PhD Student – Neurosymbolic AI for Trustworthy Systems Interdisciplinary Transformation University (IT:U) in Austria

Interdisciplinary Transformation University (IT:U), Austria’s first public interdisciplinary university dedicated to digital transformation, invites applications for two PhD positions in Neurosymbolic AI for Trustworthy Systems. The IT:U Doctoral School PhD Program COMPUTATIONAL X offers a unique opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge research at the intersection of symbolic and subsymbolic AI, focusing on reliability, transparency, and user trust in intelligent systems.

Under the mentorship of Professor Kimberly Garcia, the two PhD students will pursue independent but related research projects. One will explore integrating symbolic knowledge into learning and inference, developing frameworks for hybrid AI architectures and evaluating them in real-world settings such as industrial automation and regulation-sensitive environments. The other will focus on designing neurosymbolic AI systems that are transparent, explainable, and privacy-respecting, tackling challenges in multimodal perception, scalable reasoning, and personalization in smart environments.

The INSYT lab at IT:U offers close collaborations with leading European research labs and strong industry connections, providing access to real-world issues and test environments. The lab supports co-supervision with other IT:U founding professors and maintains an active research network with institutions in Switzerland and Italy, including the University of St. Gallen, University of Lausanne, Università della Svizzera Italiana, Empa, and University of Bologna.

PhD students will benefit from innovative working conditions in an interdisciplinary, international research environment, professional and personal development opportunities, and hands-on mentorship. The program structure includes focused group work, research lab modules, and Project Integrated Courses in the first year, followed by thesis development, interdisciplinary seminars, and project assistant work over the next three years. The program concludes with the submission and defense of the PhD thesis after four years.

Funding is provided with a gross salary in line with the FWF of EUR 2,832.10 per month (30h/week), with optional supplementary contracts for teaching or research up to 10 hours. Additional benefits include the Austrian KlimaTicket OÖ for unlimited public transport within Upper Austria and access to office kitchen supplies.

Applicants must have a master’s degree in computer science or a related field, programming proficiency, background in machine learning and symbolic AI, strong English communication skills (CEFR C1), and the ability to work independently and collaboratively. Desirable qualifications include experience with knowledge representation and reasoning, multimodal data, and interest in the societal and practical implications of AI deployment.

To apply, candidates should fill in the online application form and upload their CV, diplomas, transcripts, motivational letter (max 2 pages), and up to three contacts for recommendations. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, and early submission is encouraged. The call closes on 30 April 2026. Diversity and inclusion are strongly promoted, and all qualified applicants are welcome.

For further information, contact Bettina Mairhofer, Teamlead for Student Administration, at [email protected].