One postdoc position

Start date: 01 April 2026
Advertised on: 30 January 2026 / Application deadline: 27 February 2026

The Research Training Group 2853 “Neuroexplicit Models of Language, Vision, and Action” is looking for

One Postdoc - April 2026 or later

Neuroexplicit models combine neural and human-interpretable (“explicit”) models in order to overcome the limitations that each model class has separately. They include neurosymbolic models, which combine neural and symbolic models, but also e.g. combinations of neural and physics-based models. In the RTG, we will improve the state of the art in natural language processing (“Language”), computer vision (“Vision”), and planning and reinforcement learning (“Action”) through the use of neuroexplicit models and investigate the cross-cutting design principles of effective neuroexplicit models (“Foundations”).

The RTG currently funds 24 PhD students and one postdoc, who form a tight-knit, highly international, and interdisciplinary research group. This makes it one of the largest research centers on neuroexplicit or neurosymbolic models in the world. We aim to further strengthen this group by filling a further postdoc position with an excellent young researcher.

The RTG is part of the Saarland Informatics Campus, one of the leading centers for research in computer science, artificial intelligence, and natural language processing in Europe. It brings together researchers at Saarland University, the Max Planck Institute for Informatics, the Max Planck Institute for Software Systems, the CISPA Helmholtz Center for Information Security, and the German Research Center for Artificial Intelligence (DFKI). The Saarland computer science ecosystem consists of over 1500 researchers and 2500 students from 81 countries. Researchers at SIC and CISPA are part of the ELLIS network and have been awarded more than 40 ERC grants.

Please send your application by 27 February 2026 to apply@neuroexplicit.org. Include the reference number W2779. We aim to conduct job interviews in March 2026, ideally in person in Saarbrücken, Germany. Attach a single PDF containing the following materials:

• A CV that describes your education and work history, any particular achievements, and your publications.
• Transcripts of your academic degrees and, if possible, a copy of your MSc and PhD diplomas.
• A research proposal (1-2 pages) that outlines your research interests with respect to the topic of the RTG.
• The names and email addresses of two academic references.

The legally binding version of this job ad is here.

Student Research Assistant

Start date: March 2026 (or later)
Advertised on: Feb 9, 2026 / Application deadline: Feb 18, 2026

The Research Training Group (RTG) 2853 “Neuroexplicit Models of Language, Vision, and Action” is looking for student research assistants (Hiwis). You will work with one of the 25 PhD students and postdocs in the RTG on exciting topics of current research. Depending on the exact topic, your job will involve programming, running experiments, data annotation, or other activities.

Topics You can find a list of all currently available topics in this document.

Application Apply by the deadline specified above by filling out the application form.

All students will be employed under Saarland University’s standard conditions for student assistants (Bachelor students as SHK, Master students as WHK). The number of hours per week depends on the topic and is negotiable.

We will advertise more positions for student assistants in a few months; feel free to apply then if you have to miss the current hiring round.

Note, that you must be a student of Saarland University.

About the RTG Neuroexplicit Models Neuroexplicit models combine neural and human-interpretable (“explicit”) models in order to overcome the limitations that each model class has separately. They include neurosymbolic models, which combine neural and symbolic models, but also e.g. combinations of neural and physics-based models. In the RTG, we will improve the state of the art in natural language processing (“Language”), computer vision (“Vision”), and planning and reinforcement learning (“Action”) through the use of neuroexplicit models and investigate the cross-cutting design principles of effective neuroexplicit models (“Foundations”).

The RTG funds 24 PhD students and one postdoc to do research on neuroexplicit models. It brings together 14 PIs from Saarland University, the Max Planck Institute for Informatics, the Max Planck Institute for Software Systems, the CISPA Helmholtz Center for Information Security, and the German Research Center for Artificial Intelligence (DFKI). We look forward to having you join us!