Fully Funded AI Safety Research Positions at Hasso Plattner Institute 2026: PhD, Postdoctoral and Research Internship Opportunities in Germany
Expressions of interest are open for full-time PhD, postdoctoral, and research internship positions within the AI Safety and Societal Impacts Research Group at the Hasso Plattner Institute in Germany.
Overview
The newly established AI Safety and Societal Impacts Research Group at the Hasso Plattner Institute (HPI) in Potsdam/Berlin, Germany, is accepting expressions of interest for several full-time research positions. Led by Dr. Paul Röttger, the group investigates the risks and benefits associated with the integration of capable artificial intelligence systems into social, political, and economic processes.
The initiative is supported for six years through the German Research Foundation’s Emmy Noether Programme. Available opportunities include a three-year fully funded PhD position, a postdoctoral position lasting one to two years, and a three-to-six-month research internship. All roles require successful candidates to be based in Germany and to work from the office approximately two or three days per week.
Eligibility
Candidates should possess an interdisciplinary background spanning computer science, natural language processing, artificial intelligence evaluation, or the social sciences. Ideal applicants demonstrate intellectual curiosity, a commitment to open research, and a strong interest in understanding both the technical and societal implications of artificial intelligence.
- PhD Position: A three-year fully funded opportunity suited for individuals wishing to pursue doctoral research on AI safety, computational social science, or societal impacts.
- Postdoctoral Research Position: Designed for researchers who have completed or are nearing completion of a PhD in a relevant discipline.
- Research Internship: Full-time, in-person positions lasting three to six months for individuals whose background matches the group's research focus.
How to Apply
Applicants must submit their information using the online expression-of-interest form. The application process requires the following steps:
- Prepare an accessible link to your current CV.
- Provide your nationality, current affiliation, and earliest possible starting date.
- Write concise, original responses to short-answer questions concerning your perspective on AI risks, AI benefits, and a hypothetical three-month research project.
- Submit the form independently without the use of generative AI assistance.
Deadline
There is no fixed closing date. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, and candidates are encouraged to submit early.