Funded Ph.D. Positions at the Max Planck ETH Center for Learning Systems (CLS)
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Funded Ph.D. Positions at the Max Planck ETH Center for Learning Systems (CLS)
100%, Zurich, fixed-term
Apply to do your Ph.D. at the Max Planck ETH Center for Learning Systems (CLS). We are currently accepting applications to join our program in 2026.
Project background
The Max Planck ETH Center for Learning Systems (CLS) is a joint academic program between ETH Zurich, Switzerland and the Max Planck Society, Germany. CLS addresses cross disciplinary research questions in the design and analysis of natural and man made learning systems. In our highly competitive CLS doctoral training program, funded, co-advided Ph.D. positions on topics around machine learning, computer vision and robotics are offered.
Job description
CLS doctoral fellows are co-supervised by one advisor from ETH Zurich and one from the Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems in Stuttgart / Tübingen, the Max Planck Institute for Informatics in Saarbrücken or the ELLIS Institute Tübingen. Each CLS fellow has a primary location (chosen based on interests and match) and conducts a mandatory 12-month exchange at the other location. Upon successful completion, the doctoral degree is awarded by ETH Zurich.
Profile
Applicants should have a strong interest in doing basic research in areas such as:
Bio-inspired /Bio-hybrid Robotics, Biomechanics, Causal Inference, Computational Biology, Computer Graphics, Computer Vision, Control Systems, Deep Learning, Digital Humans, Earth Observation, Educational Technology, Efficient AI, Explainable AI, Graph Representation Learning, Haptics, Human-Computer Interaction, Human-Robot Interaction, Imaging Technology, Machine Learning, Medical Informatics, Medical Robotics, Natural Language Processing, Neuroinformatics, Optimization, Perceptual Inference, Probabilistic Models, Reinforcement Learning, Robotics, Safety, Security and Privacy, Scientific Machine Learning, Smart Materials, Social Questions, Soft Robotics, Statistical Learning Theory, Visual Analytics.
Applicants must further hold or expect to hold an excellent degree at Masters level in a relevant subject. Good written and spoken English is essential. We value diversity at our institutions. If you feel that you meet our requirements, we encourage you to apply.
Workplace
Workplace
We offer
CLS doctoral fellows profit from joint supervision by Professors from ETH and Directors and Group Leaders from the Max Planck Society, ultimately obtaining their doctoral degree from ETH Zurich. With these unique opportunities, CLS offers young academics in the field of learning systems the chance of outstanding collaborations and exchange early in in their careers. Researchers also benefit from summer schools, workshops, and internships. Positions are fully funded.
Curious? So are we.
For further information about our selection process and to apply online, visit:
The application deadline is midnight (23:59 CET) on November 05, 2025.
In case of questions, please see our FAQs or contact cls@is.mpg.de.