Ulm University PhD Scholarships 2026 in Explainable Medical AI, Germany
Ulm University in Germany is offering fully funded PhD positions under a structured research training programme focused on Explainable Medical Artificial Intelligence. These doctoral positions aim to develop transparent, ethical, and clinically reliable AI systems for healthcare applications such as diagnostics, predictive medicine, and patient monitoring.
The programme is part of the DFG-funded Research Training Group (KEMAI), which brings together researchers from computer science, medicine, ethics, and data science to work on next-generation medical AI systems.
Scholarship Summary
- Host Country: Germany
- University: Ulm University
- Degree Level: PhD (Doctoral Research)
- Number of Positions: 9 funded PhD positions
- Research Area: Explainable Medical AI, Machine Learning, Healthcare AI, Bioinformatics
- Funding Type: Fully funded research employment (E13 salary scale)
- Duration: 3 years (extendable by 1 year)
- Start Date: January 2027
- Deadline: 31 August 2026
Degree Level
These positions are available for:
- PhD (Doctoral) researchers
- Early-stage research candidates in AI and healthcare
- Interdisciplinary doctoral scholars
Available Subjects
Applicants should have a background in:
- Artificial Intelligence
- Computer Science
- Data Science
- Medical Informatics
- Bioinformatics
- Human Medicine (with computational experience)
- Ethics or Philosophy (with AI interest)
- Related interdisciplinary fields
Research Focus
The KEMAI programme focuses on:
- Explainable AI in medical decision-making
- Transparent machine learning models
- Clinical AI applications in diagnostics and treatment
- Ethical and legal aspects of medical AI
- Integration of AI systems into healthcare workflows
- Interdisciplinary research between medicine and computer science
Benefits
Selected candidates will receive:
- Fully funded PhD employment contract (E13 salary scale)
- Monthly research salary under German public-sector pay system
- Full tuition and research funding coverage
- Health insurance and social security benefits
- Access to advanced AI and medical research facilities
- Interdisciplinary academic training environment
- Opportunity to publish in international journals
- Participation in conferences and collaborative research projects
- Possible contract extension up to 1 additional year
Eligible Nationalities
- Open to international applicants
- No nationality restrictions
- English-speaking environment (German not required but helpful)
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must:
- Hold a Master’s degree in a relevant field
- Demonstrate strong academic and research background
- Show interest in explainable and trustworthy AI systems
- Have experience in machine learning or data analysis (preferred)
- Be capable of interdisciplinary research collaboration
- Provide strong motivation for medical AI research
Preferred qualifications:
- Research experience in AI or healthcare data
- Programming and machine learning skills
- Publications or thesis work in related areas
- Understanding of ethical or clinical AI challenges
Application Procedure
Required Documents
Applicants generally need to submit:
- Updated CV
- Master’s degree certificates and transcripts
- Motivation letter / statement of interest
- Reference letters
- Proof of English proficiency (if required)
- Research-related documents (thesis, publications, portfolio)
Application Process
- Prepare academic and research documents
- Write a strong motivation letter focused on AI in healthcare
- Submit CV and academic transcripts
- Provide recommendation letters
- Highlight research experience and technical skills
- Apply before the official deadline through the university portal
- Shortlisted candidates may be invited for interviews
