2 PhD and 2 Postdoctoral Positions in Deep Learning and World Models

2 PhD and 2 Postdoctoral Positions in Deep Learning and World Models

University of Bern – Computer Vision Group

Are you passionate about deep learning, self-supervised learning, generative AI, and pushing the boundaries of artificial intelligence? The Computer Vision Group (CVG) at the University of Bern, Switzerland, invites applications for two PhD positions and two postdoctoral positions across two ambitious research projects.

About the Positions

Successful candidates will conduct original research in one of the following areas:

Project 1: Collaborative World Models

1 postdoctoral position, joining two PhD researchers who have been already recruited for the project

This project investigates collaborative world-model agents: independently operating visual models that learn to predict how environments evolve, retain distinct perspectives and memories, and communicate to solve problems together. The central question is what these agents should represent and exchange, and how they can align predictions, negotiate plans, and coordinate actions while remaining autonomous and specialized. The research combines generative video modeling, self-supervised learning, memory, test-time adaptation, and decision-making, with potential applications in embodied AI and robotics. The successful candidate will join an existing team working on controllable, memory-augmented, and task-solving world models.

Project 2: Self-Supervised and Meta-Learning for Rapid Adaptation

2 PhD positions and 1 postdoctoral position

This project investigates how the structure of pretraining data and the choice of learning objective shape the prior knowledge acquired by deep-learning models, and how these priors can be optimized to enable rapid adaptation to novel tasks. The research combines the development of novel datasets, controlled benchmark environments, and methods for evaluating knowledge and problem-solving with the design of new learning algorithms and architectures for efficient, robust, and transferable intelligence. The project is fully funded for four years and will be carried out in close collaboration with Prof. Andrea Vedaldi at the University of Oxford.

General Information

• All positions are fully funded within their respective projects
• Start date: October 1, 2026, or by agreement
• Applications will be reviewed until excellent candidates are found
• Successful candidates will conduct original research within a well-established and dynamic research group

Your Profile

We are looking for curious and ambitious researchers who are eager to work on high-impact questions in artificial intelligence.

Job Details

• Publication Date: 24.08.2026
• Workload (%): 100%
• Industry: IT
• Function: Academic research
• Entry date: By Appointment
• Salary: CHF 5,392.00 / Month
• Job location: Neubrückstrasse 10, 3012 Bern, Suisse

Contact Information

Mr. Prof. Dr. Paolo Favaro
+41316843342
Neubrückstrasse 10
3012 Bern