PhD student in Machine Learning

Are you passionate about fairness in AI, and eager to advance machine learning techniques that ensure equitable outcomes? Join our interdisciplinary project on stress detection and resilience at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam!

Jouw functie

We are looking for a highly motivated PhD candidate who will do research in the area of machine learning (ML) and in fairness applications. The candidate will join the interdisciplinary research project DESTRESS (Detecting Signals of Stress for Resilient Societies), which brings together academic, clinical, and applied partners to develop tools for early stress detection and the promotion of resilience. The project addresses the growing societal challenge of work-related stress and mental health, with a strong emphasis on ethical technological development.

As part of the Quantitative Data Analytics (QDA) group in the Department of Computer Science, your research will focus on developing machine learning models for stress detection that are robust, reliable, and applicable across diverse populations and real-world contexts. You will address challenges such as limited and noisy data, while ensuring that key aspects like fairness and transparency are also incorporated. Your work will contribute to the design, validation, and evaluation of models that are both scientifically sound and socially responsible, supporting the broader goal of creating impactful, trustworthy AI systems.

Fairness in AI is a key concern in health-related technologies, especially when models are deployed in real-world settings involving diverse users and sensitive outcomes. You will work across disciplinary boundaries, collaborating with experts in behavioral science and healthcare, and help ensure that fairness considerations are integrated throughout the model development lifecycle. The project offers a unique opportunity to conduct theoretically grounded, application-oriented research with real societal impact, and to help shape how fairness is conceptualized and implemented in the domain of mental health and well-being.

Your duties

• The PhD position is focused on performing research towards obtaining a PhD degree and contains the following duties:
• Conduct research on fairness and ethical AI in the context of stress detection and behavioral data, and publish in top fair/ML and top ML conferences
• Participating in the QDA group
• Contributing to the DESTRESS project and interacting with the different partners and stakeholders in the project
• Contribute to publications and presentations at international conferences
• Contributing to some teaching activities and possibly supervising Bachelor and Master students (20% of the time)

Jouw profiel

• A Master’s degree in artificial intelligence or in an area relevant to machine learning
• A strong record of computer programming, with experience in pytorch and/or tensorflow
• A strong interest or relevant experience in fairness, ethics, and socially responsible AI. Having publications in the area is highly valued as well
• Prior experience in machine learning and ideally also on applications in the health domain and/or for time-series/wearables data, demonstrated by relevant courses and master thesis. Having publications in the area is highly valued as well
• Experience with human-related or behavioral data is a plus
• Demonstrated ability to work both independently and as a team member
• Excellent command of English (spoken and written)

As a university, we strive for equal opportunities for all, recognising that diversity takes many forms. We believe that diversity in all its complexity is invaluable for the quality of our teaching, research and service. We are always looking for talent with diverse backgrounds and experiences. This also means that we are committed to creating an inclusive community so that we can use diversity as an asset.

We realise that each individual brings a unique set of skills, expertise and mindset. Therefore we are happy to invite anyone who recognises themselves in the profile to apply, even if you do not meet all the requirements.

Wat bieden wij

A challenging position in a socially engaged organisation. At VU Amsterdam, you contribute to education, research and service for a better world. And that is valuable. So in return for your efforts, we offer you:

• a salary of € 2.901,00 (PhD) and maximum € 3.707,00 (PhD) gross per month in the fourth year, for a full-time employment. The job profile: (promovendus) is based on the university job ranking system and is vacant for 1 FTE.
• an employment contract of initially 18 months, including a 2 months probation. If there is sufficient perspective, this will be extended to a total of 4 years. Your dissertation at the end of the fourth year forms the end of your employment contract.

We also offer you attractive fringe benefits and arrangements. Some examples:

• A full-time 38-hour working week comes with a holiday leave entitlement of 232 hours per year. If you choose to work 40 hours, you have 96 extra holiday leave hours on an annual basis. For part-timers, this is calculated pro rata.
• 8% holiday allowance and 8.3% end-of-year bonus
• Discount on (and occasionally exclusive access to) theater performances and courses at the Griffioen Cultural Center
• Optional model for designing a personalized benefits package
• Contribution to commuting expenses

Over ons

Faculty of Science

Researchers and students at VU Amsterdam’s Faculty of Science tackle fundamental and complex scientific problems to help pave the way for a sustainable and healthy future. From forest fires to big data, from obesity to malnutrition, and from molecules to the moon: we cover the full spectrum of the natural sciences. Our teaching and research have a strong experimentally technical, computational and interdisciplinary nature.

We work on new solutions guided by value-driven, interdisciplinary methodologies. We are committed to research, valorisation and training socially engaged citizens of the world who will make valuable contributions to a sustainable, healthy future.

Are you interested in joining the Faculty of Science? You will join undergraduate students, PhD candidates and researchers at the biggest sciences faculty in the Netherlands. You will combine a professional focus with a broad view of the world. We are proud of our collegial working climate, characterised by committed staff, a pragmatic attitude and engagement in the larger whole. The faculty is home to over 11,000 students enrolled in 40 study programmes. It employs over 1,600 professionals spread across 10 academic departments.

Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam

Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam stands for values-driven education and research. We are open-minded experts with the ability to think freely - a broader mind. Maintaining an entrepreneurial perspective and concentrating on diversity, significance and humanity, we work on sustainable solutions with social impact. By joining forces, across the boundaries of disciplines, we work towards a better world for people and planet. Together we create a safe and respectful working and study climate, and an inspiring environment for education and research.

We are located on one physical campus, in the heart of Amsterdam's Zuidas business district, with excellent location and accessibility. Over 6,150 staff work at the VU and over 31,000 students attend academic education.

Diversity

Diversity is the driving force of VU Amsterdam. VU wants to be accessible and receptive to diversity in disciplines, cultures, ideas, nationalities, beliefs, preferences and worldviews. We believe that trust, respect, interest and differences lead to new insights and innovation, to sharpness and clarity, to excellence and a broader understanding.

We stand for an inclusive community and believe that diversity and internationalisation contribute to the quality of education, research and our services.

Therefore, we are always searching for people whose backgrounds and experience contribute to the diversity of the VU community.