PhD Position: Sustainable Generative AI for Digital Sovereignty

Join us for this PhD project in EU Horizon €8 million initiative, to transform how generative AI is deployed across Europe for a more sustainable, sovereign and resilient future.

PhD Position: Sustainable Generative AI for Digital Sovereignty

Job description

Generative AI is widely expected to become a central element of digital transformation. Its flexibility and adaptability give businesses in many sectors an opportunity to innovate rapidly, respond to changing conditions, and lower barriers to automation. For society to benefit from these advancements, organisations need to maintain control over sensitive information and critical decision-making tools.

Reducing dependence on external providers strengthens digital autonomy, while more efficient ways of running AI help align technological progress with environmental and energy targets. By designing systems that are sustainable, sovereign, secure, and efficient at the same time, this PhD project will support Europe’s broader ambitions for responsible technological leadership.

Position Overview:

This PhD position is aimed at candidates with a Master’s degree in computer science/engineering, AI, data science, or related fields, with a strong interest in generative AI. The successful candidate will be based at the Department of Engineering Systems and Services (ESS) at Delft University of Technology under the supervision of Dr. Aaron Ding, Dr. Marcela Tuler de Oliveira, Prof. Dr. Marijn Janssen. This PhD project involves close collaboration with partners from the EU Horizon project, and candidates will have the opportunity to engage with interdisciplinary teams involved in the project.

Key Responsibilities:

• To conduct an in-depth evaluation of existing foundation models to assess their suitability in the digital industries, automotive and healthcare domains. Design sustainable inference strategies and framework towards the computing continuum.
• Collaborate with experts from the f-inference consortium to design, develop, test and refine the design strategies and framework.
• Work independently and contribute collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team environment.

Project Impact:

This project will democratise the access to advanced Generative AI technologies through practical tools that help businesses, particularly SMEs, adopt state-of-the-art AI models. The outcomes are expected to enhance competitiveness, support sustainable innovation, and contribute to a more inclusive digital transition across Europe.

Job requirements

• MSc in computer science/engineering, AI, data science, or related fields.
• Strong analytical skills
• A strong interest in interdisciplinary research, and the use of AI in inter-oranisational context
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a dynamic, multidisciplinary environment.
• Excellent command of English

TU Delft (Delft University of Technology)

At TU Delft, our people make the difference. With their knowledge and curiosity, our staff provide a high-quality education and conduct pioneering research that extends beyond the campus. You will have the opportunity to take the initiative, work with others, and grow as a professional. Working at TU Delft means join an international community of professionals and students.

Faculty Technology, Policy & Management

The Faculty of TPM provides an important contribution to solving complex technical-social issues, such as energy transition, mobility, digitalisation, water management and (cyber) security. TPM does this with its excellent education and research at the intersection of technology, society and policy. We combine insights from both engineering and social sciences as well as the humanities. TPM develops robust models and designs, is internationally oriented and has an extensive network of knowledge institutions, companies, social organisations and governments.

Conditions of employment

Doctoral candidates will be offered a 4-year period of employment in principle, but in the form of 2 employment contracts. An initial 1,5 year contract with an official go/no go progress assessment within 15 months. Followed by an additional contract for the remaining 2,5 years assuming everything goes well and performance requirements are met.

Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, increasing from €3204 - €4051 gross per month, from the first year to the fourth year based on a fulltime contract (38 hours), plus 8% holiday allowance and an end-of-year bonus of 8.3%.

• Hours per week: 36-40
• FTE: 1,0

As a PhD candidate you will be enrolled in the TU Delft Graduate School. The TU Delft Graduate School provides an inspiring research environment with an excellent team of supervisors, academic staff and a mentor. The Doctoral Education Programme is aimed at developing your transferable, discipline-related and research skills. The TU Delft offers a customisable compensation package, discounts on health insurance, and a monthly work costs contribution. Flexible work schedules can be arranged.

Will you need to relocate to the Netherlands for this job? TU Delft is committed to make your move as smooth as possible! The HR unit, Coming to Delft Service, offers information on their website to help you prepare your relocation. In addition, Coming to Delft Service organises events to help you settle in the Netherlands, and expand your (social) network in Delft. A Dual Career Programme is available, to support your accompanying partner with their job search in the Netherlands.

The start date is flexible, but foreseen for summer/fall 2026.

Doing a PhD at TU Delft requires English proficiency at a certain level to ensure that the candidate is able to communicate and interact well, participate in English-taught Doctoral Education courses, and write scientific articles and a final thesis.

As part of knowledge security, TU Delft conducts a risk assessment during the recruitment of personnel. The assessment takes place at the final stages of the selection process. When the outcome of the assessment is negative, the candidate will be informed.