PhD Candidate - Foundation models for automated driving (m/f/d)

We are CARIAD, the automotive software company of the Volkswagen Group.Our teams build automotive software platforms and digital customer functions for iconic brands like Audi, Volkswagen, and Porsche –supporting the Volkswagen Group in becoming the leading automotive technology company. With CARIDIANS in Germany, the USA, China, Estonia, and India, we are transforming automotive mobility for everyone.
Join us and be part of this exciting journey!

YOUR TEAM

The aim of our PhD Program is to promote innovative topics that are relevant to CARIAD. We cooperate with top universities and bring new research projects to life. Our PhD candidates get the opportunity to create new innovations in their projects for CARIAD and the respective scientific field. All PhD projects are accompanied by a supervising professor and a dedicated CARIAD mentor. Our PhD candidates further benefit from development programs and a strong academic exchange within the internal PhD network.

Our pre-development department develops an AI-based software stack for automated driving. We scout, leverage, and develop innovative techniques for improving the entire stack along perception, prediction, and planning. After drafting concepts, prototyping and improving them, we deploy novel solutions onto closed-loop vehicles to gain first-hand experience and transfer them to the series departments to bring them into production. We make sure that the PhD work is embedded into our team’s daily business while at the same time giving ample freedom that is necessary for research work.

WHAT YOU WILL DO

• Develop novel deep learning-based solutions for the future of automated driving
• Leverage the power of foundation models such as visual-language models to solve complex urban automated driving
• Built upon the state-of-the-art AI-based architectures to extend end-to-end automated driving with your ideas
• Work in a team of ambitious and highly motivated experts to come up with innovative concepts and solutions
• Grow small ideas into code and demonstrate their effectiveness in prototype vehicles
• Publication of the results in the form of papers at high-quality conferences and journals

WHO YOU ARE

• Master’s degree in Computer Science, Robotics, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Engineering Cybernetics, Mathematics or equivalent
• In depth knowledge in robotics and deep learning with very good academic performance
• Excellent programming knowledge and experience in Python and/or C++.
• Experience with common machine learning frameworks such as TensorFlow, PyTorch, Keras, Caffe etc. is an advantage
• Very good English skills in both oral and written form. Initial experience in scientific writing is an advantage
• Proven hands-on experience in real-world projects e.g. from student projects, previous working experience or internships
• High level of commitment, initiative and teamwork. Independent, goal-oriented and systematic way of working make you the ideal candidate
• Experience with cloud-based programming and CI/CD frameworks is an advantage

NICE TO KNOW

• Duration: 3 years
• Working with high-ranked University
• Possibility to supervise students
• Remote work options
• Temporary work from abroad in selected countries
• 30 days paid leave
• If you have further questions about the candidate journey at CARIAD, please contact us: careers@cariad.technology

At CARIAD, we value individuality and diversity. We see great strength in our differences and can all benefit from the unique perspectives of others. We strive to employ people with diverse backgrounds who have the expertise, energy and focus to advance our mission. If you're unable to submit an application because of a disability, please contact us at careers@cariad.technology.