PhD Position: Sustainable Generative AI Digital Sovereignty

Delft University of Technology (TU Delft)

Organisation/Company Delft University of Technology (TU Delft) Research Field Computer science » Informatics Computer science » Programming Engineering » Computer engineering Engineering » Systems engineering Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Final date to receive applications 1 Nov 2026 - 22:59 (UTC) Country Netherlands Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Not Applicable Hours Per Week 38.0 Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?

Not funded by a EU programme Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Join us for this PhD project in EU Horizon €8 million initiative, to transform how generative AI is deployed across Europe for a more sustainable, sovereign and resilient future.

Job description Generative AI is widely expected to become a central element of digital transformation. Its flexibility and adaptability give businesses in many sectors an opportunity to innovate rapidly, respond to changing conditions, and lower barriers to automation. For society to benefit from these advancements, organisations need to maintain control over sensitive information and critical decision-making tools. Reducing dependence on external providers strengthens digital autonomy, while more efficient ways of running AI help align technological progress with environmental and energy targets.

By designing systems that are sustainable, sovereign, secure, and efficient at the same time, this PhD project will support Europe’s broader ambitions for responsible technological leadership.

Position Overview:

This PhD position is aimed at candidates with a Master’s degree in computer science/engineering, AI, data science, or related fields, with a strong interest in generative AI. The successful candidate will be based at the Department of Engineering Systems and Services (ESS) at Delft University of Technology under the supervision of Dr. Aaron Ding, Dr. Marcela Tuler de Oliveira, Prof. Dr.

Marijn Janssen. This PhD project involves close collaboration with partners from the EU Horizon project, and candidates will have the opportunity to engage with interdisciplinary teams involved in the project.

• To conduct an in-depth evaluation of existing foundation models to assess their suitability in the digital industries, automotive and healthcare domains. Design sustainable inference strategies and framework towards the computing continuum.
• Collaborate with experts from the f-inference consortium to design, develop, test and refine the design strategies and framework.
• Work independently and contribute collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team environment.

Project Impact:
This project will democratise the access to advanced Generative AI technologies through practical tools that help businesses, particularly SMEs, adopt state-of-the-art AI models. The outcomes are expected to enhance competitiveness, support sustainable innovation, and contribute to a more inclusive digital transition across Europe.

• MSc in computer science/engineering, AI, data science, or related fields.
• Strong analytical skills
• A strong interest in interdisciplinary research, and the use of AI in inter-oranisational context
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a dynamic, multidisciplinary environment.
• Excellent command of English

TU Delft (Delft University of Technology) Working at TU Delft means contributing to solutions that really make a difference. For over 180 years, we have been training engineers who make an impact worldwide in companies, government bodies, or as entrepreneurs. Our alumni turn knowledge into concrete solutions for the challenges of today and tomorrow.…