Jamal Mohammed

Time Series Specialist | Database Systems Expert | Ph.D. Computer Science

Designing scalable ML systems for time series forecasting, anomaly detection, and predictive maintenance

About

Machine Learning Engineer with deep expertise in designing scalable ML systems, time series forecasting, and anomaly detection. Currently completing my Ph.D. in Computer Science at the University of Zurich (Magna Cum Laude, graduating August 2025), where I've specialized in applying deep learning and information-theoretic approaches to real-world challenges in predictive maintenance, process optimization, and industrial automation.

My research focuses on quantifying and pushing the theoretical limits of time series predictability, developing novel frameworks that bridge the gap between theoretical bounds and practical forecasting systems. I've deployed production-grade ML solutions that have reduced industrial downtime by 23% and improved forecasting accuracy by 15% on engineering datasets.

PhD Research Focus

My doctoral work centers on time series predictability analysis and forecasting systems, combining theoretical information theory with practical deep learning implementations. I've developed novel methods to quantify the upper bounds of what can be predicted in time series data, enabling more informed model selection and realistic performance expectations in industrial applications.

Beyond research, I bring extensive experience in database systems, having served as Teaching Assistant for Database Systems at the University of Zurich for three years. This combination of time series expertise and database systems knowledge positions me uniquely for roles in data engineering and AI engineering, where understanding both data infrastructure and advanced ML techniques is crucial.

Technical Expertise

Machine Learning & AI

  • Deep Learning: Transformers, RNNs, LSTMs
  • Time Series Forecasting
  • Anomaly Detection Systems
  • Bayesian Models & Optimization
  • Information Theory Applications

Frameworks & Tools

  • PyTorch, TensorFlow, Keras
  • Pandas, NumPy, Scikit-learn
  • Statsmodels, SciPy
  • ONNX Model Deployment
  • MLflow Experiment Tracking

Database Systems

  • Advanced SQL (Expert Level)
  • Database Design & Optimization
  • Time Series Databases
  • Query Performance Tuning
  • Data Modeling & ETL Pipelines

Programming Languages

  • Python (Expert)
  • SQL (Advanced)
  • C, MATLAB, R
  • Java (Intermediate)

Infrastructure & DevOps

  • High-Performance Computing (CUDA)
  • Multi-GPU Training & HPC Clusters
  • Docker Containerization
  • AWS Cloud Services
  • Git Version Control

Languages

  • English (Fluent)
  • Italian (Fluent)
  • German (Basic)
  • French (Basic)

PhD Research & Projects

Time Series Forecasting Platform

2024

Developed a comprehensive ML platform to quantify and benchmark the predictability limits of univariate time series data. The system implements state-of-the-art deep learning architectures including Transformers, N-BEATS, and N-HiTS, providing a rigorous framework for evaluating forecasting model performance against theoretical bounds.

The platform enables researchers and practitioners to understand what can realistically be predicted from their time series data before investing in complex model development. By establishing information-theoretic upper bounds, organizations can make informed decisions about model selection and resource allocation.

Impact: Improved forecasting accuracy on engineering datasets by 15% through optimal model selection and hyperparameter tuning guided by predictability bounds.

Multi-Horizon Forecasting System

2025

Designed and implemented an end-to-end framework for multi-step time series forecasting that combines deep learning architectures with statistical models. The system addresses the challenging problem of predicting multiple future time steps simultaneously, which is critical for applications like energy demand forecasting, inventory management, and resource planning.

The framework incorporates novel techniques for quantifying prediction uncertainty at different forecast horizons, enabling users to understand confidence levels for short-term versus long-term predictions. This multi-horizon approach provides actionable insights for decision-makers operating under different time constraints.

Impact: Demonstrated superior performance in energy demand prediction tasks, outperforming baseline methods across multiple forecast horizons (1-day to 7-day ahead predictions).

Efficient Subsequence Matching Tool

2025

Engineered high-performance algorithms for fast subsequence matching in large-scale time series data, enabling real-time pattern detection and anomaly identification in industrial systems. The tool implements optimized data structures and approximation techniques to achieve sub-linear search complexity for pattern matching queries.

This system is particularly valuable for continuous monitoring applications where identifying recurring patterns or detecting anomalies must happen in real-time. The algorithms are designed to handle high-frequency data streams common in IoT sensor networks and industrial control systems.

Impact: Enabled real-time anomaly detection for industrial monitoring systems, processing millions of data points per second with millisecond-level latency.

Predictive Maintenance for Industrial Printers

2019-2020

Collaborated with Durst Phototechnik AG to develop and deploy ML-based predictive maintenance solutions for industrial printing systems. The project involved building end-to-end data pipelines from sensor data collection to model deployment in production environments.

Developed deep learning models (LSTM-based architectures) for anomaly detection in multivariate time series sensor data streams. The system monitors multiple sensor readings simultaneously (temperature, pressure, vibration, ink flow) to detect early warning signs of equipment failure, enabling proactive maintenance scheduling.

Worked closely with domain experts and engineers to translate research prototypes into production-ready solutions, including model optimization for edge deployment and integration with existing monitoring systems.

Impact: Reduced unplanned downtime by 23% through early detection of equipment failures, resulting in significant cost savings and improved operational efficiency.

Teaching & Mentorship

Teaching Assistant, Database Systems - University of Zurich (2021-2024)

  • Led tutorials and lab sessions for 50+ students on database design, SQL optimization, and transaction management
  • Designed comprehensive assignments covering relational algebra, query optimization, and distributed databases
  • Supervised 3 M.Sc. theses on ML for sequential data analysis and optimization
  • Supervised 2 B.Sc. theses on information-theoretic approaches for forecasting and anomaly detection

Publications

J. Mohammed, M. H. Böhlen, S. Helmer
Quantifying and Estimating the Predictability Upper Bound of Univariate Numeric Time Series
Proceedings of the 30th ACM SIGKDD Conference on Knowledge Discovery and Data Mining (SIGKDD 2024)
DOI: 10.3390/e17042367
Published
J. Mohammed
Multi-Horizon Predictability Upper Bound Time Series Forecasting
Submitted to AAAI Conference on Artificial Intelligence (AAAI 2026)
Under Review
J. Mohammed, M. H. Böhlen, S. Helmer
Efficient Subsequence Matching in Time Series for Entropy Rate Estimation
IEEE Transactions on Knowledge and Data Engineering (TKDE)
In Preparation

Contact

📧
Email
mjamal@ifi.uzh.ch
📍
Location
Zurich, Switzerland

Open to Opportunities

I'm actively seeking roles in Data Engineering, AI/ML Engineering, and Applied Research where I can leverage my expertise in time series analysis, database systems, and scalable ML infrastructure. Particularly interested in positions that combine technical depth with real-world impact in domains like fintech, industrial IoT, energy systems, or healthcare.