Prof. Dr. Ignacio Alvarez
Professor for Human-Centered Intelligent Systems
Ready to play an active part in shaping the future of AI?
AI/Computer Science PhD Centre
From autonomous driving and AI-supported medicine to intelligent production processes:
At the Doctoral Centre, we combine computer science, technical systems and human-computer interaction to conduct cutting-edge, application-oriented research.
Interdisciplinary, international teams, outstanding researchers and state-of-the-art laboratories create an environment in which innovation flourishes and scientific progress becomes a reality.
Start your PhD in one of the four research clusters – supervised by our world-class professors:
PhD students
Get to know your future PhD colleagues and gain an insight into their areas of research.
“As part of my PhD, I am conducting research into the targeted development of machine learning models in the field of predictive quality for manufacturing. I appreciate the strong practical focus that THI offers me in this regard – thanks to the close links with industry, I am able to work very closely on real-world problems here. I am in close contact with the professors here; you’re not just one of many. I also really enjoy the sense of community amongst us PhD students.”
Kristina Dachtler
Our ongoing doctoral thesis projects
| Name | Topic | Supervisor | Cluster |
|---|---|---|---|
| Philip-Roman Adam | Transferable and Robust RL with Decision Transformers for Signalized & Unsignalized Transit Priority | Prof. Stefanie Schmidtner & Prof. Alexander Schiendorfer | KI |
| Muhammad Uzair Akmal | A Collaborative Human–AI Agent Methodology Integrating Large Language Models to Detect and Mitigate Data and Concept Drift in Manufacturing Systems | Prof. Daniel Großmann & Prof. Alexander Schiendorfer | KI |
| Mert Alagözlü | Dynamic Vehicle Routing for Waste Disposal Logistics using Constraint Programming and Machine Learning | Prof. Alexander Schiendorfer & Prof. Stefanie Schmidtner | KI |
| Faizan Ali | Hybrid Machine Learning and Ontologies Framework for Industrial Manufacturing | Prof. Jürgen Bock & Prof. Alexander Schiendorfer | KI |
| Saara Asif | Resolution for Class Imbalance in Image Data: Strategies for Effective Mitigation | Prof. Daniel Großmann & Prof. Alexander Schiendorfer | KI |
| Konstantin Bake | Obstacle Avoidance of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles with Reinforcement Learning and LiDAR Data | Prof. Torsten Schön & Prof. Christian Seidel | KI |
| Balahari Vignesh Balu | From Vulnerability Knowledge to Secure Code: A Data-Driven Alignment Strategy for Code-Generation Models | Prof. Munir Georges & Prof. Stefan Kugele | KI |
| Dominik Bayerl | Neural network for binary analysis and its application to embedded software security | Prof. Hans-Joachim Hof & Prof. Munir Georges | KI |
| Julian Blümke | Holistic cybersecurity life cycle of automotive battery management systems: closing the gap between first and second life | Prof. Hans-Joachim Hof & Prof. Christian Facchi | Techn. Informatik |
| Raviteja Boddu | Multi-modality fusion based Intelligent and coordinated rescue of occupants using large language models and data from the vehicle interior monitoring system | Prof. Alessandro Zimmer & Prof. Munir Georges | KI |
| Alexander Bönisch | AI supported Optimization of Fuel Consumption in the Tactical Planning of Industrial Waste Transport | Prof. Stefanie Schmidtner & Prof. Alexander Schiendorfer | KI |
| Vanchha Chandrayan | Cognitive-Aware In-Vehicle Assistance through Multistate Sensing and Reasoning-Enabled Language Models | Prof. Ignazio Alvarez & Prof. Natascha Merat (Institute for Transport Studies, University of Leeds, UK) | KI |
| Kristina Dachtler | Goal-oriented machine learning methods to meet stakeholder requirements in manufacturing use cases | Prof. Alexander Schiendorfer & Prof. Daniel Großmann | KI |
| Anderson de Lima Luiz | Integrating Large Language Models in Human-Machine Interaction Systems for Enhanced Automotive: A Multidisciplinary Approach | Prof. Alessandro Zimmer & Prof. Munir Georges | KI |
| Alexander Fertig | AI-based Detection of Anomalies in Sensor Data for the Validation of Automated Vehicles | Prof. Michael Botsch & Prof. Torsten Schön | KI |
| Kai Hartung | Secure Code Generation with non-suspervised training (Titel Exposé) | Prof. Munir Georges & Prof. Sören Gröttrup | KI |
| Patrizia Heinl | Artificial Intelligence-Related Security of Safety-Critical Systems | Prof. Hans-Joachim Hof & Prof. Christian Facchi | Techn. Informatik |
| Alexander Horn | Prediction of bus travel and dwell times using deep learning | Prof. Stefanie Schmidtner & Prof. Michael Botsch | KI |
| Sibel Hyusmen | KI-System zur Implementierung von Assistenzsystemen in der Fertigungsplanung | Prof. Jürgen Bock & Prof. Daniel Großmann | KI |
