Becoming an AI Researcher:
Practical Advice for Graduate Students

By Stefano V. Albrecht

To be published by Cambridge University Press in Q4 2026

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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.

Table of Contents

• 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