PhD Position (m/f/d) in “Automated Assessment of Teaching Quality” (100% TV-L E13, limited to t[...]

The Hector Research Institute of Education Sciences and Psychology at the University of Tübingen invites applications for the following position to be filled as soon as possible:

PhD Position (m/f/d) in “Automated Assessment of Teaching Quality”(100% TV-L E13, limited to three years)

We are seeking a highly motivated PhD candidate in the fields of Computer Science, Machine Learning, or related disciplines who is eager to engage in an in-depth and systematic investigation of the automated assessment of teaching quality. This position is offered in close collaboration with the Tübingen AI Center under the supervision of Prof. Dr. Matthias Bethge (https://uni-tuebingen.de/de/69975). The PhD will be pursued in the field of Computer Science.

As part of the interdisciplinary research project “Enhancing Teaching Quality with Artificial Intelligence” (ETQ-AI), we are developing AI-driven systems for the automated analysis and enhancement of teaching quality. The goal is to design innovative machine learning models that capture various aspects of teaching quality, provide adaptive, data-driven feedback to educators, and make a real-world impact on educational practice. We are seeking a computer scientist specializing in Machine Learning or Artificial Intelligence (AI) to drive software and model development within the project. The responsibilities will include:

• Development and optimization of AI models for the analysis of multimodal classroom data (e.g., audio, transcripts, video).
• Implementation and evaluation of deep learning architectures for natural language processing (NLP) and audio data processing.
• Close collaboration with educational researchers to integrate domain-specific requirements into AI systems.
• Software development and deployment of machine learning models in a production environment.
• Active contribution to an interdisciplinary research team, working in short development cycles with high practical relevance.
• Publication of scientific results and presentation at international conferences.

What we expect from you

We are looking for a highly qualified candidate with a strong technical background and a keen interest in interdisciplinary collaboration and applied AI in educational contexts. Specifically, we expect:

• An excellent academic degree (Master’s or equivalent) in Computer Science, Machine Learning, or a related discipline.
• Interest in interdisciplinary collaboration and the application of AI in educational settings.
• Strong proficiency in Python and experience with machine learning frameworks such as TensorFlow, PyTorch, or Hugging Face.
• Experience with Automatic Speech Recognition (ASR), including knowledge of speech processing and analysis using models like Whisper, wav2vec, or DeepSpeech.
• Familiarity with software development methodologies, version control systems (e.g., Git), and cloud technologies is an advantage.
• Experience in AI model development, preferably in Natural Language Processing (NLP), Large Language Models (LLMs), or multimodal data analysis.
• Proficiency in English as a working language in an international research team.
• Familiarity with data protection regulations and mobile app development is a plus.
• Ability to work independently, strong teamwork skills, and high motivation for pursuing a PhD.
• Willingness to engage in continuous learning related to the project’s requirements and technological advancements.

What we can offer you

A state-of-the-art research environment with access to high-performance computing resources.

• Collaboration with an interdisciplinary team of AI experts, educational researchers, and teachers.
• The opportunity to develop open-source software and contribute to sustainable AI solutions.
• Comprehensive supervision and extensive training opportunities in AI and Data Science.
• Flexible working models (on-site, hybrid, or partially remote options available).
• A direct, practice-oriented impact on teaching and learning processes in school settings.
• Integration into the LEAD Graduate School & Research Network.
• (A 75% TV-L E13 contract, limited to three years. According to the general pay scale of German universities, this corresponds to a monthly salary of at least EUR 3,472.31 (75% position, gross pay, before tax). After taxes as a single (i.e. not married or living with a life partner; no children), the monthly salary is at least EUR 2,2218 (net salary after taxes and health insurance payments). Your income will increase regularly if you remain employed. Information regarding cost of living in Tübingen:https://tuebingenresearchcampus.com/tuebingen/)

For further information about the position, please feel free to contact Dr. Tim Fütterer at tim.fuetterer@uni-tuebingen.de. For your information, Prof. Dr. Matthias Bethge (https://uni-tuebingen.de/de/69975) and Dr. Çağatay Yıldız are also involved in the project.

The Hector Research Institute of Education Sciences and Psychology is an intra-university research institute at the University of Tübingen that investigates individual, social, and institutional determinants of learning and educational processes. We employ a wide range of methodological approaches, from large-scale assessments and longitudinal studies to laboratory experiments and randomized field studies. Our close collaboration with schools and educational institutions enables us to provide evidence-based insights for improving the education landscape. Nationally and internationally, our research institute is one of the leading centres for empirical educational research. As an interdisciplinary team, we work in a well-equipped building located directly adjacent to Tübingen’s historic old town. More information about us and our institute can be found at www.hib.uni-tuebingen.de. For more job opportunities at the Hector Research Institute, please visit the following webpage https://uni-tuebingen.de/en/45295.

We hope to have sparked your interest and invite you to submit your complete and compelling application (including a CV and transcripts) as a single PDF document, referencing “PhD_ETQ-AI_Computer Science”, by March 31, 2025, via email to jobs@hib.uni-tuebingen.de.

Applications from equally qualified candidates with disabilities will be given preference. The University of Tübingen is committed to equal opportunities and diversity. It therefore takes individual life situations into account and asks for relevant information. The University seeks to raise the number of women in research and teaching and therefore urges qualified women to apply.

The employment will be administered through the Central Administration of the University of Tübingen.