| Chidvilas Karpenahalli Ramakrishna | Uncertainty-Aware Criticality in Reinforcement Learning: Enhancing Robustness, Safety and Trust in Autonomous Driving | Prof. Christian Facchi & Prof. Torsten Schön | KI |
| Felix Kawala | GPU Dataflow-Oriented Scheduling and Programming | Prof. Richard Membarth & Prof. Munir Georges | Techn. Informatik |
| Simon Knollmeyer | KI-gestütztes Wissensmanagement in der Produktionsplanung | Prof. Daniel Großmann & Prof. Jürgen Bock | KI |
| Daniel Manfred Georg Kriegl | Scalability and Fault-Tolerance in Distributed Tournament Platforms for Coding Games: Solutions, Challenges and Impact | Prof. Torsten Schön & Prof. Christian Facchi | Techn. Informatik |
| Claudius Laves | Leveraging physical and behavioral properties to enhance Cybersecurity of Automotive Batteries | Prof. Hans-Joachim Hof & Prof. Hans-Georg Schweiger | Techn. Informatik |
| Lukas Stefan Lodes | An Uncertainty-aware Software Architecture for Machine Learning | Prof. Alexander Schiendorfer & Prof. Daniel Großmann | KI |
| Joed Lopes da Silva | Multimodal Sensing and Multi-Task Learning for Advanced Occupant Monitoring Systems | Prof. Alessandro Zimmer & Prof. Munir Georges | KI |
| Jakob Löw | Automated exploration of high level protocols at the example of charging communication | Prof. Hans-Joachim Hof & Prof. Christian Facchi | Techn. Informatik |
| Selvine George Mathias | Effective Anomaly Detection and Localization Techniques in High Pressure Die Casting through Structure-Borne Sound Analysis | Prof. Daniel Großmann & Prof. Alexander Schiendorfer | KI |
| Adithya Mohan | A Path Towards Robust Embodied AI for Autonomous Systems: Leveraging DRL and Adversarial Defenses | Prof. Torsten Schön & Prof. Michael Botsch | KI |
| Laura Neumeier (geb. Dietl) | Enhancing Reinforcement Learning via Neurosymbolic AI in the Context of Vulnerable Road User Trajectory Prediction | Prof. Christian Facchi & Prof. Sören Gröttrup | KI |
| Fazli Faruk Okumus | Risk-Aware Mitigation Strategy Synthesis and Fault Diagnosis for Autonomous Vehicles | Prof. Stefan Kugele & Prof. Christian Facchi | Techn. Informatik |
| Sebastian-Sven Olzem | Reinforcement Learning on Airborne Multi-Agent-System Sensor-Effector Formations for Task Optimization | Prof. Gerhard Elsbacher & Prof. Torsten Schön | KI |
| Alice Rollwagen | Enhancing Human-Automated System Communication with Adaptive Interfaces | Prof. Andreas Riener & Prof. Alessandro Zimmer | Human-Machine-Interaction |
| Emely Rosbach | From Black Box to Blind Spot: Exploring Cognitive Biases in AI-Assisted Medical Decision-Making and the Factors That Shape Them | Prof. Andreas Riener & Prof. Marc Aubreville | Human-Machine-Interaction |
| Carla Roth | Event-based Vision in Autonomous Driving: Simulation, Fusion, and Real-Time Processing | Prof. Torsten Schön & Prof. Martin Ebert | KI |
| Julia Ruttmann | Learnable Fairness and Explainability in Social Combinatorial Optimization | Prof. Alexander Schiendorfer & Prof. Stefanie Schmidtner | KI |
| Thomas Schmidt | Preference-Guided Multi-Objective Deep Reinforcement Learning in Industrial Applications | Prof. Alexander Schiendorfer & Prof. Stefanie Schmidtner | KI |
| Gokul Srinivasagan | Efficient multilingual language modeling for low-resourced devices | Prof. Munir Georges & Prof. Richard Membarth | KI |
| Pauline Steffel | Reinforcement Learning for Autonomous Mobile Robots with Integrated Manipulator in Manufacturing Applications | Prof. Alexander Schiendorfer & Prof. Jürgen Bock | KI |
| Egor Streck | Hochgenaue radarbasierte Positionsbestimmung und Klassifikation von VRUs in der Infrastruktur unter Berücksichtigung der Witterungsbedingungen der Fahrbahn mittels Machine Learning und Mikrodoppler-Effekt | Prof. Gordon Elger & Prof. Christian Endisch | KI |
| Venkatesh Thirugnana Sambandham | Fairness Evaluation and Bias Mitigation in Text-to-Image Generators | Prof. Torsten Schön & Prof. Matthias Uhl | KI |
| Emre Tsaliskan | Kamerabasiertes End-to-End-Netzwerk zur Positions- und Ausrichtungsbestimmung | Prof. Torsten Schön & Prof. Christian Seidel | KI |
| Vishwa Vimukthi Vasu Ashoka | Cross-Layer Anomaly Detection for Securing EV Charging Communication | Prof. Hans-Joachim Hof & Prof. Thomas Hutzelmann | KI |
| Xujun Xie | Enhancing Autonomous Driving in Highway Work Zone Environments Through Generalized Environment Comprehension | Prof. Torsten Schön & Prof. Michael Botsch | KI |
| Wenguang Xu | Towards Runtime- and Energy-Efficient Trajectory Planning Through Cross-Layer Optimization | Prof. Richard Membarth & Prof. Michael Botsch | Techn. Informatik |
Completed doctoral thesis
Verschaffen Sie sich einen Einblick über die bereits abgeschlossenen Dissertationen und entdecken Sie die thematische Vielfalt der Forschungsprojekte am Promotionszentrum KI/Informatik.
