We are looking for a highly motivated Doctoral Researcher (f/m/d) to join the group of Jochen Triesch at the Frankfurt Institute for Advanced Studies (FIAS). The position is part of a new initiative within the German Excellence Cluster The Adaptive Mind (TAM) and is expected to start in early 2026. The application deadline is October 15, 2026.
About the position
The vacant position will be funded by the new German Excellence Cluster „The Adaptive Mind". Our goal is to reveal the computational and learning principles underlying the fascinating development of cognitive abilities in infants and toddlers through embodied computational modeling. To accomplish this goal, we will closely collaborate with Developmental Psychologists to develop embodied computational models of how infants and toddlers learn to perceive and understand the world, control their bodies and plan their behavior. These models will make use of our MIMo (Multimodal Infant Model) platform (see: https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/abstract/document/10382408). Topics of interest include, but are not limited to, the development of abstract multimodal sensory representations, body know-how, and models of the self.
About FIAS
The Frankfurt Institute for Advanced Studies (FIAS) is a hub for theoretical and computational research located on the science campus of Goethe University Frankfurt (Campus Riedberg). Our fellows pursue interdisciplinary approaches to address fundamental questions in the natural sciences. The group of Jochen Triesch at FIAS is seeking a doctoral student in the area of Developmental AI and computational modeling of cognitive development.
For more information on the Triesch Group and FIAS, please visit: https://www.fias.science/de/lebens-und-neurowissenschaften/gruppen/jochen-triesch
About TAM
The Adaptive Mind (TAM) is an excellence cluster funded within Germany’s excellence strategy, which aims to strengthen Germany’s position as an outstanding research hub in the long term and further improve its international competitiveness. The Adaptive Mind is a research cluster that brings together scientists from Experimental Psychology, Clinical Psychology and Artificial Intelligence in order to understand how the human mind successfully adapts to changing conditions, and what happens when these adaptive processes fail. For more information please visit: https://www.theadaptivemind.de/
We are looking for a candidate with:
- An excellent master’s degree in machine learning, cognitive science, robotics, physics, engineering or related field
- A strong quantitative background
- Prior knowledge in Cognitive Development is advantageous, but not required.
We offer:
- an inspiring work atmosphere
- excellent research infrastructure and dedicated mentoring
- outstanding opportunities for training and career development. You will be affiliated with the Excellence Cluster „The Adaptive Mind“, Goethe-University and a fellow of FIGSS, the graduate school of FIAS
- rich possibilities to collaborate with experimental groups
- the opportunity to live in Frankfurt am Main, a vibrant and exciting cosmopolitan city in the heart of Europe, which consistently earns high rankings in worldwide surveys of quality of life
- a funded PhD position with a competitive salary (65%, based on the TV-H E13 pay scale).
Required documents:
- a motivation letter, highlighting why you want to do a PhD in the field and in our lab
- a detailed curriculum vitae containing academic qualifications, research experiences, skills, possibly a publication list where you highlight your specific contributions
- names and contact information of at least two scientists who can give references
- detailed transcripts of records of your Master’s and Bachelor’s programs.
The Frankfurt Institute for Advanced Studies is committed to fostering a workplace culture that promotes equality, diversity, and inclusion. We strongly encourage applications from qualified individuals regardless of gender, nationality, ethnic or social origin, religion, disability, age, or sexual orientation.
In accordance with the German General Equal Treatment Act (AGG), all qualified applicants will be given equal consideration. Where qualifications are equal, preference will be given to applicants with a disability.
Please note that any costs incurred in connection with a personal interview will not be reimbursed. For questions, please contact:
Frankfurt Institute for Advanced Studies (FIAS)
Ruth-Moufang-Str. 1, 60438 Frankfurt am Main
triesch_at_fias.uni-frankfurt.de
https://fias.uni-frankfurt.de
Application
