PhD Positions in Artificial Intelligence

• Develop methods to learn concepts from unstructured data with theoretical guarantees
• Conduct machine learning research integrating causal reasoning
• Choose between two projects with autonomy, contributing to a shared framework
• Optionally perform a 6-12 month research visit at the Saarland Informatics Campus in Saarbrücken, Germany
• Invent, evaluate, and describe novel algorithms
• Present research results at international conferences, workshops, and journals
• Pursue and complete a PhD thesis within 4 years
• Assist in teaching activities and supervise bachelor or master students, You will work within the Amsterdam Machine Learning Lab (AMLab) at the Informatics Institute (IvI). AMLab conducts research in machine learning, AI, and applications to large-scale data domains, including:
• Deep generative models
• Approximate inference and probabilistic programming
• Bayesian deep learning and causal inference
• Reinforcement learning
• Graph neural networks and geometric deep learning

You will join the Causality team, supervised by prof. Sara Magliacane, with potential research collaboration at the Saarland Informatics Campus in Germany.

• MSc in Artificial Intelligence, Statistics, Computer Science, or a related field
• Strong background in machine learning and/or statistics
• Preferred prior knowledge/experience with causality, explainable AI, and/or neurosymbolic approaches, * Detailed CV (including months of education and work experience)
• Letter of motivation, including suitability for the position and preference for one of the two projects
• Writing sample in English (e.g., master thesis draft or paper)
• Complete record of Bachelor and Master courses with grades and grading explanation
• Names and email addresses of two references (letters not required at application stage)

• Temporary contract for 38 hours per week for 4 years

• Initial contract: 18 months
• Extension to full 4 years after satisfactory evaluation
• Preferred start date: October 2026

• Gross monthly salary: €3,059 - €3,881 (scale P), based on 38 hours per week, depending on experience
• Additional 8% holiday allowance and 8.3% year-end allowance
• Possible eligibility for the 30% ruling for non-Dutch applicants
• Employment under the Collective Labour Agreement of Universities of the Netherlands
• Educational plan including courses, meetings, and teaching responsibilities
• Opportunity for international research visit (Saarland Informatics Campus)

The Causality team in the AMLab group at the University of Amsterdam is looking for 2 PhD students to work on the NWO VIDI sponsored project CANES (CAusal NEuro-Symbolic approach to integrating perception and abstract reasoning) led by prof. Sara Magliacane., The University of Amsterdam (UvA) is ambitious, creative, and committed. Founded in 1632, it is the largest university in the Netherlands with: * 42,000 students * 6,000 staff * 3,000 PhD students