PhD Student in Trustworthy AI for Autonomous Plant Operations — EPFL
- Location
- Lausanne
- Contract
- full-time
- Posted
- Yesterday
Role overview
The Intelligent Maintenance and Operations Systems (IMOS) Lab at EPFL is looking for a motivated and out-of-the-box thinking PhD researcher, (100%, in Lausanne, fixed-term) starting in November or upon agreement. PROJECT DESCRIPTION
The objective of this project is to develop a trustworthy AI framework for the autonomous operation of process plants.
The research will focus on AI agents that monitor the plant state, detect and diagnose abnormal situations, and recommend or execute operating actions, while meeting the safety, reliability and transparency requirements of safety-critical environments.
- The Intelligent Maintenance and Operations Systems (IMOS) Lab at EPFL is looking for a motivated and out-of-the-box thinking PhD researcher, (100%, in Lausanne, fixed-term) starting in November or upon agreement. PROJECT DESCRIPTION
- The objective of this project is to develop a trustworthy AI framework for the autonomous operation of process plants.
Application process
- Applications will include complex process plants, where autonomous decisions directly affect safety, product quality and asset lifetime. WORK ENVIRONMENT
- EPFL is one of the most dynamic university campuses in Europe, ranks among the top 20 universities worldwide and offers an exceptional working environment with very competitive salaries.
- The IMOS Lab (https://www.epfl.ch/labs/imos/ ) offers a highly motivating, interdisciplinary scientific environment with many opportunities to interact across projects and researchers, and maintains an excellent network of collaborations with industrial stakeholders and leading international universities. CANDIDATE PROFILE
- We are looking for a PhD candidate with a strong analytical background and an outstanding MSc degree in Computer Science, Robotics, Chemical/Process, Mechanical or Electrical Engineering, Control, Applied Mathematics, or a related field.
- You should have a solid foundation in machine learning and strong programming skills (Python, deep learning frameworks such as PyTorch), ideally with experience in one or more of the following: large language models and agentic AI, uncertainty quantification, anomaly detection and fault diagnosis, or decision-making under uncertainty.
- Prior experience with process systems engineering or process control, physics-informed or hybrid modeling, explainable AI, or the verification and safety assurance of learning-based systems is considered a strong asset, as is experience with industrial time-series data or process simulators.
- We expect the candidate to be self-driven, with strong problem-solving abilities and out-of-the-box thinking.
- Professional command of English (both written and spoken) is mandatory. Formal applications including: a letter of motivation, a CV of the candidate,
Contacts
- For more information, please contact: [email protected]
Additional details
- The Intelligent Maintenance and Operations Systems (IMOS) Lab at EPFL is looking for a motivated and out-of-the-box thinking PhD researcher, (100%, in Lausanne, fixed-term) starting in November or upon agreement. PROJECT DESCRIPTION
- Applications will include complex process plants, where autonomous decisions directly affect safety, product quality and asset lifetime.
- The IMOS Lab (https://www.epfl.ch/labs/imos/ ) offers a highly motivating, interdisciplinary scientific environment with many opportunities to interact across projects and researchers, and maintains an excellent network of collaborations with industrial stakeholders and leading international universities.
- Professional command of English (both written and spoken) is mandatory. APPLICATION PROCESS Formal applications including: a letter of motivation, a CV of the candidate,
- Contract Start Date: 01.11.2026 Activity Rate Min: 100 Activity Rate Max: 100 Duration: 1 year renewable
Notes and original content
- The Intelligent Maintenance and Operations Systems (IMOS) Lab at EPFL is looking for a motivated and out-of-the-box thinking PhD researcher, (100%, in Lausanne, fixed-term) starting in November or upon agreement.
- PROJECT DESCRIPTION
- WORK ENVIRONMENT
- CANDIDATE PROFILE
- Professional command of English (both written and spoken) is mandatory.
- APPLICATION PROCESS
- Formal applications including:
- a letter of motivation,
- a CV of the candidate,
- Contract Start Date: 01.11.2026
Questions about this listing
What salary does EPFL offer for this role?
EPFL lists CHF 60'500 - 91'500 gross per year for this position in Lausanne. This is the salary published in the original listing (or, when the employer omits a figure, a realistic estimate for the role and sector) — the calculator on this site converts it to 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 EPFL 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 EPFL 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 Vaud?
EU/EFTA residents living in the border zone of the country adjoining Canton Vaud 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 Vaud's cantonal migration office or with HR during the application.
How do I apply for this position at EPFL?
Use the "Apply now" button on this page — it links directly to EPFL's original listing at careers.epfl.ch, so your application goes straight to the employer's own applicant-tracking system. Frontaliere Ticino does not collect or forward applications itself.
