PhD Research Assistant in Educational Technologies (AI-supported Text Coding) at DIPF | Leibniz Institute for Research and Information in Education

The DIPF | Leibniz Institute for Research and Information in Education in Frankfurt am Main, Germany, is offering a full-time PhD Research Assistant position in Educational Technologies, focusing on AI-supported text coding. The position is part of the DFG Collaborative Research Center 1750, specifically project Z03, which addresses educational science methodologies of participation challenged by digital technologies. The project aims to develop AI-supported methodologies for educational participation and inclusion, combining qualitative research with artificial intelligence, natural language processing (NLP), and network analysis. The research will focus on processes of recognition, inclusion, justice, and participation in educational contexts. The successful candidate will develop, train, and calibrate an AI agent for automated annotation and coding of qualitative text data, such as interviews and transcriptions. Tasks include implementing complex coding schemes in NLP pipelines, setting up annotation workflows using tools like INCEpTION or WebAnno, managing schema and guidelines, and developing AI-assisted coding functions. The role also involves evaluating labeling accuracy, analyzing trade-offs between accuracy and speed, and establishing reproducible infrastructure for data preparation, training, and experiment tracking. The candidate will be expected to complete a PhD dissertation and actively contribute to publications, workshops, and conferences. Applicants must hold a very good master's degree in computer science, data science, mathematics, or a related field, with research experience in NLP, machine learning, or text mining. Essential skills include algorithm design, NLP pipelines, semantic text analysis, sequence labeling, and experience with modern language models. Proficiency in Python, ML/NLP tools (PyTorch, Transformers, spaCy), and MLOps/experiment tracking (DVC, MLflow, Git) is required. Very good written and spoken German and English are mandatory. The position offers a salary according to EG 13 TV-H, flexible working hours, daycare facilities, and a discounted Jobticket Germany. The DIPF promotes diversity, inclusion, and work-life balance. To apply, submit your application as a single PDF with the usual documents, quoting reference IZB 5115-26-01, by 9 February 2026 to Prof. Dr. Hendrik Drachsler at [email protected]. For more information, contact [email protected].