PhD in Trustworthy and Controllable Large Language Models (1.0 FTE)
Apply nowPhD in Trustworthy and Controllable Large Language Models (1.0 FTE)
Large Language Models are rapidly becoming central tools in search, assistance, creative work, and decision-support. Yet even strong models continue to hallucinate, encode hidden biases, or behave inconsistently across tasks and languages. To build systems that are genuinely safe and reliable, we must better understand how LLMs organise information internally, when they succeed or fail, and how their behaviour can be guided.
This PhD project asks a broad but fundamental question: How can we analyse and influence the internal behaviour of LLMs to make them more truthful, safe, and robust?
PhD in Trustworthy and Controllable Large Language Models (1.0 FTE)
Apply now
What are you going to do?
The PhD will focus on one of the following directions, or ideally, on their intersection:
- Understanding internal model representations: exploring how LLMs structure knowledge, how task- or language-specific behaviour emerges, and—where relevant—what internal signals reveal about a model’s likelihood to reason correctly.
- Detecting and diagnosing failure modes: developing techniques to identify hallucinations, instability, bias, or unreliable reasoning early, before the model produces problematic outputs.
- Steering and controlling model behaviour: designing intervention methods (e.g., activation-level steering, representation editing, lightweight safety techniques) that make models more aligned and reliable while preserving their capabilities.
The aim is to produce high-impact research suitable for top-tier NLP and ML venues (e.g., ACL, EMNLP, NAACL, TACL, NeurIPS, ICML, ICLR) and to contribute fundamental insights into building safer, more trustworthy LLMs.
Employed PhD candidates are expected to spend 10% of their working hours on teaching and/or supervising candidates.
Who are you?
- A Master’s degree (completed or near completion) in Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, or another relevant field.
- A solid foundation in machine learning and interest in working with large language models.
- Strong programming skills, preferably in Python, and familiarity with modern deep learning tools.
- Good analytical and problem-solving abilities, with curiosity about topics such as reliability, safety, reasoning, or interpretability in LLMs.
- Very good written and spoken English, as required for scientific communication.
- Motivation to publish in leading NLP/ML venues (e.g., ACL, EMNLP, NAACL, TACL, NeurIPS, ICML, ICLR).
- Previous publications in top-tier NLP or ML venues are a significant advantage and will strengthen the application considerably.
- Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in an international research environment.
What can you expect from us?
- In accordance with the collective labor agreement for Dutch universities, we offer a salary of at least € 3.059 up to a maximum of € 3.881 (promovendus) gross per month for a full-time employment contract.
- 232 vacation hours per year, based on a 38-hour workweek (1.0 FTE). You can also work more or fewer hours in exchange for more or fewer free hours. For example, with a 40-hour workweek, you save 96 extra free hours, and with a 36-hour workweek, you lose 96 hours.
- End-of-year bonus of 8.3% and 8% holiday allowance.
- Extensive opportunities for personal and professional development.
- The successful candidate will first be offered a temporary position of one year with the option of renewal for another three years. Prolongation of the contract is contingent on sufficient progress in the first year to indicate that a successful completion of the PhD thesis within the next three years is to be expected. A PhD training programme is part of the agreement and the successful candidate will be enrolled in the Graduate School of Science and Engineering.
Where will you be working?
At the University of Groningen (UG), researchers from all fields of academia and technology are working on academic challenges and societal questions. Lecturers prepare their students for meaningful careers within or outside the academic world. Interdisciplinary research and teaching, sharing of knowledge, collaboration with businesses, government institutions, and societal organizations are aspects that are of the utmost importance to this European top university. The UG aims to be an open academic community with an inclusive and safe working climate that invites you to add your value.
The Faculty of Science and Engineering (FSE) provides teaching and research across a wide range of disciplines, from physics and biology to artificial intelligence, mechanical engineering, and pharmacy. In close collaboration with partners from industry, healthcare, and society, we contribute to the urgent challenges of our time, such as energy, sustainability, digitization, and medical technology. Our community is open and informal, with more than 7,000 students, 1,000 PhD students, and 1,400 staff members from all over the world. If you would like to learn more about the Faculty of Science and Engineering, visit rug.nl/fse.
