PhD Position in Sustainable Generative AI for Digital Sovereignty

Develop sustainable, sovereign AI systems for European digital industries through a €8M EU Horizon project.

Best for:Best for AI/CS master’s graduates with a passion for sustainable technology, interdisciplinary research, and digital sovereignty—especially those interested in bridging AI innovation with European industrial and environmental goals.

Delft University of Technology (TU Delft) · Delft, Netherlands · R1 · First-stage researcher

More professors at Delft University of Technology (TU Delft)

Generative AI for digital sovereigntySustainable AI inference strategiesCross-sector AI adoption (automotive, healthcare)Responsible technological leadership in EuropeInterdisciplinary AI researchDigital transformation and sustainability

Deadline

Nov 1, 2026

18 days

Funding

Salaried

€3.2k–€4.1k/mo

Start date

flexible (foreseen for summer/fall 2026)

Full-time

Location

Delft

Netherlands

Overview

This PhD position at Delft University of Technology focuses on advancing generative AI to align with European digital sovereignty, sustainability, and resilience goals. Based in the Department of Engineering Systems and Services, the candidate will evaluate existing foundation models for digital industries (automotive, healthcare) and design sustainable inference strategies. The project, part of an €8M EU Horizon initiative, emphasizes interdisciplinary collaboration with industry and academic partners. Ideal for AI/CS graduates with a passion for responsible technology and cross-sector innovation, this role offers a 4-year contract with mentorship and access to cutting-edge research infrastructure. The work bridges technical AI development with broader societal and environmental objectives, aiming to democratize AI adoption for European SMEs.

PhD in AISustainable generative AIDigital sovereigntyEU Horizon projectInterdisciplinary researchCross-sector AI applicationsResponsible technologyTU Delft

What you'll do

Conduct in-depth evaluations of existing foundation models to assess their suitability for digital industries, automotive, and healthcare domains.
Design and develop sustainable inference strategies and frameworks tailored to the computing continuum.
Collaborate with experts from the f-inference consortium to refine and test design strategies and frameworks.
Work independently and contribute to multidisciplinary team environments, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration.
Engage with industry partners and academic collaborators to translate research into practical tools for SMEs.
Present research findings at conferences and publish in peer-reviewed journals to advance the field.

Requirements

Degree required: Master’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, AI, Data Science, or a related field.

Degree offered: PhD

Language: English; proficiency required for academic communication, research, and thesis writing (IELTS 6.5 or equivalent).

Instruction: English

Required skills

Strong analytical and problem-solving skills in AI/CS domains.
Proven interest and expertise in generative AI and its applications.
Ability to work independently and collaboratively in multidisciplinary teams.
Excellent command of English for academic communication and research.
Experience with interdisciplinary research, particularly in AI’s societal and technical impacts.

Nice to have

Prior experience with foundation models or AI inference optimization.Familiarity with digital sovereignty or sustainable technology frameworks.Knowledge of automotive or healthcare industry challenges.Experience with interdisciplinary collaboration in research projects.

Eligibility

Open to international applicants (no nationality restrictions mentioned).
No specific age or residency restrictions mentioned.

Funding & terms

Type

Salaried

Amount

€3.2k–€4.1k/mo

Duration

4 years (2 contracts: initial 1.5 years + 2.5 years contingent on performance)

Programme

EU Horizon €8 million initiative (f-inference consortium)

EU-FUNDEDDelft University of Technology (TU Delft) and EU Horizon programme

How to apply

Deadline: 2026-11-01

Apply via the TU Delft application portal by uploading a CV, motivation letter, official transcripts of BSc and MSc studies, and the MSc thesis. If shortlisted, two referees will be contacted for contact details. Screening begins as applications are received.

Documents required