PhD & Postdoc Program Details
Learn more about the ELLIS PhD & Postdoc Program: the benefits, how to apply, the 3 different tracks of study, co-advising and exchange opportunities, and more.
There is a current call for applications to the ELLIS PhD Program. The application portal opens on October 1st.
Do Your PhD with ELLIS & Shape the Future of AI
➜ Join a global network of 400+ top ML PhD Students in academia and industry
➜ Receive joint supervision from leading European researchers in your field
➜ Get advisor-funded support for research and conference travel
➜ Network with top groups via workshops, summer/winter schools, and events
➜ Tackle high-impact challenges and advance ethical, trustworthy AI made in Europe
➜ Graduate with an ELLIS Certificate and ELLIS Membership
I'm thrilled to be part of the ELLIS PhD program. ELLIS provided the platform to connect with top-tier European labs and secure my PhD position, in which I am using generative AI to reimagine scientific discovery in biomedicine. I'm truly grateful for this opportunity and excited about what the future holds.
PhD Student at MedUni Vienna & CeMM
How to Become an ELLIS PhD Student or Postdoc
Application period is once yearly in autumn
For prospective PhDs only
Apply to multiple potential advisors with a single application
Continuous, year-round recruiting
For PhD students and postdocs already working with an ELLIS Fellow, Scholar or Unit Faculty
Single nomination form
ELLIS is a meta-program; the ELLIS society does not employ nor fund PhD students.
3 Tracks of Study
The ELLIS PhD & Postdoc Program offers three tracks serving your preferred research and career goals. Each track provides the same benefits, networking opportunities, and resources to students but has different requirements for admission and completion.
Academic | Industry | Interdisciplinary | |
|---|---|---|---|
Partners | 2 European academic institutions (e.g. universities) | 1 European academic institution + 1 European company | 2 European academic institutions (e.g. universities) |
Location | Partners must be located in different countries in Europe | Partners can be located in the same European country and/or city | Partners can be located in the same European country, city, and/or university |
Exchange | Min. 6 months at the secondary partner (can be split up in multiple visits) | Min. 6 months at the secondary partner (cumulative) + min. 50% in academia | Time split between main advisor (min. 50%) and secondary advisor (min. 6 months, cumulative) |
For details, explanations and exceptions:
Co-Supervision Requirements
During the ELLIS PhD & Postdoc Program, you'll be co-supervised by leading researchers in Europe in your field of interest.
1 ELLIS fellow/scholar/unit faculty at academic partner
+
1 ELLIS fellow/scholar/unit faculty/member at academic partner
1 ELLIS fellow/scholar/unit faculty at academic partner
+
1 ELLIS fellow/scholar/unit faculty at industry partner
1 ELLIS fellow/scholar at academic partner
+
1 tenured faculty in a field unrelated to AI/ML
All advisors need to be based in Europe. The only exception is through our partnership with CIFAR, so advisors who are a CIFAR Fellow or Canadian AI Chair, their institutions can be located in Canada or at the advisor's location.
For all details, explanations and exceptions:
Hear from ELLIS PhD Students
Additional Activities within the PhD Program
ELLIS offers a wide range of activities, including summer schools and workshops. You can find more details about the upcoming and past activities in the ELLIS network on the events page.
Mobility Funds
Exchanging ideas face-to-face, getting to know new research environments and initiating collaborations are crucial for scientific excellence and innovative research in the cutting-edge field of modern AI.
To foster exchange among scientists in Europe, several projects building on ELLIS support junior and senior researchers with dedicated mobility programs.
