PhD Position in Mathematical Foundations of Machine Learning — Universität Bern
- Location
- Bern
- Contract
- Full-time
- Posted
- 92 days ago
Full description
UniBE is ambitious. With us, you deliver top performance and test your skills against the best.
What You Can Expect
You will join an active, supportive, inclusive, and collaborative research environment at the Department of Mathematics and Statistics. You will work on exciting fundamental questions at the interface of mathematics and modern AI and collaborate with national and international researchers. You will also contribute to teaching as a teaching assistant. Employment conditions and remuneration are in accordance with the standards of the University of Bern, Switzerland.
Profile of the Candidate
Applicants should hold, or be close to completing, a Master's degree in pure or applied mathematics, theoretical physics, statistics, or a related field. We seek motivated candidates with a strong background in mathematics (e.g., in one or more of the following areas: analysis, probability theory, stochastic processes, statistical physics, optimal transport, dynamical systems, optimization, or machine learning theory), an interest in the mathematical principles underlying modern AI (or in related problems), the ability to work both independently and collaboratively, and good written and spoken English. Knowledge of German is not required. Programming experience is beneficial but not required. International reputation Application and Contact
Applications should include
- a motivation letter (maximum one page);
- a curriculum vitae (maximum two pages);
- available BSc/MSc diplomas or academic transcripts;
- the names and contact details of one or two referees; and
- optional: a summary of the master's thesis (maximum two pages)
Evaluation of applications will continue until the position is filled. The exact starting date will be agreed upon with the successful candidate.
About the Project
Modern artificial intelligence systems achieve remarkable performance, yet the mathematical mechanisms underlying their behavior remain only partially understood. This project seeks to develop a rigorous theory of modern learning algorithms and to explain how their architecture and dynamics determine their performance. Depending on their background and interests, the candidate will use tools from analysis, probability theory, stochastic processes, statistical physics, dynamical systems, optimization, and optimal transport to prove mathematical results describing the behavior of modern learning algorithms in suitable abstract settings. Possible research directions include training dynamics and signal propagation in deep neural networks, including transformers; generative modeling; high-dimensional learning systems; sampling algorithms; collective phenomena in large-scale models; and quantum algorithms. The work will be primarily theoretical. Computational experiments may be used to guide conjectures and illustrate theoretical results, depending on the candidate's interests. What You Can Expect
Profile of the Candidate
More Information Job-Abo Application Process
Your Benefits
Strong research infrastructure and international network Collaborative environment and ambitious team Individual career support Other benefits
Your Salary
Your annual gross salary for the year 2026 amounts to 50'042 Swiss francs for full-time employment, including the 13th month salary.
Working at the University of Bern
The University of Bern not only offers exciting tasks but also an environment that actively promotes development, diversity, and equal opportunities. Discover what makes us stand out as an employer and how you can grow with us. Career page Open positions
Questions about this listing
What salary does Universität Bern offer for this role?
The original listing does not state a salary. Our estimate for this role and sector in Bern is CHF 85'000 - 119'000 gross per year — an estimate, not a figure communicated by Universität Bern. The calculator on this site converts a gross salary into your actual net take-home once cross-border tax and social contributions are applied.
Is this a full-time role, and what type of contract does Universität Bern offer?
This listing is a full-time position. The contract type shown here comes directly from the employer's original posting; always confirm exact hours, notice period and probation length with Universität Bern during the application process, since these details can vary by role even within the same contract category.
Do I need a cross-border work permit for a role in Bern?
EU/EFTA residents living in the border zone of the country adjoining Canton Bern can apply for a G permit; the Swiss employer files it with that canton's migration office after the contract is signed. Border-zone rules and processing times vary by neighbouring country and canton, so confirm the specifics with Bern's cantonal migration office or with HR during the application.
How do I apply for this position at Universität Bern?
Use the "Apply now" button on this page — it links directly to Universität Bern's original listing at jobs.unibe.ch, so your application goes straight to the employer's own applicant-tracking system. Frontaliere Ticino does not collect or forward applications itself.
