PhD Candidate for Multi-modal foundation models for human centric automative interaction (f/m/d)

Job title:

PhD Candidate for Multi-modal foundation models for human centric automative interaction (f/m/d)

Company:

Volkswagen

Job description

We are CARIAD, the automotive software company of the Volkswagen Group. Our teams build automotive software platforms and digital customer functions for iconic brands like Audi, Volkswagen, and Porsche – supporting the Volkswagen Group in becoming the leading automotive technology company. With CARIDIANS in Germany, the USA, China, Estonia, and India, we are transforming automotive mobility for everyone.Join us and be part of this exciting journey!YOUR TEAMThe aim of our PhD Program is to promote innovative topics that are relevant to CARIAD. We cooperate with top universities and bring new research projects to life. Our PhD candidates get the opportunity to create new innovations in their projects for CARIAD and the respective scientific field. All PhD projects are accompanied by a supervising professor and a dedicated CARIAD mentor. Our PhD candidates further benefit from development programs and a strong academic exchange within the internal PhD network.Our pre-development department creates AI-driven software for advanced infotainment systems and the smart in-cabin environment. We identify, adapt, and build innovative solutions, specifically utilizing the newest AI technologies to make the vehicle interior more intuitive, responsive, and personalized. After conceptualizing, prototyping, and refining, we implement these novel features in test environments to gather practical insights before handing them off to series development for production. PhD work is closely integrated within our team, balancing project needs with the essential freedom for research.WHAT YOU WILL DO

• Develop novel GenAI-based solutions for the future of infotainment systems and in-cabin environment
• Leverage the power of foundation multi-modal models such as visual-language models to transform the user experience
• Built upon the state-of-the-art AI-based architectures to innovate infotainment systems with your ideas
• Work in a team of ambitious and highly motivated experts to come up with innovative concepts and solutions
• Grow small ideas into code and demonstrate their effectiveness in prototype vehicles
• Investigate cutting-edge technologies to bring foundation multi-modal models into embedded environments within prototype vehicles
• Publication of the results in the form of papers at high-quality conferences and journals

WHO YOU ARE

• Master’s degree in Computer Science, Robotics, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Engineering Cybernetics, Mathematics or equivalent
• In depth knowledge in AI and deep learning with very good academic performance
• Excellent programming knowledge and experience in Python and/or C++.
• Experience with common machine learning frameworks such as TensorFlow, PyTorch, Keras, Caffe etc. is an advantage
• High level of commitment, initiative and teamwork. Independent, goal-oriented and systematic way of working make you the ideal candidate
• Proven hands-on experience in real-world projects e.g. from student projects, previous working experience or internships
• Very good English skills in both oral and written form. Initial experience in scientific writing and good German language skills are an advantage
• Experience with user-experience principles and user studies to validate concepts from a user-centric perspective is an advantage
• Experience with cloud-based programming and CI/CD frameworks is an advantage

NICE TO KNOW

• Duration: 3 years
• Working with high-ranked University
• Possibility to supervise students
• Remote work options
• Temporary work from abroad in selected countries
• 30 days paid leave
• Special Events e.g. PhD-Day (Doktorandentag), Trainings
• Note: Please attach a transcript of records including a module overview to your application via the system after you have submitted your application. Otherwise the application cannot be processed
• Important: The PhD admission requirements are set by the university and candidates have to fulfill these requirements before starting their projects. Candidates need a confirmation by the supervisor professor before onboarding (not necessary for application)

