PhD Student in Applied ML and NLP / PhD Student in Applied ML and NLP

PhD Student in Applied ML and NLP

100%, Zurich, fixed-term

Join our team as we embark on an SNSF-funded project titled "Responsible AI for the Swiss Judiciary." This initiative aims to explore real-world applications of artificial intelligence within the Swiss judiciary by collaborating closely with courts and various partners across Switzerland. We are seeking a dedicated PhD Student in Applied Machine Learning and Natural Language Processing at ETH Zurich. This role offers a unique opportunity to develop and evaluate AI-based prototypes that support judicial decision-making while emphasizing real-world applicability. You will combine cutting-edge AI research with impactful societal applications in a project that collaborates closely with judicial partners.

Job Description

The doctoral researcher will focus on the development and evaluation of AI-based research prototypes for legal applications, with a strong emphasis on technical implementation and practical deployment.

Core Responsibilities Include:

• Developing and implementing AI systems for legal text processing and decision support (e.g., LLMs, retrieval-augmented generation, agentic systems)
• Building production-quality prototypes suitable for pilot deployment in judicial settings, including robust retrieval systems, LLM pipelines, and evaluation infrastructure
• Designing and executing systematic evaluations of model performance, robustness, and reliability
• Creating datasets, benchmarks, and pipelines for legal AI applications
• Enhancing model architectures, prompting strategies, and retrieval systems for high-stakes environments
• Conducting pilot evaluations with judicial partners to study AI tool performance in real decision-making workflows and translating findings into technical improvements
• Publishing research results in leading venues of artificial intelligence and computational social science
• Engaging in a cumulative PhD with a strong methodological and technical focus
• Working primarily in our offices located in downtown Zurich, where the working languages are German and English

Profile

We are looking for candidates who possess strong foundational knowledge in Machine Learning and Natural Language Processing, coupled with practical engineering skills. Ideal candidates should understand the intricacies of model operations and be capable of developing reliable, deployable systems. To be considered, you:

• Must hold a Master's degree in Computer Science, Data Science, or a closely related field
• Have robust analytical and problem-solving abilities
• Are capable of working independently and taking ownership of technical components
• Have a keen interest in applying AI methods to real-world, high-stakes domains
• Are motivated to collaborate with legal stakeholders from the Swiss judiciary
• Have experience with large language models, information retrieval, evaluation of ML systems, and application deployments (highly desirable)
• Possess excellent command of English; proficiency in German is a plus

We Offer

• Your role with impact: Become part of ETH Zurich, an institution committed not only to professional development but also to fostering positive societal change.
• Enjoy numerous benefits, including public transport season tickets, car-sharing facilities, a wide range of sports offered by ASVZ, childcare services, and attractive pension plans.

Commitment to Diversity and Sustainability

At ETH Zurich, we encourage an inclusive culture that promotes equality of opportunity and values diversity. Our commitment is to create a working and learning environment where the rights and dignity of all staff and students are respected. For further information, please visit our Equal Opportunities and Diversity website. Sustainability is a core value for us, and we are diligently working towards a climate-neutral future.

Curious? So Are We.

To proceed with your application, please Apply online using the form below. Only applications matching the job profile will be considered.

About ETH Zurich

ETH Zurich is one of the world's leading universities specializing in science and technology. We are renowned for our exceptional education, groundbreaking fundamental research, and the direct transfer of new knowledge into society. Over 30,000 individuals from more than 120 countries find our institution to be a beacon of independent thought and an inspiring environment for excellence. Situated in the heart of Europe, we forge connections globally, working collectively to address the pressing challenges of today and tomorrow.