Ph.D. Researcher (m/f/d) Knowledge Discovery: From Unstructured Data to Shared Cognitive Maps

Constructor University Bremen gGmbH; Bremen; On-site; EUR 17,000 - 20,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stipend €1,650

Research-cost allowance €100

Health-insurance subsidy €100

Mini-job allowance €550

Job summary

Constructor University invites applications for PhD student positions in Computer Science with a focus on Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning. The research aims to develop knowledge representation, adaptive reasoning, and interactive knowledge graphs with interpretable structures. Expected start date: February, 2026.

Applications reviewed on a rolling basis. Include CV, transcripts, motivation letter, and 2 letters of recommendation.

Qualifications

• Holding MSc in Computer Science, AI, ML or related discipline.
• BSc holders with outstanding performance can apply for fast-track PhD.
• Strong mathematical background with knowledge-graph / information retrieval experience.
• Hands-on experience with large language models (LLMs) and their applications.
• Track record of publications in AI/ML or related fields.
• Documented experience in practical research.
• Excellent academic English writing (papers, reports).

Job description

Constructor University (formerly Jacobs University) is a private, state-accredited, English-language university in Bremen. We offer Bachelor, Master, and PhD programs in three schools: School of Science, School of Computer Science and Engineering, and School of Business, Social and Decision Sciences. Our principles are first-class teaching and research, international diversity, and transdisciplinary cooperation. According to the 2024 Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings, Constructor University is among the top 25 percent out of more than 1900 universities worldwide and is ranked as the second most international university in the world. As an international university, we attract highly talented and open-minded students from all over the world. Currently, over 1,600 students from 110 nations live and study on our residential campus.

The research group led by Prof. Dr. Andrey Ustyuzhanin at Constructor University, in collaboration with Constructor Knowledge Labs (CKL) and Constructor Technology (industry partner), invites applications for Ph.D. student positions in the field of Computer Science, with a focus on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML).

This PhD position is part of an initiative to advance knowledge representation and adaptive reasoning systems. The research will focus on developing flexible frameworks for actionable knowledge representation that support storage, retrieval, and dynamic adaptation of information across diverse tasks.

Key objectives include:

• Transforming unstructured data into interactive knowledge graphs and personalized cognitive maps.
• Designing models that provide interpretable, persistent, and navigable structures of knowledge.
• Addressing challenges such as hierarchy, composability, and coarse-graining for robust, task-specific reasoning.
• Exploring individual and community-level knowledge modeling, including personalized domain maps, profile extraction from artifacts (e.g., papers, courses), and cross-domain abstraction.

The overarching goal is to create systems that enable transparent, adaptive, and spatially intuitive representations of knowledge, supporting both individual users and collaborative communities.

Your Profile:

• Holding recognized MSc degree (or equivalent) in Computer Science, AI, ML, or a related discipline.
• Students holding BSc degree and exhibiting outstanding performance and extraordinary potential can apply for fast-track PhD.
• Strong mathematical background supported with experience in defining and developing knowledge-graph or information retrieval systems.
• Hands-on experience with large language models (LLMs) and their applications.
• A track record of publications in AI/ML or related areas.
• Documented experience in practical research work.
• Strong skills in academic English writing (peer-reviewed papers, reports, or equivalent).

Funding & Appointment Terms

The appointment provides full financial coverage through a dedicated fellowship, comprising:

• Monthly stipend of €1,650
• Monthly research-cost allowance of €100 (Forschungskostenpauschale)
• Health-insurance subsidy of €100 per month
• Supplementary €550 mini-job allowance to support parallel part-time employment (optional)

Application Details

Expected start date: February, 2026

Application package must include:

• Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• Academic transcripts
• A detailed letter of motivation outlining research interests and career goals
• 2 recommendation letters

Applications to be reviewed on a rolling basis. Shortlisted candidates will be invited to interviews.