Publicerad: 2025-07-07
PhD student position in Neuro-symbolic AI
Looking for your next challenge? Become a part of a team that’s driving change and innovation every day.
This PhD position is part of the WASP-WISE NEST project RAM³ – a multidisciplinary research effort at the intersection of machine learning and applied mechanics. The focus of this position is on extracting information about what a neural network has learnt in a symbolic and (human) interpretable format. This will allow combinations of neural networks with physics models.
The project brings together PhD students and senior researchers from multiple disciplines to tackle challenges in sustainable aluminium through AI-driven microstructural analysis.
About us
The PhD candidate will work at the Division of Data Science and AI, in the neuro-symbolic research group. This group works with combinations of neural networks and other symbolic techniques with applications ranging from mathematics to cognitive science, and often in cross-disciplinary collaborations. In this project the PhD student will work closely with a co-supervisor at the Division of Material and Computational Mechanics.
The NEST-WISE project offers a vibrant collaborative environment and close interaction with academic and industrial partners, including Volvo Cars. As part of the WASP research school, the position also includes opportunities for advanced courses, international research visits, and networking across Sweden’s top universities.
About the research project
This PhD project is part of the interdisciplinary WASP-WISE NEST project RAM³, which aims to enable the use of recycled aluminium in high-performance applications through machine learning, computer vision, and materials science.
The focus of this position is on development of neuro-symbolic models for the effective behaviour of the complex microstructure of recycled aluminium. The candidate will investigate various methods for symbolic regression, aiming to extract symbolic information, like mathematical functions or programs from a network trained for material modelling.
The work contributes to both scientific understanding and sustainable industrial innovation.
Who we are looking for
The following requirements are mandatory:
• To qualify as a PhD student, you must have a Master's degree (masterexamen) of 120 credits or a Master’s degree (magisterexamen) of 60 credits in a relevant field*
• You will need strong written and verbal communication skills in English
• Good programming skills, preferably Python
• Knowledge of machine learning
• Willingness to work on a cross-disciplinary project.
*for students with an education earned outside of Sweden, a 4-year Bachelor’s degree is accepted.
The following experience will strengthen your application:
• Knowledge about symbolic AI
• Knowledge about neuro-symbolic methods
• Knowledge of applied mechanics
What you will do
Your main responsibility is to pursue your own doctoral studies. You are expected to:
• Develop your own scientific concepts
• Communicate the results of your research verbally and in writing, in English
• The position generally also includes teaching on Chalmers' undergraduate level or performing other duties corresponding to 20% of full-time employment
Contract terms
• The PhD positions are fully funded from start.
• The position is limited to four years, with the possibility to teach up to 20%, which extends the position to five years.
• A starting salary of 34,550 SEK per month (valid from May 25, 2025).
• Doctoral studies require physical presence throughout the entire study period. A valid residence permit must be presented by the study start date; otherwise the admission may be withdrawn.
What we offer
• As a PhD student at Chalmers, you are an employee and enjoy all employee benefits. Read more about working at Chalmers and our benefits for employees.
• A dynamic and inspiring working environment in the coastal city of Gothenburg.
• Read more about Sweden’s generous parental leave, subsidized day care, free schools, healthcare etc at Move To Gothenburg.
Chalmers is dedicated to improving gender balance and actively works with equality projects, such as the GENIE Initiative for gender equality and excellence. We celebrate diversity and consider equality and inclusion as fundamental aspects of all our activities.
If Swedish is not your native language, Chalmers offers Swedish courses to help you settle in.
Discover more
Find more general information about doctoral studies at Chalmers here.
Application procedure
For information about the application procedure please refer to the advert on Chalmers' webpage.
We welcome your application no later than August 31st, 2025.
For questions, please contact: Associate Professor Moa Johansson, moa.johansson@chalmers.se
We look forward to your application!
*** Chalmers declines to consider all offers of further announcement publishing or other types of support for the recruiting process in connection with this position. ***
Chalmers University of Technology in Gothenburg conducts research and education in technology and natural sciences at a high international level. The university has 3100 employees and 10,000 students, and offers education in engineering, science, shipping and architecture. With scientific excellence as a basis, Chalmers promotes knowledge and technical solutions for a sustainable world. Through global commitment and entrepreneurship, we foster an innovative spirit, in close collaboration with wider society.
