Generative information retrieval (GenIR) is an emerging retrieval paradigm where generative models directly produce document identifiers in response to a query, enabling a tight integration of retrieval and generation. While there are promising applications in both academic and industrial settings, several important open challenges remain. These include out-of-distribution performance, low-resource settings, reliability, dynamic settings, and transparency.

Tasks and responsibilities

You will:

• Conduct research within the scope of the PhD project;
• Complete and defend a PhD thesis within the official appointment duration (four years);
• Publish your research in international conferences and journals;
• Present your work to both scientific and non-scientific audiences;
• Be an active member of the research group and participate in internal and external research activities;
• Contribute to teaching activities, such as mentoring students and giving guest lectures.

We are looking for enthusiastic and curious candidates who meet the following profile:

• Educational background: You hold (or are close to obtaining) a Master’s degree in Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, or a closely related discipline;
• Interests: You should have a strong interest in deep learning and information retrieval. (This point is about your motivation, not about the courses you have taken.)
• Programming skills: You have strong programming skills and experience with deep learning frameworks (e.g., PyTorch, TensorFlow);
• Teamwork and independence: You are motivated to contribute to open science and reproducible research. And you are able to work both independently and as part of a team;
• Communication skills: You have strong written and verbal communication skills in English.

Prior experience with large language models, generative methods, and/or retrieval tasks is advantageous but not required.

We offer a temporary contract for 38 hours per week for the duration of 4 years (the initial contract will be for a period of 18 months, and after satisfactory evaluation, it will be extended for a total duration of 4 years). The preferred starting date is in early to mid-2026. This should lead to a dissertation (PhD thesis). We will draft an educational plan that includes attendance at courses and (international) meetings. We also expect you to assist in teaching and tutoring undergraduates and master's students.

The gross monthly salary, based on 38 hours per week and dependent on relevant experience, ranges between € 3,059 to € 3,881 (scale P). This does not include 8% holiday allowance and 8,3% year-end allowance. The UFO profile PhD Candidate is applicable. A favourable tax agreement, the ‘30% ruling’, may apply to non-Dutch applicants. The Collective Labour Agreement of Universities of the Netherlands is applicable.

In addition to the salary and a vibrant and challenging environment at Science Park, we offer you multiple fringe benefits:

• 232 holiday hours per year (based on full-time) and extra holidays between Christmas and 1 January;
• multiple courses to follow from our Teaching and Learning Centre;
• a complete educational program for PhD students;
• multiple courses on topics such as leadership for academic staff, time management, handling stress, and an online learning platform with 100+ different courses;
• 7 weeks of birth leave (partner leave) with 100% salary;
• partly paid parental leave;
• the possibility of setting up a workplace at home;
• a pension at ABP for which UvA pays two-thirds of the contribution;
• the possibility to follow courses to learn Dutch;
• help with housing for a studio or small apartment when you’re moving from abroad.

If you are curious to read more about our extensive package of secondary employment benefits, take a look here.