PhD Position in Explainable DeepFake Detection with Foundation Models, University of Twente (EU DEFORM)
Job Description
This PhD position in deepfake detection is at the University of Twente in the Netherlands. You will use foundation models to spot fake videos. The focus is on clashes between what a video shows and what its audio says.
At a glance
- Position: PhD candidate, 4 years, full time (vacancy 2633)
- Where: Data Management and Biometrics group, EEMCS faculty, Enschede, Netherlands
- Project: EU project DEFORM, with 14 partners in 6 countries
- Pay: €3,204 a month in year 1, rising to €4,051 in year 4
- Start: Autumn 2026 (intended)
- Apply: 25 October 2026
About the deepfake detection PhD
- Develop explainable methods that detect manipulated or synthetic images, video and audio
- Build detectors on top of foundation models
- Focus on fake videos, using mismatches between the picture and the sound
- Work with partners in the DEFORM project across Europe
- Support media trust and forensic investigation with your results
Why this role matters
Fake videos are now cheap to make and hard to spot. Courts and newsrooms need detectors that can also explain their decision. This project works on exactly that, with forensic and media partners.
What the University of Twente is looking for
- An MSc in electrical engineering, computer science or a related field
- Skills in computer vision, pattern recognition and AI
- A practical interest in methods built on foundation models
- Good English, and willingness to travel
Pay and location
Pay follows the Dutch university agreement (CAO-NU). The gross monthly salary is €3,204 in the first year and rises to €4,051 in the fourth year. You also get an 8% holiday allowance and an 8.3% year-end bonus. The PhD lasts 4 years, with a qualifying check in the first year.
How to apply
Apply through the official the University of Twente page. The closing date is 25 October 2026. The ad gives two dates. Its summary box says 25 October 2026, and its text says to apply before 26 October 2026. Apply by 25 October to be safe. First interviews are planned for 1 November 2026, with a short technical talk.
See all our PhD positions, or browse more research jobs on ResearchJobs.in.
Hiring institution: University of Twente
Official advertisement: utwentecareers.nl
How to prepare for this application
- Send a cover letter of at most 2 pages, your CV, any publications, at least 2 references, and BSc and MSc transcripts
- Prepare the short technical talk now: one project in vision or audio, its results and what you would change
- Read about audio-visual deepfake detection, such as lip-sync mismatch methods
- Know how vision-language and audio foundation models produce features you could use for detection
- Think about explainability: how would you show a judge why a video was flagged as fake?
About the University of Twente
The University of Twente was founded in 1961 in Enschede. It is a campus university with a strong focus on technology. It hosts the MESA+ Institute for Nanotechnology.
