Utrecht University is offering a PhD Position in Parsing and Formal Representation of Geographic Questions. The role focuses on developing innovative methods to translate natural language questions into geo-analytical workflows using NLP and AI.

To be eligible for this PhD position, applicants must hold or be close to completing an MSc degree in Artificial Intelligence, Computational Linguistics, GeoInformatics, Geography, Geoscience, or a related field. They should have experience with natural language processing, language modelling, grammatical models, and question-answering systems.

Utrecht University is one of Europe’s leading research universities, known for its innovative and interdisciplinary approach to education and research located in the Netherlands. Established in 1636, it offers a wide range of programs across humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, and life sciences. The university fosters collaboration across diverse fields and focuses on addressing global challenges through its strategic themes, including sustainability, open societies, life sciences, and youth dynamics.

Application Deadline: 23 September 2025

Brief Description

• University or Organization: Utrecht University

• Department: Department of Human Geography and Spatial Planning, Faculty of Geosciences

• Course Level: PhD

• Award: Gross monthly salary €3,059 – €3,881, plus benefits

• Access Mode: Online

• Number of Awards: 1

• Nationality: Domestic and international

• The award can be taken in: Netherlands

Eligibility

• Eligible Countries: All nationalities are eligible to apply.

• Acceptable Course or Subjects: The scholarship will be awarded in areas related to Artificial Intelligence, Computational Linguistics, GeoInformatics, Geography, or Geosciences offered by Utrecht University.

• Admissible Criteria: To be eligible, applicants must meet the following criteria:

  • Hold (or be near completion of) an MSc degree in AI, Computational Linguistics, GeoInformatics, Geography, Geoscience, or a related field.

  • Have experience with NLP, language modelling, grammatical models, and question-answering systems.

  • Demonstrate strong interest in maps, geographic information, conceptual modelling, and knowledge representation.

  • Possess programming skills in Python and familiarity with NLP libraries (e.g., spaCy, Hugging Face Transformers).

  • Have good English communication skills and an interest in interdisciplinary research.

How to Apply

Applicants should submit their curriculum vitae and a letter of motivation via the official Utrecht University application portal using the ‘Apply Now’ button on the job posting. The application deadline is 23 September 2025. The first round of interviews will take place in October 2025, and the intended starting date is 1 December 2025. For further information, contact Dr. Simon Scheider at [email protected]

Apply Now