Associate Professor In Generative AI

Introduction

Are you motivated to advance the scientific foundations of Generative AI and contribute to the development of rigorous, reliable, and societally relevant AI systems? Are you prepared to take a leading role in shaping research and education within a major academic department at the forefront of mathematics, computer science, data science, and AI?

The Department of Mathematics and Computer Science at Eindhoven University of Technology, one of the largest and most research‑intensive departments in the Netherlands, invites applications for the position of Associate Professor in Generative AI. Embedded within the Data and Artificial Intelligence cluster, you have the opportunity to contribute to advancing fundamental AI methodology, strengthening international collaborations, and supporting the department’s mission to develop robust, trustworthy, and theoretically grounded AI systems with broad scientific and societal impact.

Job Description

You will join the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science (M&CS) which is the largest department of the Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e) and one of the largest departments in the Netherlands in the area of mathematics and computer science. M&CS has approximately 535 employees with more than 148 scientific staff (assistant, associate, and full professors) and more than 264 PhD, Postdoc and EngD students. The department has research collaborations with the other departments at TU/e, with many organizations in the Brainport region, and with universities and companies in the Netherlands and abroad.

M&CS is organized in three different domains: mathematics, computer science, and data science. The position of associate professor on Generative AI will be part of the cluster Data and Artificial Intelligence. The Data and Artificial Intelligence (DAI) cluster studies foundations of AI for the present and the future. It is focused on the design of new AI methods and the development of AI algorithms and tools to expand the reach of AI and its generalization abilities. In particular, the DAI cluster studies foundational issues of robustness, safety, fairness, trust, reliability, tractability, scalability, interpretability, and explainability of AI.

Research within Generative AI

The field of Generative AI tackles the problem of formulating AI systems by combining probabilistic modeling and deep learning. Generative AI goes beyond the typical predictive modeling and brings together supervised learning and unsupervised learning by utilizing the generative perspective on perceiving the surrounding world. It assumes that each phenomenon is driven by an underlying generative process that defines a joint distribution over random variables and their stochastic interactions, i.e., how events occur and in what order. Nowadays, the distribution is parameterized using deep neural networks. There are two distinct traits of Generative AI. First, the application of deep neural networks allows rich and flexible parameterization of distributions. Second, the principled manner of modeling stochastic dependencies using probability theory ensures rigorous formulation and prevents potential flaws in reasoning. Moreover, probability theory provides a unified framework where the likelihood function plays a crucial role in quantifying uncertainty and defining objective functions. As a result, Generative AI aims for formulating deep generative models that could be used for defining generative processes, synthesizing new data, and quantifying uncertainty.

The Associate Professor in Generative AI is expected to drive research in Generative AI, developing strong theoretical and practical results with clear societal impact. The position requires deep and broad insight into the research domain and a leading role in the field. This should be supported by a strong publication record and other forms of international recognition.

Your tasks involve:

• To stimulate research of the Data and Artificial Intelligence cluster, to initiate new and strengthen existing research directions.
• To take responsibility in developing and executing top quality education in the Computer Science, Data Science and AI programs of the department. A concrete opportunity is to develop and teach a stable Deep Learning course suitable for our master programs.
• To supervise BSc, MSc, PhD, and EngD students.
• To initiate, acquire and coordinate research projects, in the context of external funding, and to assist colleagues in such endeavors.
• To take a proactive role in strengthening the relations with international partners.
• To perform managerial and/or administrative tasks for the department, the university, or inter-university institutes.

Job Requirements

• Motivated researcher, with a PhD and track record in generative AI.
• Ability to conduct high quality academic research, reflected in demonstratable outputs.
• Ability to teach, demonstrated by experience in teaching. Informed vision on teaching and learning within your own discipline.
• Strong cooperation skills and ability to work in an interdisciplinary team.
• Effective communication and leadership skills, including coaching and mentoring of students and staff, leading a project or chairing a group.
• Excellent (written and verbal) proficiency in English.

Conditions of Employment

A meaningful job in a dynamic and ambitious university, in an interdisciplinary setting and within an international network. You will work on a beautiful, green campus within walking distance of the central train station. In addition, we offer you:

• Salary in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, scale 13 or 14 (min. €6,512.- max. €8,673.-). 
• A year-end bonus of 8.3% and annual vacation pay of 8%.
• A dedicated mentoring program to help you get to know the university and the Dutch (research) environment.
• High-quality training programs for academic leadership and teaching.
• An excellent technical infrastructure, on-campus children's day care and sports facilities.
• Unlimited access to the modern on‑campus TU/e Student Sports Center at an exceptionally affordable rate.
• Partially paid parental leave and an allowance for commuting, working from home and internet costs.
• A Staff Immigration Team is available for international candidates, as are a tax compensation scheme (the 30% facility) and partner career support.

On our website you can discover even more information about our conditions of employment. Build on your career at TU/e!

About us

We are a leading international university where scientific curiosity meets a hands-on mindset. We work in an open and collaborative way with high-tech industries to tackle complex societal challenges. Our responsible and respectful approach ensures impact — today and in the future. TU/e is home to over 13,000 students and more than 7,000 staff, forming a diverse and vibrant academic community.

Our university is located in Brainport Eindhoven — a world‑leading tech region with more than 7,000 high‑tech companies and strong R&D activity. Known for breakthroughs in AI, photonics, semiconductors and advanced manufacturing, Brainport is a place where technology serves people and society. Learn more about the Brainport region here.

Information

Do you recognize yourself in this profile and would you like to know more?
Please contact the hiring manager Prof. Dr. Mykola Pechenizkiy, [email protected].

Visit our website for more information about the application process. You can also contact Annette van Kamp-Rustenburg, Senior Recruiter, [email protected].

Curious to hear more about what it is like as a professor at TU/e? Please watch the video.

Are you inspired and would like to know more about working at TU/e? Please visit our career page.

Application

We invite you to submit a complete application. The application should include a:

• Cover letter in which you describe your motivation and qualifications for the position.
• Curriculum vitae, including a list of your publications and the contact information of three references. Kindly note that we may reach out to references at any stage of the recruitment process. We recommend notifying your references upon submitting your application.
• Description of your scientific interests and plans (1-2 pages).
• Statement of your teaching goals and experience (1-2 pages).

While the position will remain open until mid‑August, we plan to begin reviewing the first applications at the end of June. We would therefore appreciate receiving your application at your earliest convenience.

Please ensure that you submit all the requested application documents. Please note that incomplete applications may not be considered and could be rejected.

Please note 

• You can apply online. We will not process applications sent by email and/or post. 
• A pre-employment screening (e.g. knowledge security check) can be part of the selection procedure. For more information on the knowledge security check, please consult the National Knowledge Security Guidelines.
• Please do not contact us for unsolicited services.