Doctoral student in models, algorithms, and optimization for machine learning

Role: Doctoral student in models, algorithms, and optimization for machine learning
Organization: KTH Royal Institute of Technology
Location: Stockholm, Sweden (with mandatory 12 months at NTU, Singapore)
Contract Type: Temporary, Full-time
Application Deadline: 25 Jun 2026 - 21:59 (UTC)

Job Overview
We invite applications from talented and highly motivated candidates to pursue a PhD in machine learning at KTH, Sweden, and NTU, Singapore. This is a fully funded, joint doctoral position that will lead to a joint PhD degree awarded by KTH and NTU. The successful candidate will be recruited and formally enrolled at KTH, and will be required to spend a minimum of 12 months at NTU in Singapore as part of the joint program.

The research project is broadly situated in the field of machine learning. Potential research topics include, but are not limited to, algorithmic knowledge discovery, graph mining and social network analysis, optimization for machine learning, representation learning, and fair, accountable, and transparent machine learning.

Supervision: Aristides Gionis (KTH), Sebastian Dalleiger (KTH), Kelly Ke Yiping (NTU) is proposed to supervise the doctoral student. Decisions are made on admission.

Responsibilities
* Independently pursue research work in machine learning.
* Collaborate with others and maintain a professional approach.
* Analyze and work with complex issues.
* Publish and present high-quality research.
* Perform certain tasks within the role, such as training and administration, to a limited extent (maximum 20% of time).

Requirements and Qualifications
* Master of Science degree in computer science, machine learning, AI, data science, or a related area (must be held or about to be received by the time of enrollment).
* Basic eligibility for postgraduate education in accordance with Swedish Higher Education Ordinance (e.g., passed a second cycle degree/master's degree, or completed course requirements of at least 240 higher education credits, of which at least 60 second-cycle higher education credits, or substantially equivalent knowledge).
* Mandatory requirement for English equivalent to English B/6.
* Solid background in algorithms design, machine learning, and optimization.
* Strong programming and implementation skills.
* Strong academic credentials, demonstrated by excellence in course work or relevant projects.
* Highly self-motivated, goal-oriented, and persevering.
* Commitment to publishing and presenting high-quality research.

What They Offer
* Fully funded joint doctoral position leading to a joint PhD degree from KTH and NTU.
* Monthly salary according to KTH’s Doctoral student salary agreement.
* Workplace with many employee benefits.
* Opportunity to grow and develop in a creative and dynamic environment at a leading international technical university.
* Good working conditions and attractive benefits.
* Employment length corresponds to full-time doctoral education in four years' time (initial contract for one year, renewable for a maximum of two years at a time).

Application Instructions
Apply for the position and admission through KTH's recruitment system. Applications must include:
* Copies of diplomas and grades from previous university studies and certificates of fulfilled language requirements (translations into English or Swedish if necessary; copies of originals must be certified).
* CV including relevant professional experience and knowledge.
* Application letter with a brief description of why you want to pursue research studies, your academic interests, and how they relate to your previous studies and future goals (Maximum 2 pages long).
* Representative publications or technical reports (for longer documents, provide a summary/abstract and a web link to the full text).

Contact
Aristides Gionis, argioni@kth.se
Anna Olanås Jansson, annaoj@kth.se