AI for Large-Scale Computing

We are seeking highly motivated PhD candidates and postdocs to join the ETCETERA project (Einstein Telescope Computing, Experimental Testbed & End-to-end Research Architecture), a large cross-border collaboration funded through the Interreg Meuse-Rhine (NL-BE-DE) programme and co-funded by the European Union.

The Einstein Telescope (ET) is Europe's next-generation gravitational-wave observatory. Expected to detect thousands of signals per day and generate data at the petabyte scale. Transforming these massive data streams into scientific discoveries requires intelligent methods that can efficiently orchestrate complex workflows, allocate computational resources, accelerate scientific simulations, and support real-time decision-making in large-scale computing environments.

The ETCETERA consortium brings together 14 leading universities, research institutes, and technology companies from Belgium, the Netherlands, and Germany. Together, they cover the entire spectrum of expertise required to build the computational ecosystem for the Einstein Telescope-from artificial intelligence, statistics, optimisation, and scientific machine learning to high-performance computing, hardware technologies, software engineering, and gravitational-wave science. This unique interdisciplinary environment offers outstanding opportunities for collaboration with internationally recognised researchers and industrial innovators.

Join the team that is developing the intelligent computing infrastructure for Europe's next-generation gravitational-wave observatory. The positions advertised here will be located at the Data Science Institute (UHasselt), the Leuven Gravity Institute (KULeuven) and the Research Institute in Mathematics and Physics (UCLouvain).

Research Topics

Possible research topics include:

• AI-driven workflow orchestration and scheduling;
• intelligent resource allocation in heterogeneous computing environments;
• task-specialized compact language-based assistants for managing workflows;
• multi-agent AI systems for distributed scientific computing;
• foundation models and language models for workflow optimisation;
• physics-informed AI;
• GPU-accelerated and heterogeneous computing;
• explainable and trustworthy AI for scientific applications.

The exact research topic will be determined in consultation with the successful candidate(s), taking into account individual expertise and interests. Candidates will contribute to one or more research activities within the ETCETERA project and will collaborate closely with researchers in artificial intelligence, computer science, data science, gravitational-wave physics, and high-performance computing across Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany., * Fully funded four-year PhD position at UHasselt (starting with a contract for two years, and extended with another two years if progress is positively evaluated); Or two fully funded two-year post-doctoral positions at UC Louvain or KU Leuven.

• An exciting interdisciplinary research topic at the intersection of AI, data science, physics, and scientific computing;
• Collaboration with leading international researchers and industrial partners;
• Opportunities for conference participation, international networking, and scientific publications;
• Stimulating and supportive research environments.

• A Master's or PhD degree in Data Science, Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Physics, (Applied) Mathematics, Statistics, Engineering, or a related field;
• Strong analytical and quantitative skills;
• Experience with programming (Python, …);
• Interest in AI, optimization, machine learning, or large-scale computing systems;
• Excellent communication skills and proficiency in English.

A background in physics is an asset but not required., PhD or equivalent

Research Field Mathematics » Applied mathematics

Education Level PhD or equivalent

Research Field Physics » Computational physics

Education Level PhD or equivalent, We are looking for candidates with:

• A Master's or PhD degree in Data Science, Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Physics, (Applied) Mathematics, Statistics, Engineering, or a related field;
• Strong analytical and quantitative skills;
• Experience with programming (Python, …);
• Interest in AI, optimization, machine learning, or large-scale computing systems;
• Excellent communication skills and proficiency in English.

A background in physics is an asset but not required.

As the project begins on October 1, the candidates must be ready to start on this date.

Languages ENGLISH

The positions provide a unique opportunity to conduct fundamental AI research while contributing to one of Europe's largest scientific infrastructures. The methodologies developed within the project will not only support the Einstein Telescope, but will also find applications in data centres, digital twins, cloud computing, space technologies, electricity network management, and other large-scale AI-driven computing systems.