PhD positions Data-Efficient Foundation Models Vision

2 PhD positions on Data-Efficient Foundation Models for Vision

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The Data Management and Biometrics (DMB) group at the University of Twente is seeking two PhD candidates to join the research team of Dr. Nicola Strisciuglio for the NWO-VIDI project “ReVision:
Robust and Data-Efficient Vision Foundation Models”.

About the project - Re Vision
Foundation models in computer vision currently rely on massive datasets and brute-force scaling. This leads to high data requirements, hidden biases, limited accessibility, and dependency on corporate-controlled resources. ReVision aims to develop data-efficient and reliable training strategies for vision foundation models, reducing the need for large datasets and improving robustness.

The project will explore strategies related to
1) Object-attribute compositionality to replace exhaustive data requirements with structured concept learning,
2) Bias detection and machine unlearning to identify and mitigate bias and shortcuts early in training, and
3) Perceptual and conceptual priors to design self-supervised objectives that capture continuous similarity rather than binary contrastive notions.

By embedding structure and prior knowledge into the training process, ReVision aims to break the dependency on uncontrolled large-scale datasets and enable broader, more transparent development of vision foundation models.

About the PhD positions:
We offer two fully-funded 4-years PhD positions, with specific focus on Compositional Learning (PhD position
1) and Self-supervised Learning with priors (PhD position
2). The ReVision team will share efforts on integrating machine unlearning techniques to remove biases and shortcuts during model training.

While applying, you are asked to motivate the choice of (one or both) the position(s) you are applying for.

• You have (or will shortly acquire) a master degree in the field of Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Mathematics with major in Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Computer Vision.
• Background in machine learning, particularly in computer vision, solid understanding of mathematics and excellent programming skills.
• An interest in research and developing creative solutions to advance compositional learning and data-efficiency of Foundation Models for vision.
• A creative mindset and excellent analytical and communication skills.
• A good team spirit and like to work in an interdisciplinary and internationally oriented environment.
• Proficiency in English.
• Previous experience in scientific publishing (at top venues like CVPR, ICCV, ECCV, ICLR, etc.) is appreciated.

• A full-time position for four years, with a qualifier in the first year, and the flexibility to work (partially) from home.
• Your salary and associated conditions are in accordance with the collective labour agreement for Dutch universities (CAO-NU).
• You will receive a gross monthly salary ranging from € 3.059,-(first year) to € 3.881,- (fourth year).
• There are excellent benefits including a holiday allowance of 8% of the gross annual salary, an end-of-year bonus of 8.3%, and a solid pension scheme.
• A minimum of 232 leave hours in case of full-time employment based on a formal workweek of 38 hours. A full-time employment in practice means 40 hours a week, therefore resulting in 96 extra leave hours on an annual basis.
• Free access to sports facilities on campus.
• A family-friendly institution that offers parental leave (both paid and unpaid).
• You will have a training programme as part of the Twente Graduate School where you and your supervisors will determine a plan for a suitable education and supervision, and a travel budget to attend conferences and scientific events.

Are you interested in this position? Please send your application via the 'Apply now' button below before January 7, 2026, and include:

• A Curriculum Vitae (max 2 pages A4), including, and, if applicable, a list of publications, and the contact details of two academic references.
• A cover letter (maximum 1 page A4),…