Artificial intelligence is quickly advancing its frontiers from digital assistants and foundational models to intelligent systems that can sense, reason, and act in the physical world. Whether they are humanoid robots or embodied intelligent agents, the next generation of intelligent systems will need not only to be technically capable but also to comprehend humans and interact socially in the real world. Applications are invited from enthusiastic PhD students to work on laying the foundations for social intelligence in physical AI at ETH Zürich. This is a great chance for research work that involves computer vision, machine learning, robotics, multimodal AI, and human-AI interaction.
Building AI for Future Hybrid Societies
Physical AI is the term for intelligent systems that interact with the world beyond the screen. They might be able to see human movement, comprehend visual and auditory signals, co-inhabit spaces, or collaborate with humans as co-workers.
But object recognition or task execution alone is not enough for effective real-world interaction. Artificial intelligence systems must also be able to understand human behavior, recognize social context, learn from interactions, and respond appropriately to changing situations.
This PhD project aims to develop those skills. The long-term vision is to build standard artificial intelligence systems that can sense, understand, and learn from rich human interactions in physical and virtual environments. Research like this might help establish the foundations of future hybrid societies in which humans and intelligent physical systems will co-exist and collaborate.
PhD Opportunity at ETH Zürich Research Areas
Depending on the successful candidate’s interests and expertise, the PhD research may involve one or more of the following areas:
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Social intelligence for Physical AI
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3D and 4D human and scene understanding
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Multimodal learning and foundation models
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Human behavior understanding
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Social interaction modeling
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Embodied AI
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Human-AI interaction
The project may explore how AI systems can combine multiple forms of information—including visual signals, movement, language, context, and interaction history—to better understand people and their environments.
For instance, a socially intelligent embodied agent may need to detect if people are collaborating, communicating, waiting for help, or moving through a shared environment. It may also need to interpret changing social dynamics over time and adjust its behavior accordingly.
A Collaborative Research Environment
The successful PhD student will work in a collaborative and interdisciplinary research environment at ETH Zürich. The project will be implemented in close collaboration with the ELLIS Institute Finland, combining expertise in computer vision, multimodal AI, robotics, and human–AI interaction.
The position also offers the opportunity to collaborate with leading industrial research laboratories through research visits and internships. It provides an environment in which the candidate can conduct rigorous academic research while at the same time being exposed to practical challenges and emerging applications in real-world artificial intelligence (AI) systems.
This blend of academic collaboration and industrial engagement offers a valuable route for applicants interested in both foundational research and future deployment of embodied intelligent systems.
Who Should Apply for the PhD Opportunity at ETH Zürich?
The opportunity is suited to highly motivated applicants with backgrounds in areas such as:
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Computer vision
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Machine learning
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Robotics
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Artificial intelligence
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Multimodal learning
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Human-computer interaction
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Related technical disciplines
Candidates should be enthusiastic about tackling challenging research problems and interested in building intelligent systems that can engage in meaningful interactions with people and the physical world.
A strong interest in topics such as 3D/4D perception, human behavior understanding, embodied AI, social interaction, or multimodal foundation models would be of particular interest.
Application Details
Position: PhD Student in Social Intelligence for Physical AI
Institution: ETH Zürich
Collaboration: ELLIS Institute Finland
Starting date: Immediately
Applicants should submit:
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A CV
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Academic transcripts
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A one-page research statement
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The names of two referees
Applications can be sent by email to [email protected].
More information is available through the official opportunity announcement.
Shape the Future of Human-AI Collaboration
As AI moves from digital platforms into shared physical and social environments, the ability to understand people will become increasingly important. This PhD position offers the chance to contribute to that transition by developing the scientific foundations of socially intelligent physical AI.
If you are interested in computer vision, robotics, multimodal learning, embodied intelligence, or human–AI interaction, this could be an exciting opportunity to pursue doctoral research at the forefront of AI innovation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the PhD position about?
In the context of PhD research, the topic revolves around the development of social intelligence in physical AI. The goal of the research is the creation of systems capable of perceiving, understanding, and learning from human interactions in the physical as well as virtual worlds.
What is meant by physical AI?
Physical AI denotes intelligent systems capable of perceiving, reasoning about, and interacting with the physical world. It could range from humanoid robots to embodied AI agents and other such systems.
What research topics may be included?
Depending on the candidate’s interests, the research may involve:
-
Social intelligence for Physical AI
-
3D and 4D human and scene understanding
-
Multimodal learning and foundation models
-
Human behavior understanding
-
Social interaction modeling
-
Embodied AI
-
Human–AI interaction
Who is eligible to apply?
This job opening would favor applicants who have a passion for learning, are well motivated, and are from an area such as computer vision, machine learning, robotics, or related disciplines.
Is the project limited to robotics?
No. The research problem includes computer vision, multimodal AI, foundation models, and human behavior and interaction, in addition to being relevant to robotics and embodied intelligence.
Will the research focus on people as well as AI systems?
Yes. The project goal is to enable the AI system to understand human behavior and human interaction. It could be achieved by understanding humans, the environment, movement, communication, and interaction through physical and digital worlds.
Where will the PhD opportunity at ETH Zürich be conducted?
The PhD will be done at ETH Zürich in cooperation with the ELLIS Institute Finland.
Are there opportunities for industry collaboration?
Yes. The successful candidate will have opportunities to collaborate with leading industrial research laboratories through research visits and internships.
When is the expected starting date for the PhD opportunity at ETH Zürich?
The starting date is as soon as possible.
What application materials are required for the PhD opportunity at ETH Zürich?
Applicants should submit:
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A CV
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Academic transcripts
-
A one-page research statement
-
Names of two referees
How can I apply for the PhD opportunity at ETH Zürich?
Applications should be sent to [email protected]. Additional information is available through the official opportunity announcement.
Who should I contact for questions about the PhD opportunity at ETH Zürich?
For application-related questions, prospective applicants can contact the team through the application email: [email protected].
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