Research Positions (m/f/d) - EU Doctoral Network SPRING (Prof'in Dr. Barbara Hammer)

Research Position – EU Doctoral Network SPRING (Bielefeld University)

Start:  | Full‑time | Salary according to Remuneration level 13 TV‑L (minimum €4,629.74) | Fixed‑term contract

SPRING is a Marie Skłodowska‑Curies (MSCA) Doctoral Network under the Horizon Europe framework. It focuses on the resilience of future large‑scale critical infrastructures that are deeply interconnected, cyber‑physical, and exposed to evolving threats such as extreme weather, cascading failures, cyber‑attacks and human error.

In this context two PhD positions will be opened at Bielefeld University addressing the challenges of AI technologies:

• DC1 – Physics‑informed adversarial robustness of network models. The role centres on investigating adversarial attacks on smart components in critical infrastructure, with a special emphasis on natural attacks, defensive strategies, and the transfer of physics‑informed machine learning into generative models that robustify data‑driven components.
• DC5 – Explaining complex drift phenomena in networked data. This role deals with identifying anomalies manifested as distributional changes, explaining and remedying them with explainable AI technologies capable of handling complex system interactions, and applying these methods to detect emerging risks caused by dissonance among network components.

Your Tasks

• Development and implementation of machine learning technologies addressing the above challenges (40 %)
• Implementation and evaluation in benchmark scenarios (e.g. water distribution, energy, transportation systems) (20 %)
• Application in cooperation with secondment partners of the DN (20 %)
• Publication of results in high‑quality venues (10 %)
• Participation in DN events such as summer schools (5 %)
• Co‑operation with international project partners (5 %)

Applicant Profile

• Relevant scientific university degree in computer science, engineering, mathematics, physics or equivalent
• Excellent programming skills, in particular Python
• Knowledge of machine learning and deep learning
• Advanced skills in mathematical modeling
• Fluent in English (spoken and written)
• Independent, conscientious and diligent working style
• Cooperative, team‑oriented approach to work
• Openness to application‑oriented questions in an industrial context

Preferred Experience and Skills

• Interest in interdisciplinary work

What We Offer

• Salary according to Remuneration level 13 TV‑L (minimum €4,629.74)
• Fixed‑term contract (3 years, see WissZeitVG)
• Full‑time
• Internal and external training opportunities
• Variety of health, consulting and prevention services
• Reconcilability of family and work
• 30 days holiday plus additional days off on 24 Dec. and 31 Dec.
• Fundamental possibility of mobile working
• Supplementary company pension
• Collegial working environment
• Open and pleasant working atmosphere
• Various offers (canteen, cafeteria, restaurants, uni‑shop, ATM, etc.)

Application Procedure

We are looking forward to receiving your application. To apply, please use our online form via the application button below.

Application deadline: 19 March 2026

Contact

Prof'in Dr. Barbara Hammer
+49 521 106‑12115

Postal Address

Universität Bielefeld
Citec – AG Maschinelles Lernen
Prof'in Dr. Barbara Hammer
Postfach 10 01 31
33501 Bielefeld

Bielefeld University is an equal‑opportunity employer and has been recognized as a family‑friendly university. Applications from women and from suitably qualified handicapped and severely handicapped persons are explicitly encouraged. On request, positions can be carried out with reduced working hours as long as this does not conflict with official needs.