If you have further questions about the candidate journey at CARIAD, please contact us: careers@cariad.technologyAt CARIAD, we embrace individuality and diversity because we believe our differences make us stronger. We actively seek to build teams with a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences. Our goal is to create an environment where everyone feels valued and empowered to contribute. If you need assistance with your application due to a disability, please reach out to us at – we are happy to support you.We are CARIAD, the automotive software company of the Volkswagen Group. Our teams build automotive software platforms and digital customer functions for iconic brands like Audi, Volkswagen, and Porsche – supporting the Volkswagen Group in becoming the leading automotive technology company. With CARIDIANS in Germany, the USA, China, Estonia, and India, we are transforming automotive mobility for everyone.Join us and be part of this exciting journey!YOUR TEAMThe aim of our PhD Program is to promote innovative topics that are relevant to CARIAD. We cooperate with top universities and bring new research projects to life. Our PhD candidates get the opportunity to create new innovations in their projects for CARIAD and the respective scientific field. All PhD projects are accompanied by a supervising professor and a dedicated CARIAD mentor. Our PhD candidates further benefit from development programs and a strong academic exchange within the internal PhD network.Our pre-development department creates AI-driven software for advanced infotainment systems and the smart in-cabin environment. We identify, adapt, and build innovative solutions, specifically utilizing the newest AI technologies to make the vehicle interior more intuitive, responsive, and personalized. After conceptualizing, prototyping, and refining, we implement these novel features in test environments to gather practical insights before handing them off to series development for production. PhD work is closely integrated within our team, balancing project needs with the essential freedom for research.WHAT YOU WILL DO

• Develop novel GenAI-based solutions for the future of infotainment systems and in-cabin environment
• Leverage the power of foundation multi-modal models such as visual-language models to transform the user experience
• Built upon the state-of-the-art AI-based architectures to innovate infotainment systems with your ideas
• Work in a team of ambitious and highly motivated experts to come up with innovative concepts and solutions
• Grow small ideas into code and demonstrate their effectiveness in prototype vehicles
• Investigate cutting-edge technologies to bring foundation multi-modal models into embedded environments within prototype vehicles
• Publication of the results in the form of papers at high-quality conferences and journals

WHO YOU ARE

• Master’s degree in Computer Science, Robotics, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Engineering Cybernetics, Mathematics or equivalent
• In depth knowledge in AI and deep learning with very good academic performance
• Excellent programming knowledge and experience in Python and/or C++.
• Experience with common machine learning frameworks such as TensorFlow, PyTorch, Keras, Caffe etc. is an advantage
• High level of commitment, initiative and teamwork. Independent, goal-oriented and systematic way of working make you the ideal candidate
• Proven hands-on experience in real-world projects e.g. from student projects, previous working experience or internships
• Very good English skills in both oral and written form. Initial experience in scientific writing and good German language skills are an advantage
• Experience with user-experience principles and user studies to validate concepts from a user-centric perspective is an advantage
• Experience with cloud-based programming and CI/CD frameworks is an advantage

NICE TO KNOW

• Duration: 3 years
• Working with high-ranked University
• Possibility to supervise students
• Remote work options
• Temporary work from abroad in selected countries
• 30 days paid leave
• Special Events e.g. PhD-Day (Doktorandentag), Trainings
• Note: Please attach a transcript of records including a module overview to your application via the system after you have submitted your application. Otherwise the application cannot be processed
• Important: The PhD admission requirements are set by the university and candidates have to fulfill these requirements before starting their projects. Candidates need a confirmation by the supervisor professor before onboarding (not necessary for application)

If you have further questions about the candidate journey at CARIAD, please contact us: careers@cariad.technologyAt CARIAD, we embrace individuality and diversity because we believe our differences make us stronger. We actively seek to build teams with a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences. Our goal is to create an environment where everyone feels valued and empowered to contribute. If you need assistance with your application due to a disability, please reach out to us at – we are happy to support you.Job ID: 15846Company: CARIAD SELocation:Ingolstadt, DE, 85053 Wolfsburg, DE, 38440 München, DE, 80807 Berlin, DE, 10178Department: Apprenticeship & StudyCareer Level: PhD studentsWorking Model: Full-timeContract Type: Fixed-termRemote Working: By agreementPosting Date: Jun 30, 2025Why CARIAD?We believe that how we work together is just as important as the technology we create. We strive to take action with a can-do attitude, and value speed over perfection. We aim to collaborate with mutual trust, taking accountability for our actions. We foster transparency and welcome diverse perspectives as we learn, adapt, and grow togetherMore informationHR contactDo you have any suggestions or questions? ✉️Legal Notices

Expected salary

Location

Ingolstadt, Bayern

Job date

Tue, 01 Jul 2025 23:18:15 GMT

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