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Two PhD positions in Natural Language Processing

  • Faculty of Science
  • 13927
  • Master's
  • €2.901 - €3.707
  • 38 hours
  • Closes on
    21-04-2025
Apply

Two PhD positions in Natural Language Processing

  • Faculty of Science
  • 13927
  • Master's
  • €2.901 - €3.707
  • 38 hours
  • Closes on
    21-04-2025
Apply

Working at the UvA

Join Us!

In the last two years, LLMs found wide adoption in many areas of societal life. Their development, however, requires access to a vast amount of data and resources in a given language, as well as considerable computational infrastructure. As a result, these models are in practice limited to a handful of widely-spoken languages, leaving over 6,000 of the world's languages and dialects without access to language technology. Furthermore, research on LLM alignment, which aims to ensure the safety of their use, has been almost exclusively directed toward the English-speaking world. Taken together, these problems lead to a major inequity in today's language technology and artificial intelligence more broadly.

In this project, we will develop a new methodology for cross-lingual transfer of LLMs to a wide-range of (low-resource, understudied) languages and dialects, and their alignment to diverse cultural contexts. In particular, we will explore techniques from the areas of few-shot learning, continual learning and modular deep learning, as well as different LLM alignment frameworks, based on reinforcement learning and direct preference optimisation, extending them to perform pluralistic alignment. To enhance model interpretability, we will also develop methods to better understand the mechanisms of cross-lingual transfer in LLMs and their cultural awareness.

We welcome applications from recent MSc graduates in relevant areas, such as artificial intelligence and natural language processing. An ideal candidate will have a strong technical background in natural language processing or machine learning, but also a keen interest in language and society. You will become a member of the thriving and friendly Amsterdam NLU Lab.

Working at the UvA

Join Us!

In the last two years, LLMs found wide adoption in many areas of societal life. Their development, however, requires access to a vast amount of data and resources in a given language, as well as considerable computational infrastructure. As a result, these models are in practice limited to a handful of widely-spoken languages, leaving over 6,000 of the world's languages and dialects without access to language technology. Furthermore, research on LLM alignment, which aims to ensure the safety of their use, has been almost exclusively directed toward the English-speaking world. Taken together, these problems lead to a major inequity in today's language technology and artificial intelligence more broadly.

In this project, we will develop a new methodology for cross-lingual transfer of LLMs to a wide-range of (low-resource, understudied) languages and dialects, and their alignment to diverse cultural contexts. In particular, we will explore techniques from the areas of few-shot learning, continual learning and modular deep learning, as well as different LLM alignment frameworks, based on reinforcement learning and direct preference optimisation, extending them to perform pluralistic alignment. To enhance model interpretability, we will also develop methods to better understand the mechanisms of cross-lingual transfer in LLMs and their cultural awareness.

We welcome applications from recent MSc graduates in relevant areas, such as artificial intelligence and natural language processing. An ideal candidate will have a strong technical background in natural language processing or machine learning, but also a keen interest in language and society. You will become a member of the thriving and friendly Amsterdam NLU Lab.

All about this vacancy

This is what you will do

You will be expected to contribute to the project, described above, and:

  • to complete and defend a PhD thesis within the official appointment duration of four years; 

  • to present research results regularly at international workshops and conferences, and to publish them in conference proceedings and journals;

  • to participate in and to contribute to the organisation of research activities and events at the Institute, such as workshops and colloquia.

All PhD candidates at the ILLC are furthermore expected to make a small contribution to the institute’s educational mission, e.g., by working as teaching assistants for courses in their area of expertise and by assisting with the supervision of student research projects.

Your profile

  • a Master’s degree in a relevant discipline, such as Natural Language Processing or Artificial Intelligence;

  • technical skills and scientific interest to conduct cutting-edge research in natural language processing and machine learning;

  • an excellent academic track record;

  • experience in natural language processing;

  • a serious interest in pursuing fundamental research;

  • ability to work with a high degree of independence and eagerness to contribute your own ideas;

  • good writing and presentation skills;

  • full proficiency in spoken and written English.

Please note that knowledge of the Dutch language is not required for these positions, nor is it required for being able to live in Amsterdam. However, PhD candidates at the ILLC have the opportunity to attend Dutch language classes if they wish.

This is what we offer you

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 1st of September 2025 . 

The gross monthly salary, based on 38 hours per week and dependent on relevant experience, ranges between € 2,901 to € 3,707 (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. 

All about this vacancy

This is what you will do

You will be expected to contribute to the project, described above, and:

  • to complete and defend a PhD thesis within the official appointment duration of four years; 

  • to present research results regularly at international workshops and conferences, and to publish them in conference proceedings and journals;

  • to participate in and to contribute to the organisation of research activities and events at the Institute, such as workshops and colloquia.

All PhD candidates at the ILLC are furthermore expected to make a small contribution to the institute’s educational mission, e.g., by working as teaching assistants for courses in their area of expertise and by assisting with the supervision of student research projects.

