Applications are invited for a PhD fellowship/scholarship at Graduate School of Natural Sciences, Aarhus University, Denmark, within the Computer Science programme. The position is available from November 2025 or later.

Title:
Reliable Conversational AI

Research area and project description:
We are looking for one highly motivated PhD student to conduct research on reliability in conversational AI, with a particular focus on verifying the answers produced by AI systems through graph-based methods. This project is part of ARMADA, a Marie Skłodowska-Curie Doctoral Network funded by the Horizon Europe framework.

The research refers to the task T5.3 Online Algorithms for question refinement in the general ARMADA call and will cover a range of exciting topics, including:

• Graph mining and management
• Online learning and user-in-the-loop interaction models
• Efficiency and scalability in AI systems
• Uncertainty quantification
• Query reformulation

The ARMADA network includes 15 PhD positions across 8 countries, offering collaboration with a diverse team of excellent supervisors and researchers. To better understand the project’s vision, we invite you to read this article: https://openproceedings.org/2025/conf/edbt/paper-160.pdf

Who should apply?

We welcome applicants who are curious, creative, and eager to tackle complex problems at the intersection of AI and data management. You may be a good fit if you have:

• A strong background in at least one area: databases, machine learning, natural language processing, data mining, or a related field
• Some experience working with graphs, such as graph machine learning, graph mining, or graph algorithms.
• Demonstrated experience tackling research or technical challenges
• Practical or applied experience (not required, but appreciated)
• Solid programming skills in at least one language (e.g., Python, C++)
• Excellent academic performance in relevant subjects such as data analysis, machine learning, natural language processing, graph analysis, artificial intelligence, or similar
• Strong written and verbal communication skills in English

We especially encourage women and candidates from underrepresented groups to apply. Aarhus University is committed to building a diverse, inclusive research community.

This is a unique chance to contribute to high-impact research at the crossroads of Machine Learning, AI, Databases, and Data Mining, shaping the future of trustworthy AI systems.

As part of your application, please upload a project description (½ to 4 pages) outlining your research interests and ideas relevant to this project. You may also include a link to supplementary materials if you wish.

Reach out to Davide ahead prior to the submission of application to understand whether you might be a fit for the project.

Salary, holiday payment, pension contributions and the like include all employer and employee's taxes and contributions. Thus, figures are before taxes are paid, and taxes may differ depending on individual circumstances. Salary and terms of employment are in accordance with applicable collective agreement, and salary is depending on seniority. Salary includes a non-pensionable PhD supplement. The allowances mentioned in the EU work programme (living allowance, mobility allowance and, if applicable, family allowance) will be part of the salary. Allowance rates can be found in the relevant EU Work Programme (under MSCA doctoral network - Applicable unit contributions), and country correction coefficient can be found in the same document.

Please upload a project description (½-4 pages). This document should describe your ideas and research plans for this specific project. If you wish to, you can indicate an URL where further information can be found.

Qualifications and specific competences:
Candidates with a sparkling interest in data mining, data management, or machine learning holding a Master’s degree (120 ECTS) in Computer Science, Statistics, Math, or related fields. Experience with graphs and networks is a plus.

EU eligibility requirements in Marie Curie Doctoral Networks:

• Supported researchers must be doctoral candidates, i.e. not already in possession of a doctoral degree at the date of the recruitment. Researchers who have successfully defended their doctoral thesis but who have not yet formally been awarded the doctoral degree will not be considered eligible.
• Researchers supported must be enrolled in a doctoral programme leading to the award of a doctoral degree in at least one EU Member State or Horizon Europe Associated Country, and for Joint Doctorates in at least two.
• Recruited researchers can be of any nationality and must comply with the following mobility rule: they must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the country of the recruiting beneficiary for more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately before their recruitment date.
• Compulsory national service, short stays such as holidays and time spent by the researcher as part of a procedure for obtaining refugee status under the Geneva Convention75 are not taken into account.
• Secondments are eligible for up to one third of the actual months spent implementing the research training activities under the action.
• In case of industrial doctorates, doctoral candidates must spend at least 50% of their fellowship duration in the non-academic sector.

Place of employment and place of work:
The place of employment is Aarhus University, and the place of work is Department of Computer Science, Aabogade 34, 8200 Aarhus, Denmark. 

Contacts:
Applicants seeking further information for this project are invited to contact: Associate Professor, Davide Mottin, davide@cs.au.dk or Assistant Professor, Akhil Arora, akhil.arora@cs.au.dk

How to apply:

For information about application requirements and mandatory attachments, please see the Application guide. Please read the Application guide thoroughly before applying.

When ready to apply, go to https://phd.nat.au.dk/for-applicants/apply-here/ (Note, the online application system opens 1 June 2025)

1. Choose August 2025 Call with deadline 1 August 2025 at 23:59 CEST.
2. You will be directed to the call and must choose the programme “Computer Science”.
3. In the boxed named “Study”: In the dropdown menu, please choose: “Reliable Conversational AI (ReCoAI)”

Please note:

• The programme committee may request further information or invite the applicant to attend an interview.

At the Faculty of Natural Science at Aarhus University, we strive to support our scientific staff in their career development. We focus on competency development and career clarification and want to make your opportunities transparent. On our website, you can find information on all types of scientific positions, as well as the entry criteria we use when assessing candidates. You can also read more about how we can assist you in your career planning and development.

Aarhus University’s ambition is to be an attractive and inspiring workplace for all and to foster a culture in which each individual has opportunities to thrive, achieve and develop. We view equality and diversity as assets, and we welcome all applicants. All interested candidates are encouraged to apply, regardless of their personal background.