchers working at locations throughout Europe is being established, organized into ELLIS Programs. These Programs, directed by outstanding European researchers and including leading researchers as Program Fellows, focus on high-impact problem areas that have the potential to move the needle in modern AI.

The ELLIS Programs are inspired by the CIFAR Program model, and closely collaborate with the CIFAR LMB (Learning in Machines and Brains) Program. Each Program has a budget for 2-3 workshops/year to enable meetings of 10-15 Fellows plus guests for intensive scientific exchange. Workshops can be co-located with academic meetings (usually) held in Europe, or organised as stand-alone events, usually at (and with the support of) ELLIS unit sites.

The researchers of the ELLIS Unit Jena are connected to the ELLIS Network most strongly via the ELLIS program “Machine Learning for Earth and Climate Science”, the EU project ELISE and individual collaborations with fellows and scholars.

The ELLIS Unit Jena is participating in the ELLIS PhD Program and Postdoc Program.

Both programs offer outstanding young scientists from all over the world a unique entry point to cutting-edge machine learning research across Europe.

The ELLIS PhD and Postdoc Program supports excellent young researchers by connecting them to leading researchers across Europe and offering a variety of networking and training activities, including summer schools and workshops. ELLIS PhDs and postdocs conduct cutting-edge curiosity-driven research in machine learning or a related research area with the goal of publishing in top-tier conferences in the field.

PhD students and postdocs in the academic track strive for international collaboration as they partner with two European academic institutions in their research. These candidates are supervised by two advisors from different European countries: one of the advisors must be an ELLIS fellow/scholar or unit faculty; the other advisor should be an ELLIS fellow, scholar, unit faculty or member. PhDs and postdocs in the program visit the exchange institution for min. 6 months (the partitioning of this time is flexible). Normally, the exchange is partially sponsored by the exchange institution; ELLIS PhD students and postdocs are also eligible to apply for the ELISE mobility grant.

There is a yearly central call for applications in fall, which are announced on the ELLIS Society website. Admission to the program is competitive. In a typical round, less than 5% of all registered applicants, and between 5-10% of eligible applicants are accepted.