Doctoral Researcher in Trustworthy Machine Learning

Aalto University; Espoo; On-site; EUR 35,000 - 41,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Occupational health benefits

Job summary

Aalto University is inviting applications for a Doctoral Researcher in Trustworthy Machine Learning at its Otaniemi campus in Espoo, Finland. The position is fully funded (2+2 model) under the supervision of Sebastian Szyller, with an expected start date of January 2027 or sooner.

You will conduct research on provenance and integrity of ML models and pipelines, focusing on verifiable, auditable ML, and collaborate with researchers across Europe and beyond.

Qualifications

• PhD student pursuing a degree in trustworthy machine learning.
• Strong programming skills in Python and PyTorch; experience with shared codebases.
• Excellent applied mathematics: probability, linear algebra, calculus.
• Strong teamwork and collaboration abilities, independent thinking.
• Interest in security/privacy aspects of ML and publication record is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Carry out state-of-the-art research in trustworthy ML.
• Prepare and publish manuscripts at leading conferences and journals.
• Present your work at academic and industry events.
• Collaborate with other researchers locally and internationally.

Skills

Python

PyTorch

Teamwork

Critical thinking

Probability theory

Matrix algebra

Calculus

Shared codebases

Education

PhD student

Job description

Aalto.fi twitter.com/aaltouniversity facebook.com/aaltouniversity instagram.com/aaltouniversity More about Aalto University:

Aalto University is a community of bold thinkers where science and art meet technology and business. We are committed to identifying and solving grand societal challenges and building an innovative future. Aalto has six schools with 14 000 students and a staff of 5000, of which more than 400 are professors. Our main campus is located in Espoo, Finland. Diversity is part of who we are, and we actively work to ensure our community’s diversity and inclusiveness. This is why we warmly encourage qualified candidates from all backgrounds to join our community. The Department of Computer Science is an internationally-oriented community and home to world-class research in modern computer science, combining research on foundations and innovative applications. With over 40 professors and more than 450 employees from 50 countries, it is the largest department at Aalto University and the leading computer science research unit in northern Europe. Computer science research at Aalto University ranks high in several international surveys (7th in Europe and 1st in the Nordics (NTU 2023); and 88th worldwide in Times Higher Education subject ranking 2025).

We are now looking for a Doctoral Researcher in Trustworthy Machine Learning

Your role and goals

Trustworthy & Adversarial Computing Lab (https://taclab.aalto.fi) led by Sebastian Szyller is looking for a doctoral researcher (PhD student) to pursue a degree in trustworthy machine learning.

As a doctoral researcher your goal is to conduct research in the fast-paced field of trustworthy machine learning. You are expected to:

• Carry out state-of-the-art research.
• Prepare and publish manuscripts at leading conferences and journals.
• Present your work at academic and industry events.
• Collaborate with other researchers (locally and internationally).

Focus

The position is focused on provenance and integrity of machine learning models and pipelines.

• Verifiable, provable and auditable machine learning (e.g. adversarial robustness, privacy, fairness).
• AI/MLBOM and related topics.
• Proof carrying in ML.

In addition to research work, the hired is expected to participate in teaching following the standard practices at the department.

Your Experience And Ambitions

The position requires excellent programming skills in Python with demonstrable familiarity with PyTorch, experience in working on shared codebases, excellent applied math skills (especially probability theory, matrix algebra, calculus). Beyond technical experience, candidates are expected to have strong teamwork and collaboration skills, as well as competency in critical and independent thinking.

You’re a good fit if:

• you have experience in machine learning and would like to explore the security/privacy angle, or
• you have a security/privacy background and would like to apply it to machine learning, or
• you have experience in explainable/interpretable/fair machine learning, and/or software supply chains.

Outstanding applicants have prior experience in trustworthy machine learning, and/or publication record in machine learning or security/privacy, software supply chains.

What We Offer

We offer a fully funded position (2 + 2 model) under the supervision of Sebastian Szyller. Trustworthy & Adversarial Computing Lab is a newly established group. The lab has an extensive network consisting of companies and academic institutions in Europe and across the world.

The expected start date is January 2027 or sooner if available.

The position belongs to the Aalto career system and the selected person will be appointed for a two-year fixed term appointment with an option for two-year renewal.

The starting salary for the position is 3168 EUR per month. In addition to the salary, the contract includes occupational health benefits, and Finland has a comprehensive social security system. The annual total workload of research and teaching staff at Aalto University is 1 612 hours. The position is located at the Aalto University Otaniemi campus.

Further information

• Professor Sebastian Szyller, e-mail [e-mail] (research related information)
• HR Advisor Susanna Holma, e-mail "[e-mail]" (recruitment process)

Want to know more about us and your future colleagues? You can watch these videos: Aalto University – Towards a better world, Aalto People, and Shaping a Sustainable Future.

And this webpage about Aalto and Finland: Why Finland? | Aalto University.

Check out our new virtual campus experience: https://virtualtour.aalto.fi/ !

About Finland

Finland is a great place for living with or without family – it is a safe, politically stable and well-organized Nordic society. Finland is consistently ranked high in quality of life and was just listed again as the happiest country in the world: World Happiness Report 2025: People are much kinder than we expect, research shows | The World Happiness Report.

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