Pro²Future – Cognitive and Sustainable Products and Production Systems of the Future – is an industry-related COMET K1 research Centre in the field of artificial intelligence (AI) and cognitive / industrial ICT, human-machine-interaction (HMI) and data-driven process optimization with a focus on cognitive and sustainable products and production systems. These are supported by the areas of Perception, Orchestration, and Analytics. Further fields of activity of the Centre cover mechatronic systems, embedded systems, pervasive computing systems, and big data analytics.
PhD Position (Doctoral Researcher) in Cognitive Products & Embedded AI (m/f/d)
Full-time (38.5 h) or part-time | Location: Graz| PhD entry after Master’s degree
To strengthen our team in the area of Cognitive Products, we are looking for a motivated person who will work on practice-oriented and industry-related research topics as part of a PhD dissertation.
Your research focus in an industrial context
In the Cognitive Products research area, you will work on the development of intelligent, adaptive products that possess cognitive capabilities. These products are able to handle structured knowledge, learn from experience, explain their behaviour, reflect on their performance and respond appropriately to unexpected situations.
This PhD position is embedded in the COEVOLVE project, which investigates how artificial intelligence can accelerate the development of automotive embedded systems. A key focus lies on optimising product development processes across the entire product lifecycle, with the aim of supporting engineers, shortening time-to-market and enabling fast, sustainable and reliable AI-driven product development. This is achieved through close collaboration with domain experts from our industry partners.
A central emphasis is placed on optimising product functions throughout the entire product lifecycle, with the goal of maximising customer satisfaction, product quality and sustainability while minimising production effort. The position involves strong integration with industry partners and experienced professionals.
The research is strongly application-oriented and includes, among other things:
- Embedded systems and sensor integration
- Data acquisition, processing and analysis
- Application of AI methods to support development processes
- Development of prototypes and demonstrators
The PhD project is conducted in close collaboration with experienced researchers, industrial partners and academic supervisors from the Technical University of Graz.
What you can expect
- A fully funded PhD position with a clear scientific objective
- Structured onboarding and intensive academic supervision
- Participation in application-oriented research projects
- Opportunities for scientific publications and conference participation
- A young, collaborative and appreciative working environment
- Flexible working hours and flat hierarchies
Your profile
- Completed Master’s degree in a technical field, such as Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Embedded Systems, Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, or a comparable discipline
- Interest in or initial experience with embedded systems (experience in the automotive domain is an advantage, but not required)
- Interest in machine learning / AI and data-driven research
- Ability to work effectively in a team and a structured approach to work
- Very good German skills and good English skills
If German is not (yet) your working language, we expect a very high level of motivation to learn German quickly and to actively use it in everyday work.
Our working environment and conditions
- Full-time or part-time employment possible (by arrangement)
- Excellent work–life balance thanks to flexible working hours and home office options
- Strong integration into the Austrian research and university landscape
- Active promotion of women in research
- Respect, diversity and equal opportunities as lived values
- Gross monthly salary: EUR 3,800 (full-time basis, pro rata for part-time)
How to apply
