PhD & Postdoc Program

The ELLIS PhD & Postdoc Program pairs outstanding students with leading researchers across Europe in machine learning, AI and related fields, and offers international exchanges, joint supervision, and a vibrant research community.

Unique Features of the ELLIS PhD & Postdoc Program

blue outline icon two people each with a speech bubble talking to each other

Dual supervision spanning 2 European countries

blue outline icon 3 arrows going in different directions

Choose from 3 tracks of study

blue outline icon finger touching a central point with lines coming out of it

1 centralised application to 50-100 institutions

blue outline icon 2 hands holding puzzle pieces fitting together

Cross-sector collaboration

blue outline icon earth with 2 point marked and arrows pointing to them

6-month research exchange in Europe

"I joined the ELLIS PhD Program to be part of a vibrant European research network and connect with experts across diverse fields. It has already accelerated my work through opportunities like attending the FoMo Winter School in Amsterdam, a 6-month exchange in Lisbon, and presenting at the EDS in Warsaw. ELLIS not only helped me complete impactful projects but also opened the door to exciting new ideas and collaborations."

Wafaa Mohammed
Wafaa Mohammed

PhD Student, University of Amsterdam

Beyond the Thesis

Hear perspectives from ELLIS PhD alumni on the ELLIS PhD Program: its benefits and challenges, its impact on their careers, and their views on the future of AI research.

How to join the Program

Find out about the requirements, benefits and application process

Read More

ELLIS Fellows & Scholars with advising privileges may apply to be ELLIS PhD Advisors

Read More

Latest News from the PhD Program

ELLIS PhD Award 2025 Winner with photos of Zhijing Jin, Maksym Andriushchenko, Ziwei Zhang, and Elias Frantar
December 2nd, 2025
The ELLIS PhD Award 2025 recognizes four young scientists from universities in Tübingen, Lausanne, Zurich & Vienna
This year’s ELLIS PhD Award goes to four young exceptional machine learning researchers from universities in Germany, Switzerland and Austria: Zhijing Jin from Max...
ELLIS PhD & Postdoc Program, Unit Warsaw: ELLIS Doctoral Symposium 2025 with a large photo of many students sitting on yellow bleacher seats
October 13th, 2025
Bright Minds, Robust Ideas: EDS 2025 in Warsaw
From 25 to 29 August 2025, Warsaw hosted the ELLIS Doctoral Symposium (EDS) on "Robust AI", bringing together nearly 180 participants, including PhD students, invited...
ELLIS PhD & Postdoc Program, Call for Proposals, ELLIS Winter & Summer Schools 2026, ELLIS Doctoral Symposium 2027, a photo of dozens of students sitting on yellow stadium seating
September 2nd, 2025
Call for proposals - Organisation of ELLIS Summer/Winter Schools (2026) or ELLIS Doctoral Symposium (2027)
The ELLIS Society is now opening its yearly call for the organisation of summer/winter schools for 2026, to be held over one week! As a grassroots initiative, the...

People Leading the PhD & Postdoc Program

PhD & Postdoc Program Coordination

ELLIS Edge Newsletter
Join the 6,000+ people who get the monthly newsletter filled with the latest news, jobs, events and insights from the ELLIS Network.