| Name | Year | Topic | Primary supervisor | Second supervisor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dr. Simon Knollmeyer | 2026 | KI-gestütztes Wissensmanagement in der Fertigungsplanung | Prof. Dr. Daniel Großmann | Prof. Dr. Jürgen Bock |
| Dr. Mühenad Bilal | 2025 | Entwicklung eines reflexionsmindernden Bildgebungsverfahrens mit homogener Ausleuchtung und konvolutionalen neuronalen Netzen zur Verschleißerkennung und Klassifizierung komplexer, spiegelnder Zerspanungswerkzeuge | Prof. Dr. Daniel Großmann | Prof. Dr. Jürgen Bock |
| Dr. Leonid Koval | 2025 | Methodology for Evaluating and Optimizing Machine Learning Applications in Industrial Production | Prof. Dr. Daniel Großmann | Prof. Dr. Alexander Schiendorfer |
Professors
At the AI/Computer Science Doctoral School, 24 experienced professors with proven research strengths and academic expertise will guide you through your doctorate. Get to know your potential supervisors, who will support you both academically and personally throughout your doctorate.
Prof. Dr. Julia Blasch
Dean of Studies at the Faculty of Sustainable Infrastructure
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Michael Botsch
Scientific director AImotion Bavaria; Programme director and Academic Advisor "Automated Driving and Vehicle Safety" (Master)
Prof. Dr. rer. nat. Martin Ebert
Programme director "Autonomous Vehicle Engineering" (B. Eng.)
Prof. Dr. Gordon Elger
Head of Fraunhofer Application Center "Connected Mobility and Infrastructure"; Research Professor Assembly and Connection Technology
Prof. Dr. techn. Gerhard Elsbacher
Head of TTZ Unmanned Aerial Systems
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Christian Endisch
Head of the Institute for Innovative Mobility (IIMo), Programme director and Academic advisor "Applied Reserach in Engineering Sciences" (Master)
Prof. Dr. rer. nat. Christian Facchi
Research Professor for Embedded and Distributed Systems; Head of THI Doctoral School
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Daniel Großmann
VIce President for Research
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Hans-Joachim Hof
Vice President for Teaching and Students
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Richard Membarth
Research Professor System on a Chip and AI for Edge Computing
Prof. Dr. techn. Priv.-Doz. Andreas Riener
Programme director UXD (B.Sc., M. Sc.), Research professor CARISSMA (automated driving), Head of Human-Computer Interaction Group
Prof. Dr. Stefanie Schmidtner
Sustainable Urban Development and Artificial Intelligence
Prof. Dr. Torsten Schön
Computer Vision for Intelligent Mobility Systems
Prof. Dr. Alessandro Zimmer
Guest professor AImotion Bavaria
Pursuing a doctorate at the Doctoral Centre AI/CS
The AI/Computer Science Doctoral Centre offers you the ideal conditions to advance your research and undertake a quality-assured doctoral programme.
Doctoral degrees
The AI/Computer Science Doctoral Centre awards the academic degrees “Dr. rer. nat.” and “Dr. phil.”.
What to expect
- Access to state-of-the-art laboratories, test facilities and technical infrastructure
- Personalised support from experienced professors with a strong focus on practical applications
- Collaboration with companies and international research partners on real-world problems
- Close networking amongst THI PhD students, with regular meetings and events
A wide range of professional development opportunities
Applying to the Doctoral Centre
Dr Monika Kolpatzik, Managing Director of the Doctoral School, will provide you with personalised advice both before and during the application process.Contact
Discover your research environment
Your PhD project is closely linked to the research institutes at THI. Here, you will conduct interdisciplinary, practice-oriented and scientifically sound research into topics of the future.
Contact person
Management Team
- Prof. Dr Andreas Riener: Academic Director of the Doctoral Centre for AI/Computer Science
- Prof. Dr Alexander Schiendorfer: Deputy Academic Director of the Doctoral Centre AI/Computer Science
- Prof. Christian Facchi: Academic Director of the Doctoral School
- Dr Monika Kolpatzik: Managing Director of the Doctoral School
Doctoral Student Representative
- Julian Blümke: Doctoral Centre for AI/Computer Science