Full-time PhD Researcher in Artificial Intelligence and Formal Methods | Full-time PhD researcher (m,f,x) on Artificial Intelligence and Formal Methods, for three years

Ruhr-Universität Bochum

Bochum, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Deutschland
Published Dec 17, 2025
Full-time
Fixed-term

Job Summary

This full-time, fixed-term PhD researcher position at Ruhr-University Bochum focuses on increasing the trustworthiness and dependability of Artificial Intelligence (AI) through the intersection of formal verification and machine learning. The core mission involves conducting foundational and application-driven research on neurosymbolic AI, specifically addressing challenges in ensuring the safety of reinforcement learning methods in complex, real-world environments with inherent uncertainty. Day-to-day tasks include conducting high-level research, shaping the chair's research direction in collaboration with international partners (such as Oxford and UT Austin), and supporting the teaching program by conducting exercises and organizing seminars in AI, formal verification, and programming languages. The ideal candidate holds a Master’s degree in Computer Science or a related field, possesses excellent communication skills in English, and ideally has a background in Formal Methods, Machine Learning, or Control Theory. This role offers an excellent research environment with significant academic freedom and international collaboration opportunities.

Required Skills

Education

Master’s degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or related fields

Experience

  • Professional experience in research in Artificial Intelligence and Formal Methods
  • Experience in software development (beneficial)
  • Experience with programming languages such as Python, Java, or C/C++ (beneficial)
  • Background in Formal Methods, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Control Theory, and/or Robotics (beneficial)

Languages

English (Fluent)

Additional

  • Fixed-term contract duration of 3 years