The CopeNLU Announces Fully Funded PhD & Postdoctoral Research Opportunities for Autumn 2026: Apply Now
The CopeNLU has announced fully funded PhD and postdoctoral research opportunities for Autumn 2026.
The positions are part of a newly funded research project focused on improving the security and reliability of large language models (LLMs).
The project, titled “A Mechanistic Framework for Mitigating the Susceptibility of LLMs to Learning False Information,” is funded by the Independent Research Foundation Denmark and led by researchers Isabelle Augenstein and Pepa Atanasova.
The initiative explores advanced research at the intersection of Natural Language Processing (NLP), Explainable AI, and LLM security.
Fully Funded PhD & Postdoctoral Research: Research Focus of the Project
As large language models continue to shape artificial intelligence systems worldwide, concerns around misinformation, hallucinations, and malicious manipulation have become increasingly important.
This new research project aims to develop:
- Novel theoretical frameworks for LLM security
- Mechanistic interpretability methods
- Advanced evaluation protocols
- Mitigation strategies against false information attacks
The project investigates how LLMs absorb, process, and potentially propagate inaccurate or manipulated information throughout different stages of their lifecycle.
Researchers involved in the project will contribute to improving the transparency, trustworthiness, and resilience of AI systems against misinformation-related vulnerabilities.
Collaboration Opportunities
In addition to working with the project’s principal investigators and research team, selected candidates may also have the opportunity to collaborate academically with NVIDIA through an existing partnership associated with the project.
This collaboration offers valuable exposure to industry-level AI research and advanced computational infrastructure.
Fully Funded PhD Position
The PhD studentship is fully funded for three years and is open to candidates holding a Master’s degree or equivalent qualification in Computer Science or a related discipline.
Research Area
The doctoral research will focus on mechanistic interpretability methods aimed at reducing the impact of false information attacks on large language models.
The work may involve:
- NLP model analysis
- Explainable AI systems
- AI security frameworks
- Deep learning interpretability
- Evaluation of misinformation vulnerabilities in LLMs
Ideal Candidate Profile
The programme is particularly suited for candidates with:
- Academic background in machine learning or natural language processing
- Research experience in AI or NLP
- Strong technical and analytical skills
- Interest in AI safety and interpretability
The selected PhD student will be supervised by Isabelle Augenstein and co-supervised by Pepa Atanasova while collaborating with the broader research team.
PhD Application Deadline
Applications for the PhD position must be submitted by 31 May 2026.
The expected start date is September 2026 or as soon as possible thereafter.
Fully Funded Postdoctoral Position
The project also offers a fully funded three-year postdoctoral research position for candidates who already hold a PhD in Computer Science or another relevant field.
Research Responsibilities
The postdoctoral researcher will investigate how false information affects large language models throughout different phases of their lifecycle.
Research activities include:
- Characterising misinformation patterns in LLMs
- Developing mitigation methods
- Improving robustness against false information attacks
- Advancing explainable AI techniques
- Contributing to AI security research
Preferred Expertise
Ideal applicants should possess prior research or professional experience in areas such as:
- Natural Language Processing
- LLM security
- Explainable AI
- Machine learning
- Computational linguistics
The postdoctoral researcher will work closely with both project leaders and collaborate within the wider research environment.
Postdoc Application Deadline
Applications for the postdoctoral position are also due by 31 May 2026, with a projected start date of September 2026 or shortly thereafter.
Why These Positions Matter
As generative AI systems become increasingly integrated into society, concerns about misinformation, reliability, and AI safety continue to grow. Research focused on mechanistic interpretability and LLM security is becoming critical for ensuring that future AI systems remain transparent, trustworthy, and resistant to manipulation.
These fully funded research positions provide early-career researchers and postdoctoral scholars with an opportunity to contribute directly to one of the most important emerging areas in artificial intelligence research.
The project combines theoretical innovation with practical AI safety applications, positioning researchers at the forefront of modern machine learning and explainable AI development.
International Research Environment
The CopeNLU is known for its work in natural language understanding, machine learning, and responsible AI research. Researchers joining the project will work within an international academic environment focused on cutting-edge AI innovation and interdisciplinary collaboration.
The positions also provide valuable opportunities for networking, advanced research training, and collaboration with leading experts in NLP and AI safety.
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Disclaimer: Global South Opportunities (GSO) is not the organization offering this opportunity. For any inquiries, please contact the official organization directly. Please do not send your applications & CVs to GSO, as we are unable to process them. Due to the high volume of emails, we receive daily, we may not be able to respond to all inquiries. Thank you for your understanding.
