Doctoral Researcher (PhD Student) in Generative AI for Physics-based Simulation

Position-ID : 1784

Faculty / Facility :

Computer Science Electrical Eng. & Inform. Techn.

Institute / Facility :

Computer Science Electrical Eng. & Inform. Techn. : IPVS - Institute of Parallel and Distributed Systems

Research Association :

Data-Integrated Simulation Science (SimTech)

Teaching Obligation :

No

Application deadline :

11 / 08 / 2025

Anticipated Start Date :

01 / 01 / 2026

About Us

The Analytic Computing group at the Institute for Artificial Intelligence University of Stuttgart Germany invites applications for a full-time position as a doctoral researcher / PhD studentwithin the Cluster of Excellence SimTech (Stuttgart Center for Simulation Science).The group conducts interdisciplinary research at the intersection of artificial intelligence simulation and knowledge technologies developing methods that combine machine learning with physics-based and symbolic reasoning.

Please visit our website ( to learn more about us and our research.

Your Tasks

You will contribute to the development of novel generative AI methods for the physically realistic simulation of complex nonlinear dynamic systems.

Your main responsibilities include :

Designing training and evaluating physics-aware generative models (e.g. diffusion models state-space models flow-matching or equilibrium models) that respect underlying physical laws.

Incorporating physical symmetries and constraints such as conservation laws invariances or Lie-group equivariances into deep learning architectures.

Using and fine-tuning scientific foundation models pre-trained on large-scale simulations to improve generalization and sample efficiency.

Developing and testing knowledge-driven generative frameworks for inverse or ill-posed problems ensuring consistency with PDE-based or dynamical constraints.

Collaborating closely with team members to integrate theoretical advances with computational experiments and scientific applications.

Your Profile

• You have a strong background in artificial intelligence and machine learning with hands-on experience in generative modeling (e.g. state-space models diffusion models flow-based or energy-based approaches).
• You are proficient in Python and C and familiar with deep learning frameworks such as PyTorch.
• A solid understanding of physics dynamical systems and PDE-based modeling is essential together with a strong interest in integrating physical principles into AI models.
• Experience in scientific computing numerical simulation or foundation models is highly desirable.
• You are motivated to conduct high-quality research at the intersection of AI physics and simulation and to contribute innovative ideas in this emerging field.

Your Benefits

Employment and compensation information

Maximal Funding Period or Duration of Employment : 18 months

Type of Funding : Position as Employee at the University of Stuttgart

Compensation :

Percentage of weekly working hours (usually 39.5h 100%) : 100%

Employment at the cooperation partner :

Location : Stuttgart Campus Vaihingen

If Location other than Stuttgart or additional location(s) : N / A

Contact Details

Contact person : Prof. Steffen Staab

Mail : Phone : 49 0

Website :

Not translated in selected language

Key Skills

Intelligence Community Experience,Python,Spss,Microsoft Word,R,Regression Analysis,Windows,Stata,Microsoft Powerpoint,Research Experience,Data Modeling,Writing Skills

Employment Type : Student

Experience : years

Vacancy : 1