Postdoctoral Researcher in Conversational AI and LLMs at University of St.Gallen, Switzerland

The University of St.Gallen (HSG) is inviting applications for a Postdoctoral Researcher position in Conversational AI and Large Language Models (LLMs) within the School of Computer Science. This role is part of the SNSF-funded CREST-AI project, which integrates NLP, philosophy, and law to develop AI that helps users understand and reason about complex information.

Job Overview

Job Description

The successful candidate will work under the supervision of Prof. Christina Niklaus to shape a new generation of language AI. Key responsibilities include:

• Conducting research on conversational AI and coordinating research activities within the CREST-AI project.
• Developing grounded, adaptive dialogue systems using LLM post-training and reinforcement learning.
• Building and evaluating conversational AI prototypes through simulations and user studies.
• Publishing original research at leading NLP and AI venues (e.g., ACL, EMNLP, NeurIPS) and presenting at international conferences.
• Supervising Master’s and Bachelor’s theses and student projects.
• Supporting research coordination and academic service within the School of Computer Science.

Eligibility & Qualifications

Applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Education: A PhD in Computer Science, Computational Linguistics, or a related field, completed by the start date.
• Experience: Proven research experience in NLP, specifically with large language models, dialogue systems, or natural language generation.
• Technical Skills: Strong Python and machine learning skills; experience with LLM post-training, reinforcement learning, or user studies is highly desirable.
• Publication Record: A record of original contributions to NLP or AI appropriate to the candidate’s career stage.
• Soft Skills: Ability to work independently, take initiative, and collaborate effectively in an interdisciplinary environment (philosophy and law).
• Language: Excellent written and spoken English. Knowledge of German is considered a plus.

How to Apply

Applications must be submitted through the HSG online application portal. Please provide a single PDF containing the following documents:

1. A cover letter.
2. A CV including a full publication list.
3. One representative publication or preprint.
4. Contact details for two referees.
5. A PhD certificate or official confirmation of expected completion.

Last Date for Apply

Review of applications will begin on November 23, 2026, and will continue until the position is filled.

Apply Link

Interested candidates can apply through the official portal: Apply Here