Overview

Mission

The key to success in language technologies is to master scalable, robust and efficient semantic processing. Current methods use rich textual and computational linguistic resources for solving tasks in small domains. Developing efficient methods for accurate semantic processing in multiple languages, in general or changing application domains, however, is still a true challenge.

Scalability will be demonstrated by application to new languages and domains and to novel and challenging tasks. We will move from current techniques of approximate semantic processing to more powerful models for natural language understanding and generation.

Advancing automatic semantic processing to human performance levels requires links to related disciplines such as cognitive science, artificial intelligence, or visual processing. We therefore encourage interdisciplinary research. The Semantic Processing programme is offered by Heidelberg University.

Programme Structure

The goal of this graduate program is to extend semantic analysis to the discourse level and to approximate coherence-based interpretation through three mutually supporting research directions: (a) analysing semantic phenomena at the discourse level and representing them as “semantic graphs”; (b) using these graphs to improve semantic analysis; (c) evaluating (a) and (b) in NLP applications.

The proposed PhD topics are integrated into and linked by the three directions. Further ties are ensured by the joint use of text collections (corpora).

Key information

Duration

Full-time
- 36 months

Start dates & application deadlines

Starting 2024-10-14 00:00:00

Apply anytime.

Language

English

TOEFL^® IBT

90

Delivered

On Campus

Disciplines

Language Studies Linguistics View 6 other PhDs in Linguistics in Germany

Academic requirements

We are not aware of any specific GRE, GMAT or GPA grading score requirements for this programme.

English requirements

TOEFL^® IBT

90

Student insurance

Make sure to cover your health, travel, and stay while studying abroad. Even global coverages can miss important items, so make sure your student insurance ticks all the following:

Additional medical costs (i.e. dental)
Repatriation, if something happens to you or your family
Liability
Home contents and baggage
Accidents
Legal aid

We partnered with Aon to provide you with the best affordable student insurance, for a carefree experience away from home.

Get your student insurance now

Starting from €0.53/day, free cancellation any time.

Remember, countries and universities may have specific insurance requirements. To learn more about how student insurance work at Heidelberg University and/or in Germany, please visit Student Insurance Portal.

Other requirements

General requirements

Please consult the Statutes of our Doctoral Program and practical information on PhD scholarships within the graduate program "Semantic Processing" at Heidelberg University.

Tuition Fee

To always see correct tuition fees

International

Free

Tuition Fee

Based on the tuition of 0 EUR per semester during 36 months.
EU/EEA

Free

Tuition Fee

Based on the tuition of 0 EUR per semester during 36 months.

there is no tuition fee but every doctoral candidate must pay a student service fee (151 EUR per semester)

Living costs for Heidelberg

922 - 1397 EUR /month

Living costs

The living costs include the total expenses per month, covering accommodation, public transportation, utilities (electricity, internet), books and groceries.

Funding

In order for us to give you accurate scholarship information, we ask that you please confirm a few details and create an account with us.

Loading

Scholarships Information

Below you will find PhD's scholarship opportunities for Semantic Processing.

Available Scholarships

You are eligible to apply for these scholarships but a selection process will still be applied by the provider.

About