Your profile

  • a Master’s degree in a relevant discipline, such as Natural Language Processing or Artificial Intelligence;

  • technical skills and scientific interest to conduct cutting-edge research in natural language processing and machine learning;

  • an excellent academic track record;

  • experience in natural language processing;

  • a serious interest in pursuing fundamental research;

  • ability to work with a high degree of independence and eagerness to contribute your own ideas;

  • good writing and presentation skills;

  • full proficiency in spoken and written English.

Please note that knowledge of the Dutch language is not required for these positions, nor is it required for being able to live in Amsterdam. However, PhD candidates at the ILLC have the opportunity to attend Dutch language classes if they wish.

This is what we offer you

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 1st of September 2025 . 

The gross monthly salary, based on 38 hours per week and dependent on relevant experience, ranges between € 2,901 to € 3,707 (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. 

Your place at the UvA

You will work in this team

The University of Amsterdam is the largest university in the Netherlands, with the broadest spectrum of degree programmes. It is an intellectual hub with 42,000 students, 6,000 employees and 3,000 doctoral students who are all committed to a culture of inquiring minds.

The Faculty of Humanities provides education and conducts research with a strong international profile in a large number of disciplines in de field of language and culture. Located in the heart of Amsterdam, the faculty maintains close ties with many cultural institutes in the capital city. Research and teaching staff focus on interdisciplinary collaboration and are active in several teaching programmes.

The Institute for Logic, Language and Computation is home to a thriving community of scholars, including philosophers, logicians, mathematicians, computer scientists, linguists, musicologists, and cognitive scientists, who share a fascination with the interdisciplinary study of information. At the ILLC we combine the problem solving skills from the sciences with the holistic and reflective view of the humanities to discover the principles that regulate information processing and find answers to some of the hardest challenges of our time.

Want to know more about our organisation? Read more about working at the University of Amsterdam.

Organisational unit

The University of Amsterdam is ambitious, creative and committed. An inspiration to students since 1632, a vanguard player in international science and a partner in innovation.
The University of Amsterdam is the largest university in the Netherlands, with the broadest range of courses on offer. An intellectual hub with 42,000 students, 6,000 staff and 3,000 PhD students. Connected by a culture of curiosity.

Your place at the UvA

This is where you will be working

You will work in this team

The University of Amsterdam is the largest university in the Netherlands, with the broadest spectrum of degree programmes. It is an intellectual hub with 42,000 students, 6,000 employees and 3,000 doctoral students who are all committed to a culture of inquiring minds.

The Faculty of Humanities provides education and conducts research with a strong international profile in a large number of disciplines in de field of language and culture. Located in the heart of Amsterdam, the faculty maintains close ties with many cultural institutes in the capital city. Research and teaching staff focus on interdisciplinary collaboration and are active in several teaching programmes.

The Institute for Logic, Language and Computation is home to a thriving community of scholars, including philosophers, logicians, mathematicians, computer scientists, linguists, musicologists, and cognitive scientists, who share a fascination with the interdisciplinary study of information. At the ILLC we combine the problem solving skills from the sciences with the holistic and reflective view of the humanities to discover the principles that regulate information processing and find answers to some of the hardest challenges of our time.

Want to know more about our organisation? Read more about working at the University of Amsterdam.

Organisational unit

The University of Amsterdam is ambitious, creative and committed. An inspiration to students since 1632, a vanguard player in international science and a partner in innovation.
The University of Amsterdam is the largest university in the Netherlands, with the broadest range of courses on offer. An intellectual hub with 42,000 students, 6,000 staff and 3,000 PhD students. Connected by a culture of curiosity.

Important to know

Your application & contact

If you feel the profile fits you, and you are interested in the job, we look forward to receiving your application. You can apply online via the red button. We accept applications until and including 21st of April 2025.

If you have any questions or do you require additional information? Please contact:

Applications should include the following information (all files besides your cv should be submitted in one single pdf file):

  • a detailed CV including the months (not just years) when referring to your education and work experience;

  • a letter of motivation;

  • a list of publications;

  • the names and email addresses of two references who can provide letters of recommendation.

A knowledge security check can be part of the selection procedure.
(for details: national knowledge security guidelines)

Only complete applications received within the response period via the red button will be considered.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

As an employer, the UvA maintains an equal opportunities policy. We value diversity and are fully committed to being a place where everyone feels at home. We nurture inquisitive minds and perseverance and allow room for persistent questioning. With us, curiosity and creativity are the prevailing culture.
Read more

Important to know

Your application & contact

If you feel the profile fits you, and you are interested in the job, we look forward to receiving your application. You can apply online via the red button. We accept applications until and including 21st of April 2025.

If you have any questions or do you require additional information? Please contact:

Applications should include the following information (all files besides your cv should be submitted in one single pdf file):

  • a detailed CV including the months (not just years) when referring to your education and work experience;

  • a letter of motivation;

  • a list of publications;

  • the names and email addresses of two references who can provide letters of recommendation.

A knowledge security check can be part of the selection procedure.
(for details: national knowledge security guidelines)

Only complete applications received within the response period via the red button will be considered.

As an employer, the UvA maintains an equal opportunities policy. We value diversity and are fully committed to being a place where everyone feels at home. We nurture inquisitive minds and perseverance and allow room for persistent questioning. With us, curiosity and creativity are the prevailing culture.

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