Becoming an AI Researcher:
Practical Advice for Graduate Students

Published by Cambridge University Press, November 2026

Pre-order the Book

The book can now be pre-ordered from Cambridge University Press. A 20% discount code is available, see the Substack announcement.

News

Visit the book's Substack to read articles from the author and subscribe to receive updates about the book.

Follow the author on

About the Book

Becoming an AI Researcher: Practical Advice for Graduate Students is a practical guide for current and aspiring graduate students in artificial intelligence and related fields. It provides advice on navigating the PhD process, conducting research, and preparing for a career in AI.

About the Author

Stefano V. Albrecht is a leading AI researcher and recipient of research fellowships from the Royal Society, Royal Academy of Engineering, and Alexander von Humboldt Foundation. He has advised numerous PhD students and is passionate about mentoring the next generation of AI researchers. He is co-author of the MIT Press textbook Multi-Agent Reinforcement Learning: Foundations and Modern Approaches, which is now widely used in universities.

Citation

Stefano V. Albrecht. Becoming an AI Researcher: Practical Advice for Graduate Students. Cambridge University Press, 2026.

@book{ phd-in-ai,
  author = {Stefano V. Albrecht},
  title = {Becoming an AI Researcher: Practical Advice for Graduate Students},
  publisher = {Cambridge University Press},
  year = {2026},
  url = {https://phd-in-ai.com}
}

Preface
Chapter 1: What is a PhD?
Chapter 2: Finding the Right PhD Position
Chapter 3: Start With the Problem, Not the Method
Chapter 4: Designing Experiments in AI
Chapter 5: Research Integrity and Reproducibility
Chapter 6: Responsible AI Research
Chapter 7: Meetings and Feedback
Chapter 8: Academic Writing
Chapter 9: Using Large Language Models in Your PhD
Chapter 10: Attending Conferences and Presenting Your Work
Chapter 11: The PhD Dissertation and Defense
Chapter 12: Failure, Feeling Stuck, and Moving Forward
Chapter 13: Navigating the PhD: Lessons from PhD Students
Chapter 14: Industry Internships
Chapter 15: Applying for Faculty Jobs
Chapter 16: Career Paths Beyond Academia

Endorsements

"Becoming an AI Researcher has always been a fascinating goal toward which all AI PhD students work. This book is thorough in the presentation of the multiple concrete steps and underlying aspects towards such a goal. The learning from the book, jointly with the inevitably needed enthusiasm, curiosity, and persistence will be of great value to all AI PhD students, especially in these days where AI aims at a ubiquitous impact."
—Manuela M. Veloso, Herbert A. Simon University Professor Emerita, Carnegie Mellon University

"An essential guide for aspiring AI researchers, this book fills an important gap by teaching the practical skills that PhD programs too often leave implicit. I especially appreciated its concrete examples, thoughtful guidance on working with advisors, insightful advice on navigating the use of large language models, reflections from PhD students sharing their own experiences and challenges, and reassuring discussions of feeling stuck—and becoming unstuck."
—David C. Parkes, Professor of Computer Science, Harvard University

"Every PhD student in AI will grapple with questions, such as how to choose the right problem to work on, how to survive peer review, and how to get the most out of attending conferences. This book captures that same practical wisdom and I'll be handing it out to my students."
—Matthew E. Taylor, Professor of Computing Science, University of Alberta and Amii

"This is the guide I wish existed when I started my own PhD in AI: practical, honest, and unafraid to tackle the hard parts, from finding the right problem to surviving peer review to defending your dissertation, while touching on questions students actually face but rarely get real guidance on, like responsible AI research and the use of large language models. In a field moving as fast as AI, it is easier than ever to lose your way, and this book gives students a steady compass for staying grounded and focused throughout their PhD."
—Kristian Kersting, Professor of Computer Science, Technical University of Darmstadt

"A timely guide in the era of AI that revolutionizes doctoral research and training."
—Wen Tong, Chief Technology Officer, Huawei

"The hardest part of becoming an AI researcher is rarely the math—it is about reading critically, choosing problems, experimental design, writing incisively, communication, etc. The author distills years of hard-won judgment into clear, actionable guidance. I honestly wish this book had existed when I started my own career."
—Haobo Fu, Principal Researcher on Agentic AI, Tencent

Becoming an AI Researcher: Practical Advice for Graduate Students