The posting
Department of Mathematical Sciences, Faculty of SCIENCE, University of Copenhagen
Department of Mathematical Sciences (MATH) invites applications for PhD stipends in Statistics and the mathematics of Insurance and Economics.
The start date is ordinarily September 1, 2027, but can be subject to negotiation.
We invite applications for PhD stipends in the following areas, all within the sections of Insurance and Economics and Statistics and Probability Theory:
- Optimal transport and adapted Wasserstein metrics (contact Johannes Wiesel, [email protected])
- Causality and reliable ML at the Copenhagen Causality Lab. Applicants should propose their own angle and argue how it fits the group and wider network, including the Pioneer Centre for AI and SMARTbiomed (see https://sweichwald.de/#research-with-us).
- Other areas within statistics, mathematics-economics, and actuarial science besides those mentioned above (contact PhD coordinator Helle Sørensen, [email protected])
We encourage you to specify preferred project(s) and supervisor(s) in your application.
You are welcome to contact any member of the sections of Insurance and Economics and Statistics and Probability Theory to discuss research projects.
Who are we looking for?
We are looking for candidates with an education in Statistics, Insurance, Economics or nearby fields and with strong mathematical qualifications.
About the department
The department has about 50 permanent scientific staff members, around 60 PhD students and 35 postdocs. It has strong research groups in many areas of mathematics and active PhD, postdoc, and visitors' programs. Our buildings are located in central Copenhagen next to the central park Fælledparken. Our website http://www.math.ku.dk/english provides more information about the department and the research conducted at the department https://www.math.ku.dk/english/research/. We offer creative and stimulating working conditions in a dynamic and international research environment.
You can find more information about the PhD program on the homepage http://www.math.ku.dk/english/programmes/ph.d/.
The PhD programme
Depending on your level of education, you can undertake the PhD programme as either:
Option A: A three year full-time study within the framework of the regular PhD programme (5+3 scheme), if you already have an education equivalent to a relevant Danish master’s degree.
Option B: An up to five year full-time study programme within the framework of the integrated MSc and PhD programme (the 3+5 scheme), if you do not have an education equivalent to a relevant Danish master´s degree – but you have an education equivalent to a Danish bachelors´s degree.
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Option A: Getting into a position on the regular PhD programme
Qualifications needed for the regular programme To be eligible for the regular PhD programme, you must have completed a degree programme, equivalent to a Danish master’s degree (180 ECTS/3 FTE BSc + 120 ECTS/2 FTE MSc) related to the subject area of the project, e.g. [relevant educations]. For information of eligibility of completed programmes, see General assessments for specific countries and Assessment database.
Terms of employment in the regular programme Employment as PhD fellow is full time and for maximum 3 years.
Employment is conditional upon your successful enrolment as a PhD student at the PhD School at the Faculty of Science, University of Copenhagen. This requires submission and acceptance of an application for the specific project formulated by the applicant with the help of the supervisor.
Terms of appointment and payment according to the agreement between the Danish Ministry of Taxation and The Danish Confederation of Professional Associations on Academics in the State. The position is covered by the Protocol on Job Structure.
Option B: Getting into a position on the integrated MSc and PhD programme
Qualifications needed for the integrated MSc and PhD programme
If you do not have an education equivalent to a relevant Danish master´s degree, you might be qualified for the integrated MSc and PhD programme, if you have an education equivalent to a relevant Danish bachelor´s degree. Here you can find out, if that is relevant for you: General assessments for specific countries and Assessment database.
Terms of the integrated programme To be eligible for the integrated scholarship, you are (or are eligible to be) enrolled at one of the faculty’s master programmes. Students on the integrated programme will enroll as PhD students simultaneously with completing their enrollment in this MSc degree programme.
The duration of the integrated programme is up to five years and depends on the amount of credits that you have passed on your MSc programme. For further information about the study programme, please see: www.science.ku.dk/phd, “Study Structures”.
Until the MSc degree is obtained (when exactly two years of the full 3+5 programme remains), the grant will be paid partly in the form of up to 48 state education grant portions (in Danish: “SU-klip”) plus salary for work (teaching, supervision etc.) totalling a workload of 150 working hours per year. A PhD grant portion is currently (2026) DKK 7.426 before tax.
When you have obtained the MSc degree, you will transfer to the salary-earning part of the scholarship for a period of two years. At that point, the terms of employment and payment will be according to the agreement between the Ministry of Finance and The Danish Confederation of Professional Associations on Academics in the State (AC). The position is covered by the Protocol on Job Structure.
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Responsibilities and tasks:
- Complete and pass the MSc education in accordance with the curriculum of the MSc programme (ONLY when you are attending the integrated MSc and PhD programme)
- Carry through an independent research project under supervision
- Complete PhD courses corresponding to approx. 30 ECTS / ½ FTE
- Participate in active research environments, including a stay at another research institution, preferably abroad
- Teach and carry out knowledge dissemination activities
- Write scientific papers aimed at internationally recognized journals
- Write and defend a PhD thesis on the basis of your project
We are looking for candidates with the following qualifications and experience:
- Professional qualifications relevant to the PhD project
- Relevant work experience
- Other relevant professional experience, including publications (if any)
- A curious mind-set with a strong interest in Mathematics and its applications
- Good English skills
Application and Assessment Procedure
Your application including all attachments must be in English and submitted electronically by clicking APPLY NOW below.
Please include:
- Motivated letter of application (max. one page)
- Curriculum vitae including information about your education, experience, publications (if any), language skills and other skills relevant for the position
- Original diplomas for Bachelor or Master and transcript of records in the original language, including an authorized English translation if issued in another language than English or Danish. If not completed, a certified/signed copy of a recent transcript of records or a written statement from the institution or supervisor is accepted.
- Reference letters (if available; letters can be uploaded as part of the application or sent to [email protected] by the reference person).
When you will be affiliated with the University of Copenhagen or otherwise have access to their research, you may be required to undergo a background screening. The purpose is to protect the security and research integrity of the University of Copenhagen.
Application deadline
The deadline for applications is 1 November 2026, 23:59 GMT +1.
We reserve the right not to consider material received after the deadline, and not to consider applications that do not live up to the abovementioned requirements.
The further process After deadline, a number of applicants will be selected for academic assessment (shortlisted) by a committee of unbiased experts. You are notified whether you will be passed for assessment.
An assessment committee will assess the qualifications and experience of the shortlisted applicants with respect to the research area, skills and other requirements. The assessors will conclude whether each applicant is qualified. The assessed applicants will have the opportunity to comment on their assessment. You can read about the recruitment process at http://employment.ku.dk/faculty/recruitment-process/.
Questions For specific information about the PhD fellowships, please contact the people mentioned in the beginning of the call.
General information about PhD study at the Faculty of SCIENCE is available at the PhD School’s website: https://www.science.ku.dk/phd/.
The University of Copenhagen wishes to reflect the surrounding community and invites all regardless of personal background to apply for the position.
