Max Planck ETH Center for Learning Systems
A joint research center of ETH Zurich and the Max Planck Society
The Max Planck ETH Center for Learning Systems (CLS) addresses cross-disciplinary research questions in the design and analysis of natural and man-made learning systems. The excellent engineering competences of the faculty and research team members at the ETH Zurich in Switzerland ideally complement the competences in natural sciences and computer science at the Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems, Tübingen/Stuttgart in Germany. Together we have built a lighthouse for machine learning and modern artificial intelligence in Europe.
The cooperation spans all levels, from leading experts at the senior scientist level to junior scientists obtaining their PhD. Over 60 faculty members are engaged at CLS, drawn from professors from ETH Zurich, directors and group leaders from the Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems, Principal Investigators at the ELLIS Institute Tübingen, and selected faculty from external partners. For how to get involved with CLS, see Participation.
At the heart of CLS is its doctoral training program. PhD students profit from joint supervision by ETH Professors and MPI Directors, Group Leaders or PIs at the ELLIS Institute Tübingen, ultimately obtaining their doctoral degree from ETH Zurich. With these unique opportunities, CLS offers young academics in the field of learning systems the chance of outstanding collaborations and exchange early in their careers. Students and young scientists also benefit from summer schools, workshops, and internships. Currently, around 40 PhD researchers are following this route. For application information, see How to Apply.
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The Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems addresses fundamental questions about intelligence and how to create intelligent behavior in machines, with campuses in Stuttgart and Tübingen. Scientists at our Stuttgart site focus on the physical realization of intelligent systems, researching in the fields of robotic materials, haptic intelligence, soft robotics, and bio-inspired robotics. Research at our Tübingen site focuses on theoretical and computational aspects of intelligent systems, covering topics such as machine learning, computer vision, control, and societal aspects of artificial intelligence. Closely connected on the Tübingen campus is the ELLIS Institute Tübingen, a leading center for foundational AI research and CLS Associate Partner.
With its first-class infrastructure and international faculty, ETH Zurich is regularly ranked amongst the very best European Universities. ETH Zurich is also one of the universities in Europe which focuses most intensively on research; doctoral students account for 4,500 out of a total of 25,000 students. Around 40 ETH professors participate in CLS, primarily drawn from the Departments of Computer Science (D-INFK); Information Technology and Electrical Engineering (D-ITET); and Mechanical and Process Engineering (D-MAVT); as well as from the Departments of Mathematics (D-MATH); Materials (D-MATL); Physics (D-PHYS); Civil, Environmental and Geomatic Engineering (D-BAUG); and Health Sciences and Technology (D-HEST).