PhD in Trustworthy Machine Learning

Aalto University; Espoo; On-site; EUR 32,000 - 39,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Fully funded position

Job summary

Aalto University in Espoo, Finland, invites applications for a Doctoral Researcher position in Trustworthy Machine Learning. The role focuses on verifiable, auditable ML and collaboration with a diverse international team.

The appointment is fully funded (2+2 model) with a starting salary of 3168 EUR per month, including health benefits. The start date is January 2027 or sooner. Otaniemi campus location.

Qualifications

• Excellent programming in Python with PyTorch experience.
• Strong applied math skills (probability, matrix algebra, calculus).
• Strong teamwork and collaboration skills.
• Experience in ML and security/privacy or explainable/interpretable ML.
• Publications in ML or security/privacy are a plus.

Responsibilities

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

Skills

Python

PyTorch

Probability

Matrix algebra

Calculus

Teamwork

Education

Master's degree

Tools

Git

Job description

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 5,000, 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 the Times Higher Education subject ranking 2025).

We are now looking for a Doctoral Researcher in Trustworthy Machine Learning in the Trustworthy & Adversarial Computing Lab (https://taclab.aalto.fi) led by Sebastian Szyller. The doctoral researcher will pursue a degree in trustworthy machine learning and conduct research in the fast-paced field of trustworthy machine learning.

Responsibilities

• 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).

Research Focus

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

Qualifications

• 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.
• Experience in machine learning and interest in the security/privacy angle, or a background in security/privacy to apply to machine learning, or experience in explainable/interpretable/fair machine learning and/or software supply chains.

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

Funding and Salary

We offer a fully funded position (2 + 2 model) under the supervision of Sebastian Szyller. 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.

Employment Terms

The position will be filled as soon as suitable candidate has been identified. 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 expected start date is January 2027 or sooner if available. The annual total workload of research and teaching staff at Aalto University is 1,612 hours. The candidates must have completed their Master’s degree before the start of the contract period.

Location

The position is located at the Aalto University Otaniemi campus.

Contact

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

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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/ ! 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.