The posting
Job Description
The Centre for Machine Learning located under the Data Science and Statistics Section of the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science (IMADA) at the University of Southern Denmark invites applications for a paid PhD research fellowship position within the field of probabilistic machine learning to be filled earliest by 1 March 2027 for a period of three years.
The research project will investigate new algorithmic principles that make large populations of learning agents solve open-vocabulary control tasks from sparse reward signals. The expected outcomes are new theoretical insights about the algorithmic roots of autonomous behavior and their representative demonstrations in challenging simulation environments.
IMADA has the unique feature of bringing mathematicians and computer scientists together within a single department to foster theoretically well-backed high-quality data science research. IMADA is home to many ongoing externally funded research projects, as well as to a rich curriculum of data science courses. Data Science and Statistics Group is a synergy platform for the data science experts in IMADA.
We are seeking candidates with strong desire to make significant contributions to science, specific interest in fundamental machine learning research, and an outstanding theoretical background in probabilistic machine learning and reinforcement learning demonstrated by excellent course grades and by scientific publications at major international peer-reviewed venues of core machine learning research. Strong scientific programming skills demonstrated by contributions to public code repositories or released source code from the candidate’s own publications is a big plus. We also expect excellent spoken and written communication skills in English.
The successful candidate will join the vibrant research atmosphere at the SDU Adaptive Intelligence Laboratory and entertain substantial peer support in both technical and social matters. The candidate will contribute to the publication of high-quality research papers at top-tier machine learning venues such as NeurIPS, ICML, AISTATS, together with the other lab members. The candidate will also fulfill teaching assistantship duties.
We will consider the candidates who have a Master’s degree in Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Mathematics, Statistics, or Theoretical Physics at the time of the commencement of employment. Candidates should demonstrate that they have passed at least two Master’s level courses that cover advanced machine learning topics with a grade that corresponds to top 10% success within the native grade scale.
Place of work
The Department of Mathematics and Computer Science is located at the main campus of the University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark. The University of Southern Denmark was founded in 1966 and now has more than 27,000 students, almost 20% of whom are from abroad. It has more than 3,800 employees, and 115 different study programmes in the fields of the humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, health sciences, and engineering. Its main campus is located in Odense, the third largest city in Denmark.
Odense provides family-friendly living conditions with the perfect combination of a historic city centre with an urban feel and yet a close proximity to beaches and recreational areas. Its location on the beautiful island of Funen is ideal with easy access by train or highway to the bigger cities of Aarhus and Copenhagen. As the birthplace of Hans Christian Andersen, Denmark’s famous fairytale author, the city is home to a vibrant and creative population that hosts numerous festivals and markets throughout the year.
We recommend that as an international applicant, you take the time to visit Work in Denmark where you will find information and facts about moving to, working and living in Denmark, as well as the International Staff Office at SDU.
The application deadline is 31 December 2026 at 11.59 PM/23.59 (CET/CEST)
Contact information
For more information about the department and the position, please contact Prof. Melih Kandemir on [email protected].
If you experience technical problems, please contact [email protected].
Application, salary etc.
Appointment as a PhD Research Fellow is for three years. Employment stops automatically at the end of the period.
Further information about the PhD programme at the Faculty of Science can be found at the University’s website.
The successful applicant will be employed in accordance with the agreement on salaried PhD scholars between the Ministry of Finance and AC (the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations). Please check links for more information on salary (only available in Danish) and taxation.
Salary is determined in accordance with the applicable collective agreement and based on objective and gender-neutral criteria, including the content of the position, responsibilities, and qualification requirements.
As an applicant, you are entitled to information about the starting salary and salary range for the position. This information will be provided during the recruitment process.
SDU does not collect information on applicants’ previous salary.
The successful candidate will be enrolled at this university in accordance with faculty regulations and the Danish Ministerial Order on the PhD Programme at the Universities (PhD order).
Further information about the PhD-study can be found at the University’s website.
The University wishes our staff to reflect the diversity of society and thus welcomes applications from all qualified candidates regardless of personal background.
Application must be in English and made in the form of a Declaration of Interest including the following:
- A letter stating your specific interest, motivation, and qualifications for the project in question (max. two pages) .
- Detailed CV, including personal contact information and date entries
- Copies of diplomas, Bachelor as well as Master’s degree, including transcript of notes/grades. OR, if the Master’s degree certificate has not yet been issued, an official confirmation that:
- is issued by the candidate’s thesis supervisor, Head of Studies, or another relevant academic representative at the home university;
- is issued on the university’s official letterhead or sent from an official university email address;
- includes the candidate’s name, study programme, and university;
- confirms that the candidate has fulfilled all requirements for the Master’s degree or is expected to fulfil them no later than xx.xx.xxxx;
- states the expected date of completion of the Master’s degree;
- confirms that the official Master’s degree certificate is expected to be issued following final registration and completion of the university’s administrative procedures.
- The names and complete contact details (phone numbers and e-mail) of at least two referees details for at least 2 referees who can vouch for your skills.
Incomplete applications and applications received after the deadline will neither be considered nor evaluated.
Shortlisting may be used as part of the assessment process, and an interview may be included in the overall evaluation of the applicant’s qualifications.
Applications must be submitted electronically using the link “Apply now”. Attached files must be in Adobe PDF format. We strongly recommend that you read How to apply for a position at SDU before you apply.
Since not all members of the appointment committee are Danish-speaking, it is recommended that your application is submitted in English.
The University wishes our staff to reflect the diversity of society and thus welcomes applications from all qualified candidates regardless of personal background.
Further information for international applicants about entering and working in Denmark can be found on the University’s website.
