Doctoral Position in Machine Learning for Engineering Design

About the role

The Laboratory for Intelligence in Design Engineering and Learning (IDEAL) in the Department of Mechanical and Process Engineering at ETH Zurich invites applications for one to two doctoral (Ph.D.) positions in Machine Learning for Engineering Design, under the guidance of Prof. Mark Fuge, Chair of Artificial Intelligence in Engineering Design. The lab studies AI and machine learning in engineering design problems in fields such as healthcare, power generation, aerospace and robotics. This is a general search, not tied to a single project, and prioritizes scientific excellence and fit to the lab.

Key responsibilities

• Carry out research individually or in collaboration, including writing publications and contributing to code bases
• Work with partners from industry, academia and national labs to turn real-world needs into scientific or technical questions
• Learn new skills through courses, other educational offerings and self-study
• Help with the lab's teaching mission, including supporting master's and bachelor's thesis students and assisting in courses
• Contribute to shared laboratory administrative tasks

Required profile

• Diverse educational backgrounds are welcome, including engineering, mathematics, computer science, physics or others
• Interests in or expertise in machine learning, optimization, simulation or robotics are typical
• A strong publication record in journals or CS conferences is a plus, not required
• Strong English and the ability to work in multinational teams

Required skills

• Experience with high-performance computing environments or software engineering best practices is a plus, not required

What we offer

• World-class research infrastructure and a supportive, shared work culture
• A diverse, multicultural team in a creative research environment
• An intellectually rich environment with top scholars worldwide
• Personalized professional development and mentoring, with a track record of placing researchers in academic and industrial positions

Applications must be submitted online through the ETH Zurich application portal by 15 January 2027, with a CV, research statement, transcripts, cover letter and contact details for two references. Interviews are expected before 1 March 2027; the earliest start is anticipated in May 2027, the latest in October 2027.