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PhD Opportunity: 6 Fully-Funded AI Positions in Smart Mobility at the University of Deusto (Bilbao, Spain)

PhD position

9/26/2026

Want to build the AI behind safer, smarter autonomous vehicles and driving agents? DeustoTech is offering 6 fully-funded PhD grants in Artificial Intelligence applied to Smart Mobility — open to applicants worldwide.

If you've just finished a Master's in AI, computer science, or a related engineering field and want to work at the intersection of machine learning, human behavior, and autonomous systems, this is a rare multi-position call worth a close look.

About the Position

  • Role: PhD Grant in Artificial Intelligence applied to Smart Mobility (6 positions)

  • Host: DeustoTech – Deusto Institute of Technology, University of Deusto, Bilbao, Spain

  • Duration: 48 months (4-year fellowship)

  • Start date: February 2027

  • Location: Full-time, on-site at DeustoTech facilities in Bilbao

  • Eligibility: Open worldwide — no restriction on nationality or country of prior study

Funding

  • Year 1–2: €19,007 gross/year

  • Year 3: €20,364 gross/year

  • Year 4: €25,456 gross/year


Research Topics

1. Cognitive Vision-Language Models for Human-Centric Strategic Behavior and Racecraft Adaptation in Competitive Intelligent Driving Agents
This line explores how vision-language models can capture the strategic, human-like decision-making that goes into competitive driving — think racecraft, adaptation, and the kind of split-second judgment calls that go beyond basic lane-following.

2. Generative AI-Driven Critical Scenario Synthesis via Human-in-the-Loop Cyclist Behavioral Cloning for Autonomous Vehicle Safety Verification
This line focuses on using generative AI and behavioral cloning of real cyclist behavior to synthesize critical test scenarios — a human-in-the-loop approach to stress-testing autonomous vehicle safety before it hits the road.

(Both topics are supervised under the same contact below; additional topics among the 6 positions may be announced separately.)

What They're Looking For

  • A Master's degree in computer science, AI, data science, software engineering, computer engineering, telecommunications engineering, or a related field

  • English proficiency (desired)

  • Spanish is not required

  • Willingness to relocate to Bilbao for full-time, on-site work at DeustoTech


How to Apply

Applications are submitted through the official form — no email application needed for this call.

👉 Apply here

Deadline: October 1st, 2026

Meet the Supervisor

Dr. Arka Ghosh
DeustoTech – Deusto Institute of Technology, University of Deusto
🔗 Google Scholar profile
📧 arka.ghosh@deusto.es

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