Funded MSc and PhD Positions in Machine Learning Available jointly at
Dalhousie University (Halifax, CANADA) & Vector Institute (Toronto, CANADA)
Applications are invited for MSc and PhD positions in Machine Learning at Dalhousie University (Faculty of Computer Science), to work with Dr. Sageev Oore (Associate Professor @ Dalhousie, Faculty Affiliate @ Vector).
About the Research
We have multiple ongoing research projects. Within deep learning and machine learning, central themes that are important to us include:
Fun fact: many of the projects are interdisciplinary.
About the Research Lab
As a graduate student in this lab, you will automatically be affiliated with both Dalhousie and the Vector Institute. This includes the following benefits (among many others):
We all expect each other to contribute positively to the lab environment, collaborate with others in the lab, engage in state-of-the-art research, and publish internationally.
The lab includes undergraduate students, graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, as well as a diverse and expanding group of collaborators.
About the Research Lab Funding
Current and past funding sources for the lab include: CIFAR (Canada Institute for Advanced Research), NSERC (Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada), CIHR (Canadian Institutes of Health Research), SSHRC (Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council), MITACS, and industrial partners (e.g. NovaResp, Lucid).
While we enjoy collaboration with industry, we are committed to continuing to pursue pure, publishable research where data and algorithms can ultimately be made available to the research community. We actively engage in collaborations that enable this.
Requirements & Background
To apply for these positions, an undergraduate degree with a strong GPA is required. For example, many of the current graduate students in the lab had undergraduate GPAs of 4.0/4.3 or higher. This is not essential, but it indicates attention to detail, which is important in machine learning research. For admission to PhD, strong sample publications are usually required as well. Candidates who have excelled in a closely-related area (e.g. math), have demonstrated programming skills, and are looking to move into deep learning or machine learning are also encouraged to apply.
Given the interdisciplinary nature of many projects, we encourage applicants who---in addition to machine learning---have demonstrated experience in one (or more) of the related areas, including, but not limited to: music, speech, kinesiology, audio processing, arts.
We are especially interested in researchers who approach problem solving with creativity, initiative and commitment. Please see how to apply (below) for more details!
About the Principal Investigator
Sageev Oore is a professor at Dalhousie University, affiliate faculty member at Vector Institute, and has held positions including: Canada CIFAR AI Chair, Visiting Scientist at Google Brain (California), where he worked on the Magenta team. He has performed internationally as an award-winning musician. Sageev studied piano with teachers from Dalhousie, Juilliard, and UBC, and completed his BSc in Math at Dalhousie University, and MSc and PhD in Computer Science at U of Toronto, working with Geoff Hinton.
How to apply
If you are interested, please send the following materials to Sageev Oore at sageev@dal.ca , in an email with “Dalhousie/Vector Graduate Position Inquiry 2026” as the subject line:
Some positive and negative advice:
Negative first: How to not apply:
Positive: How to submit a strong application:
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.
We accept and review applications on an ongoing basis. Due to the volume of inquiries and limited number of positions, we regret that we are not able to reply to all emails.