Up to 5 Ph.D. Research Positions Available in:

Process Science with Generative Artificial Intelligence

19/06/2025

As part of establishing a Process Science Research Cluster at the Innovation Value Institute Maynooth University, we offer an exciting opportunity to contribute to a major new research initiative focused on advancing Process Science through intelligent technologies.

The cluster will benefit from an exceptionally inspiring international environment co-lead by Professor Jan vom Brocke – co-founder of the Process Science field and Honorary Distinguished Professor at Maynooth University. The new positions will form a hub in Ireland, closely collaborating with the Process Science group at the University of  Münster in Germany, and the many partners of ERCIS – the European Research Center for Information Systems, and the ERCIS Flow Factory.

As part of this initiative, up to five Ph.D. positions are available in collaboration with Industry Partners (funded, subject to funding approval). These positions are designed with flexibility to address evolving societal and technological challenges and provide the opportunity to engage in foundational research at the intersection of Process Science and Generative AI, particularly Large Language Models (LLMs). The overall goal is to contribute to the development of intelligent, explainable, and human-centred process science technologies.

The research cluster question explores how process science can be enhanced and transformed through the integration of LLMs and generative AI. By combining the structured, data-driven methods of process science with the contextual reasoning and natural language capabilities of LLMs, this work seeks to enable significant innovations in process-oriented methods and tools.

Ph.D. candidates will explore how LLMs can complement and enhance current tools and frameworks in process science in diverse application contexts. Research themes include, but are not limited to:

• Improving the accuracy, relevance, and explainability of discovered process models
• Designing natural language interfaces that enhance user interaction with complex process data
• Developing hybrid methods that integrate domain-specific process knowledge with LLM-generated insights
• Contributing conceptual frameworks, software prototypes, and empirical validation studies

These positions represent more than a conventional Ph.D. opportunity. They offer a platform to contribute to a rapidly evolving research domain, and to be part of a collaborative, interdisciplinary, and internationally connected research community focused on the future of intelligent process systems. The PhD students will be based at IVI, offering a modern and interdisciplinary research environment with many training and career development opportunities.

Position: 

The PhD positions are for 48-month Ph.D. hosted at Maynooth University, a distinctive, research-intensive institution renowned for its interdisciplinary strengths across science, engineering, humanities, and social sciences. Successful candidates will be based at the Innovation Value Institute (IVI), a leading research centre in digital transformation and technology management. IVI offers a modern, world-class, and collaborative research environment with a strong record of industry engagement and international academic partnerships. Subject to funding, the annual four year scholarship offering is €25,000 stipend, €2,000 research expenses plus EU fees. Those will be subject to sufficient research progress.

Requirements and Eligibility:

• Degree (level 8 NFQ – 1st class honours or MSc) in Computer Science, Information Systems, Process Science / Business Process Management, Artificial Intelligence
• Ability to work in interdisciplinary teams
• Self-motivated, output-driven, excellent writing, communication, and presentation skills in English
• Fulfil Maynooth University’s Ph.D. entry and English language requirements
• Experience in at least three of:
  • Business process management or process modelling
  • Process science techniques/tools (e.g., PM4Py, ProM, Celonis)
  • Machine learning or generative AI, particularly NLP
  • Large language models (e.g., GPT, LLaMA)
  • Software development (Python/Java)
  • Data analytics, information system design
  • Design science research approach

Desirable skills:

• Experience with prompt engineering for LLMs
• Report writing
• Industry or non-academic research experience
• Publications in process science or generative AI

How to apply:

To apply, please submit your documents to azra.aryania@mu.ie, including the following information:

• A detailed Curricula Vitae (CV) of maximum 3 pages
• A cover letter describing how you meet the criteria
• Motivation
• Master’s degree transcripts that are validated
• Details of at least two referees
• Two Letters of Recommendation
• Proof of sufficient English language skills
• Previous publications or previous significant work (thesis, final year project, or similar). Links to an online free access repository are sufficient.

Shortlisted applicants may be invited to interview (online or where possible in person).

On receiving an offer, the successful applicant will be required to submit supporting documentation (e.g., Copies of degree certificates and English language competency where required) and apply for the relevant PhD programme at Maynooth University. Any offer is subject to final funding approval, acceptance to the relevant PhD Programme at Maynooth University and if required, timely visa approval.

Application Deadline: There is no specific application deadline, however intend is to fill some of the PhD position for an intake in Sep/October 2025. Therefore it is advisable to submit the application before 31 July 2025; Application will be accepted until all available positions are filled.

Note: Please be informed that the application must be written in English.