Bert Sadowski

Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e) is recruiting a Postdoctoral Researcher for the CLARA project (Collaborative Learning Agent for Regulation with AI), an NRO-funded interdisciplinary initiative on AI agents , large language models , natural language processing , machine learning , and educational technology . The postdoc will be part of the technical core of the project and work closely with a PhD researcher and an interdisciplinary supervisory team. The research focuses on designing, training, fine-tuning, and evaluating an LLM-based social AI agent that can detect socio-cognitive and socio-emotional triggers in collaborative learning and provide timely, context-aware scaffolding in Challenge-Based Learning environments. Key tasks include trigger detection from text, audio, and multimodal interaction data; model training and fine-tuning on educational datasets; development of adaptive scaffolding strategies; classroom implementation and evaluation; responsible AI and fairness auditing; and dissemination through publications and conferences. Eligibility highlights: a PhD in Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, or a closely related technical field; strong technical expertise in LLMs/NLP/ML; Python and ML frameworks such as PyTorch, HuggingFace Transformers, or LangChain; experience with prompt engineering, RAG, agentic AI, responsible AI, and HPC environments; strong English academic communication skills; and the ability to work in an interdisciplinary team. Experience in educational settings, multimodal data, and real-time inference is desirable. Funding and conditions: fixed-term appointment for 30 months at 0.8 FTE (32 hours/week), with salary scale 10 (€4,241–€5,538 gross per month), plus year-end bonus, vacation pay, and additional employment benefits. Application deadline: 17 August 2026. How to apply: review the vacancy details and apply via the linked application page. For questions, contact Prof. dr. Bert Sadowski or Prof. dr. Karolina Doulougeri by email.

Postdoc opportunity in AI-driven adaptive learning systems (CLARA project) at Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e) . This postdoctoral position sits in the interdisciplinary CLARA project, which explores how large language model (LLM)-based AI agents can support collaborative learning in Challenge-Based Learning environments. The postdoc will form the technical core of the consortium and work closely with a PhD candidate and supervisors from engineering and educational research. Research focus: designing, training, and refining an AI social agent that can detect socio-cognitive and socio-emotional triggers in student group work and deliver contextually appropriate scaffolding in real time. The work includes NLP/LLM system design, model fine-tuning, prompt engineering, retrieval-augmented generation (RAG), multimodal and interaction-data analysis, responsible AI, fairness auditing, and deployment of containerized workflows. Academic background: Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, machine learning, NLP, and related technical fields are central. Educational experience is welcome but secondary to strong technical expertise. Eligibility highlights: PhD required; strong Python and ML framework skills (e.g., PyTorch, HuggingFace Transformers, LangChain); experience with agentic AI, HPC/supercomputing, academic writing, and teamwork in interdisciplinary settings. Familiarity with educational data, multimodal streams, and real-time inference is an advantage. Funding and conditions: fixed-term appointment for 30 months at 0.8 FTE (32 hours/week), with salary scale 10 (€4,241–€5,538 gross/month), plus year-end bonus, vacation pay, and several employment benefits. Deadline: 17 August 2026. How to apply: submit your application through the AcademicTransfer portal. Contact Prof. dr. Bert Sadowski or Prof. dr. Karolina Doulougeri for more information.

Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e) is recruiting a postdoctoral researcher for the NRO-funded CLARA project, AI as a Social Agent to Support Group Learning Processes . The position is hosted in the Department of Industrial Engineering & Innovation Sciences (IE&IS) and focuses on designing an LLM-based social agent that can support students’ collaborative learning in Challenge-Based Learning environments. The project sits at the intersection of machine learning, natural language processing, human-computer interaction, and educational research. As the technical core of the CLARA consortium, you will work closely with a PhD candidate and an interdisciplinary supervisory team, while collaborating with partners at the University of Twente and Maastricht University. The role involves designing, training, and iteratively refining an AI agent that can detect socio-cognitive and socio-emotional triggers in group work and deliver contextually appropriate scaffolding in real time. Research tasks include building trigger detection systems for text, audio, and multimodal interaction data; fine-tuning large language models on educational datasets; designing adaptive scaffolding interventions; supporting pilot studies in real CBL classrooms; and conducting responsible AI work such as fairness validation, data governance documentation, and GDPR compliance. The postdoc will also contribute to open science outputs, containerized model workflows, publications, conference presentations, and knowledge transfer activities within the consortium. The post is suited to a technically strong researcher with a PhD in Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, or a closely related field, plus demonstrable experience with LLMs, NLP, machine learning, Python, and modern ML tooling such as PyTorch, HuggingFace Transformers, and LangChain. Experience with fine-tuning, prompt engineering, retrieval-augmented generation, agentic AI, and HPC environments is explicitly requested. Strong English communication skills and the ability to collaborate across engineering, innovation sciences, and educational research are important. Experience with educational data, multimodal signals, and active learning environments is an advantage. Employment is for 2.5 years at 0.8 FTE (32 hours/week), with salary in scale 10 of the Dutch Universities collective agreement: €4,422 to €5,760 gross per month, plus an 8.3% year-end bonus and 8% vacation pay. TU/e also offers training programs, supervision and mentoring, an international research environment, technical infrastructure, support for international staff, and additional benefits such as commuting and home-working allowances. The application deadline is 17 August 2026. Applicants must submit a cover letter, CV including two or three references, one representative publication or code portfolio, and a short technical challenge response. The challenge asks candidates to identify a trigger event from speech-based student-state data and generate a suitable scaffolding response, together with a brief reflection on educational appropriateness and ethical limitations.