PhD Stipends within Distributed, Embedded and Intelligent Systems (DEIS)

PhD Stipends within Distributed, Embedded and Intelligent Systems (DEIS)

At the Technical Faculty of IT and Design, Department of Computer Science, one PhD stipend is available within the Computer Science study program. The stipend is open for appointment from August 1st 2025 or soon thereafter.

The PhD students will be working on topics within the general areas of formal methods, model checking and  machine learning for safe and optimal control of cyber-physical systems.  The projects are expected to be funded by the VILLUM INVESTIGATOR project S4OS (“Scalable analysis and synthesis of safe, secure and optimal strategies for cyber-physical systems”). 

The Department of Computer Science features a broad range of synergistic activities within research and education in the general area of computer science, including curiosity-driven research and targeted research in collaboration with industrial partners, as well as traditional university education, with a unique problem- and project-based focus, and continued education and knowledge dissemination.

Job description

We seek PhD students that will contribute to new generations of scalable, model-based tools for cyber-physical systems based on a mathematical sound foundation, that enables trade-offs between functional safety, security, quantitative performance, and exploitation of modern machine learning technology. It is the overall hypothesis of S4OS that a full integration of model checking and synthesis with machine learning will provide the key to innovative, highly scalable methods for learning, analysis, synthesis and optimization of cyber-physical systems. 

Based on preferences the candidates will work along one (or more) of the following different directions:

• theoretical foundation involving quantitative models (e.g. stochastic, timed weighted, hybrid automata) and logics for behavioural and security properties;
• efficient algorithms for model checking, learning and synthesis;
• improved explainability and safety of machine learning models, e.g. by integrating neural and symbolic modeling paradigms;
• tool implementation and application to complex cyber-physical systems (e.g. transport, water, energy)

Requirements

Applicants must have a master’s degree in computer science or a closely related field. Due to the project’s angle, applicants must have a strong background in one or several of the following areas:  model checking, modeling and specification of quantitative systems, security, games and synthesis, machine learning, logic-oriented artificial intelligence, tool development and implementation, as well as applications of the above to complex systems.

 Outstanding spoken and written communication skills in English are essential.

Application

The application must contain:

You may obtain further information from Professor Kim Guldstrand Larsen, Department of Computer Science, email: kgl@cs.aau.dk concerning the scientific aspects of the stipend.

PhD stipends are allocated to individuals who hold a master’s degree. PhD stipends are normally for a period of 3 years. It is a prerequisite for allocation of the stipend that the candidate will be enrolled as a PhD student at the Technical Doctoral School of IT and Design in accordance with the regulations of Ministerial Order No. 1039 of August 27, 2013 on the PhD Programme at the Universities and Certain Higher Artistic Educational Institutions. According to the Ministerial Order, the progress of the PhD student shall be assessed at regular points in time.

For further information about stipends and salary as well as practical issues concerning the application procedure contact Ms. Annemarie Davidsen, the Doctoral School at The Technical Faculty of IT and Design, email: ada@adm.aau.dk .

Read more about The Technical Doctoral School of IT and Design

Further information  

We recommend that you save a copy of the job posting, as it will be removed once the application deadline has passed.  

The assessment of candidates for the position will be carried out by qualified experts.
Shortlisting will be applied. This means that after the application deadline, the head of the department, with the assistance of the hiring committee, will select the applicants to be assessed. All applicants will be informed whether they have been shortlisted for assessment or not.

The hiring process at Aalborg University may include a risk assessment as a tool to identify potential risks associated with new hires, ensuring the safety, compliance, and integrity of the workplace.

The application is only to be submitted online by using the "Apply online" button below.

AAU wishes to reflect the diversity of society and welcomes applications from all qualified candidates regardless of personal background or belief.

Salary and terms of employment
The employment is in accordance with the Ministerial Order on the Appointment of Academic Staff at Universities (the Appointment Order) and the Ministerial Order on Job Structure for Academic Staff at Universities (in Danish) and protocol on certain terms of employment of academic staff at universities (in Danish) . 

Salary and terms of employment are in accordance with the collective agreement between the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations and the state (AC collective agreement) (in Danish) and protocol on certain terms of employment of academic staff at universities (in Danish) . 

Aalborg University - Knowledge for the world
Aalborg University is an international workplace with more than 3,700 employees. We offer real-world-oriented education and create world-class research results through collaboration between researchers, students, and public and private companies. This is how we achieve insights, new solutions to societal problems, and knowledge that changes the world. Our main campus is in Aalborg, but we also have campuses in Esbjerg and Copenhagen.

Contacts

• Kim Guldstrand Larsen: kgl@cs.aau.dk
• PhD HR, Annemarie Davidsen: ada@adm.aau.dk