Chalmers was founded in 1829 and has the same motto today as it did then: Avancez – forward.
This PhD position is part of the WASP-WISE NEST project RAM³ – a multidisciplinary research effort at the intersection of machine learning and applied mechanics. The focus of this position is on extracting information about what a neural network has learnt in a symbolic and (human) interpretable format. This will allow combinations of neural networks with physics models.
The project brings together PhD students and senior researchers from multiple disciplines to tackle challenges in sustainable aluminium through AI-driven microstructural analysis.
About us
The PhD candidate will work at the Division of Data Science and AI, in the neuro-symbolic research group. This group works with combinations of neural networks and other symbolic techniques with applications ranging from mathematics to cognitive science, and often in cross-disciplinary collaborations. In this project the PhD student will work closely with a co-supervisor at the Division of Material and Computational Mechanics.
The NEST-WISE project offers a vibrant collaborative environment and close interaction with academic and industrial partners, including Volvo Cars. As part of the WASP research school, the position also includes opportunities for advanced courses, international research visits, and networking across Sweden’s top universities.
About the research project
This PhD project is part of the interdisciplinary WASP-WISE NEST project RAM³, which aims to enable the use of recycled aluminium in high-performance applications through machine learning, computer vision, and materials science.
The focus of this position is on development of neuro-symbolic models for the effective behaviour of the complex microstructure of recycled aluminium. The candidate will investigate various methods for symbolic regression, aiming to extract symbolic information, like mathematical functions or programs from a network trained for material modelling.
The work contributes to both scientific understanding and sustainable industrial innovation.
Who we are looking for
The following requirements are mandatory:
• To qualify as a PhD student, you must have a Master's degree (masterexamen) of 120 credits or a Master’s degree (magisterexamen) of 60 credits in a relevant field*
• You will need strong written and verbal communication skills in English
• Good programming skills, preferably Python
• Knowledge of machine learning
• Willingness to work on a cross-disciplinary project.
*for students with an education earned outside of Sweden, a 4-year Bachelor’s degree is accepted.
The following experience will strengthen your application:
• Knowledge about symbolic AI
• Knowledge about neuro-symbolic methods
• Knowledge of applied mechanics
What you will do
Your main responsibility is to pursue your own doctoral studies. You are expected to:
• Develop your own scientific concepts
• Communicate the results of your research verbally and in writing, in English
• The position generally also includes teaching on Chalmers' undergraduate level or performing other duties corresponding to 20% of full-time employment
Contract terms
• The PhD positions are fully funded from start.
• The position is limited to four years, with the possibility to teach up to 20%, which extends the position to five years.
• A starting salary of 34,550 SEK per month (valid from May 25, 2025).
• Doctoral studies require physical presence throughout the entire study period. A valid residence permit must be presented by the study start date; otherwise the admission may be withdrawn.
What we offer
• As a PhD student at Chalmers, you are an employee and enjoy all employee benefits. Read more about working at Chalmers and our benefits for employees.
• A dynamic and inspiring working environment in the coastal city of Gothenburg.
• Read more about Sweden’s generous parental leave, subsidized day care, free schools, healthcare etc at Move To Gothenburg.
Chalmers is dedicated to improving gender balance and actively works with equality projects, such as the GENIE Initiative for gender equality and excellence. We celebrate diversity and consider equality and inclusion as fundamental aspects of all our activities.
If Swedish is not your native language, Chalmers offers Swedish courses to help you settle in.
Discover more
Find more general information about doctoral studies at Chalmers here.
Application procedure
For information about the application procedure please refer to the advert on Chalmers' webpage.
We welcome your application no later than August 31st, 2025.
For questions, please contact: Associate Professor Moa Johansson, moa.johansson@chalmers.se
We look forward to your application!
*** Chalmers declines to consider all offers of further announcement publishing or other types of support for the recruiting process in connection with this position. ***
Chalmers University of Technology in Gothenburg conducts research and education in technology and natural sciences at a high international level. The university has 3100 employees and 10,000 students, and offers education in engineering, science, shipping and architecture. With scientific excellence as a basis, Chalmers promotes knowledge and technical solutions for a sustainable world. Through global commitment and entrepreneurship, we foster an innovative spirit, in close collaboration with wider society.
Chalmers was founded in 1829 and has the same motto today as it did then: Avancez – forward.