Within the Faculty of Science and Engineering, a 4-year PhD position is available to start as soon as possible at the Bernoulli Institute for Mathematics, Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence with the topic of Trustworthy & Controllable Large Language Models. The successful candidate will become a member of the Machine Learning Group, Artificial Intelligence Department and will work under the supervision of Dr. Yftah Ziser.
string(27) "sollicitatieprocedure_wp_en"
array(1) {
["stappen"]=>
array(5) {
[0]=>
array(2) {
["titel"]=>
string(16) "Your application"
["uitleg"]=>
string(76) "After submitting your application, you will receive a confirmation by email."
}
[1]=>
array(2) {
["titel"]=>
string(9) "Selection"
["uitleg"]=>
string(136) "The selection committee assesses your application and you will be notified as soon as possible whether you are invited for an interview."
}
[2]=>
array(2) {
["titel"]=>
string(15) "First interview"
["uitleg"]=>
string(119) "We would like to get to know each other better in a first interview, which can take place either online or on location."
}
[3]=>
array(2) {
["titel"]=>
string(60) "Second interview and possible assessment or guest lecture "
["uitleg"]=>
string(143) "We may schedule a second interview with you. Depending on the position, this interview can be complemented with an assessment or guest lecture."
}
[4]=>
array(2) {
["titel"]=>
string(27) "Terms of employment meeting"
["uitleg"]=>
string(167) "After a positive interview, we will discuss the terms of employment together. When everything is completed, we are happy to welcome you at the University of Groningen!"
}
}
}
array(5) {
[0]=>
array(2) {
["titel"]=>
string(16) "Your application"
["uitleg"]=>
string(76) "After submitting your application, you will receive a confirmation by email."
}
[1]=>
array(2) {
["titel"]=>
string(9) "Selection"
["uitleg"]=>
string(136) "The selection committee assesses your application and you will be notified as soon as possible whether you are invited for an interview."
}
[2]=>
array(2) {
["titel"]=>
string(15) "First interview"
["uitleg"]=>
string(119) "We would like to get to know each other better in a first interview, which can take place either online or on location."
}
[3]=>
array(2) {
["titel"]=>
string(60) "Second interview and possible assessment or guest lecture "
["uitleg"]=>
string(143) "We may schedule a second interview with you. Depending on the position, this interview can be complemented with an assessment or guest lecture."
}
[4]=>
array(2) {
["titel"]=>
string(27) "Terms of employment meeting"
["uitleg"]=>
string(167) "After a positive interview, we will discuss the terms of employment together. When everything is completed, we are happy to welcome you at the University of Groningen!"
}
}
Application procedure
After submitting your application, you will receive a confirmation by email.
The selection committee assesses your application and you will be notified as soon as possible whether you are invited for an interview.
We would like to get to know each other better in a first interview, which can take place either online or on location.
We may schedule a second interview with you. Depending on the position, this interview can be complemented with an assessment or guest lecture.
After a positive interview, we will discuss the terms of employment together. When everything is completed, we are happy to welcome you at the University of Groningen!
Interested?
Does this vacancy appeal to you? If so, click on the button below and apply straightaway.
Please add the following documents to your application:
• Letter of motivation (In the motivation letter, applicants are encouraged to describe their research interests and how they align with the project).
• CV including contact information for at least two academic referees.
• Transcripts from your bachelor’s and master’s degrees.
• Other relevant documents, such as awards, publications, etc.
Do you have any questions or need more information?
-
Questions about the content of the job?
Yftah Ziser
Assistant Professor
y.ziser@rug.nl -
Questions about your application process?
Kimberley ter Voorde - Speelman
Human Resources Assistant
k.m.ter.voorde-speelman@rug.nl
Information about applying
When scheduling meetings, we will take your schedule into account as much as possible.
The University of Groningen considers social safety important. We strive to be a university where staff and students feel respected and at home, regardless of differences in background, experiences, perspectives, and identity. For more information, see also our page about our diversity policy.
Acquisition is not appreciated.
Onze selectieprocedure volgt de richtlijnen van de NVP Sollicitatiecode
Read document