About this role
We seek candidates to join the Algorithms Section at the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science and contribute to the development of the new SDU Centre for Computer Science and AI in Vejle.
The starting time is negotiable with a preference for Summer 2027. The application deadline is December 31, 2026 at 23:59 (CEST).
The academic environment
Hired candidates will join the Algorithms Section, which spans SDU’s campuses in Odense and Vejle, and become part of the new SDU Centre for Computer Science and AI. Based at the new campus in Vejle, in the heart of Denmark’s Triangle Region and its strong and developing IT ecosystem, the centre offers an inclusive, international and collaborative environment for research and education in Computer Science and AI. It connects research, teaching and innovation through collaboration across research groups and with companies, public organisations and international partners.
The Centre for Computer Science and AI at SDU Vejle connects fundamental computer science with AI, data and advanced digital systems. Its shared focus is how architectures, AI, data and advanced algorithms can transform the specification, design, development, validation, deployment and operation of digital systems. The research environment is also home to SustainAI , an international research group advancing the design, development, evolution, testing and operation of sustainable, high-quality and AI-enabled software systems.
We encourage applications from researchers who can complement or strengthen the Algorithms Section while building links to the centre’s wider scientific environment in areas such as data analytics, data science and machine learning; optimisation and computational efficiency; programming languages; software engineering and DevOps; AI-driven development and software evolution; and software architectures, cloud-edge computing, and autonomous and agentic systems.
At SDU Vejle, the department is responsible for international BSc and MSc programmes in Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence. The programmes provide a strong setting for research-based teaching, supervision, and student collaboration with researchers and external partners.
Research profile
We seek candidates with a strong research record in efficient algorithms, broadly understood as spanning algorithm design, analysis and implementation as well as complexity theory. Relevant areas include, but are not limited to, approximation algorithms, combinatorial optimisation, cryptology, data structures, fine-grained complexity, experimental algorithmics, and algorithmic research bridging to machine learning and AI.
Scientific excellence is the primary requirement. We particularly welcome candidates in algorithms engineering, optimization, or computational efficiency, whose work combines strong algorithmic foundations with the design, implementation and rigorous evaluation of algorithms for real-world problems.
Each appointment should help create a clear and distinctive identity for the Vejle environment by building critical mass, adding a missing capability, or creating a strong bridge between research areas. Candidates must strengthen at least one core area and connect meaningfully with other parts of the centre through research, education or external collaboration.
Industrial collaboration
Industrial collaboration is a defining theme of the centre. Successful candidates are expected to demonstrate an interest in engaging with companies and public organisations and the potential to contribute to the digital transformation of industry at local, national and international levels. Relevant activities may include collaborative research, industrial PhDs, student collaborations, and experimentation with industrial data and systems.
Qualifications
Successful candidates for a tenure-track assistant professorship must demonstrate a promising research record within the area of the call and some experience with teaching and supervision at BSc or MSc level. They are expected to contribute to research-based teaching, student projects and thesis supervision, including activities that connect students, researchers and external partners.
The Danish tenure-track system provides a focused pathway toward a permanent academic position. Before the end of the sixth year of employment, and contingent upon a positive academic assessment, the Assistant Professor will transition to a tenured Associate Professor position. Read more about SDU’s tenure-track program here .
The evaluation is based on an overall assessment of the candidate's academic achievements and potential. Emphasis will be placed on the ability to develop an independent and internationally recognised research profile, deliver high-quality teaching and supervision, contribute actively to the academic community, and demonstrate the potential to secure competitive external research funding and build an ambitious research programme.
As part of the tenure-track programme, the Assistant Professor is expected to complete SDU's Lecturer Training Programme before the tenure evaluation, unless an equivalent university-level programme has already been completed at another institution.
The evaluation will also consider the candidate's contributions to the strategic and organisational development of the department, including a willingness to engage in academic leadership and administrative responsibilities.
Successful candidates for an associate professorship must have an international profile, a distinguished research record within the area of the call, and a proven ability to attract third-party funding. Demonstrated success in building and leading research teams, and a strong record of developing and leading research, innovation or industry-engaged activities, will be an advantage. Extensive teaching and supervision experience across BSc and MSc levels is expected.
Application
In addition to the documentation required under SDU’s appointment procedures, applicants should describe:
- Possible existing collaboration with industry or public organisations and plans for developing future external partnerships.
- How they would collaborate with existing groups in Vejle, supported by concrete examples of potential research, educational or practical collaboration.
Further information
More information can be found on:
- Algorithms Section: https://algorithms.sdu.dk/
- SustainAI: https://sustainai.sdu.dk/
- Department of Mathematics and Computer Science: https://imada.sdu.dk/
- SDU Vejle Campus: https://www.sdu.dk/en/om-sdu/sdu-campusser/vejle (http://du/sdu-campusser/vejle)
Contact
If you are curious about the positions and the research environment at SDU Vejle and would like to hear more, please contact:
Davide Taibi, LEGO Chair and leader for the SDU Centre for Computer Science and AI
Email: [email protected]
Kim Skak Larsen, Head of the Algorithms Section
Email: [email protected]
Martin Svensson, Head of the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science Email: [email protected]
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 .
Conditions of employment
Appointment as a Tenure Track Assistant Professor is temporary and for an initial x-year period. (up to 6 years) .
During employment, the assistant professor will complete the Lecturer Training Programme .
Appointment to the position will be in accordance with the collective agreement between the Ministry of Finance and the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations for academics in the state with the associated circular on the protocol for the job structure for academic staff at Danish universities and the provisions for assistant professor as described herein. Please check links for more information on salary (only available in Danish) and taxation .
The person employed in the position may, based on a specific individual managerial assessment, be exempted from time registration, also known as a self-organiser
The Danish tenure track employment
The Danish tenure-track employment is a focused assistant professorship with a guaranteed assessment for a permanent position as an associate professor within the tenure-track assistant professor’s field of study.
The head of department will host annual performance- and development reviews, to ensure the progress of the assistant professor’s development towards meeting the qualifications of an associate professorship. A formal midterm evaluation will be conducted by a committee, consisting of the head of the department and two external researchers with relevant qualifications, with the purpose of ensuring the focus of the assistant professor’s activities, as well as to create the basis for the planning of the remaining period.
The transition from assistant professor to associate professor
Within the last year of employment, the tenure-track assistant professor is expected to transition into a position as an associate professor position, based on a positive assessment conducted by a formally approved assessment committee, consisting of a chairman appointed by SDU and minimum one external committee member approved by the dean and the academic council.
Successful applicants to tenure-track assistant professor positions must be scholars with an internationally competitive research profile, whose potential is at the forefront of their discipline. The applicants for tenure-track assistant professorships are assessed based on the criteria of the applicant’s potential to reach an international level of scholarly excellence during the tenure-track period. The candidate will only be promoted to associate professor when the assessment committee confirms that the candidate has scholarly merits at a level of international excellence beyond what can normally be expected for associate professors, with reference to the qualification policy of the research group in which the position is announced.
Indicators of relevant scholarly merits could be documented through scholarly output independent of the PhD supervisor, ground-breaking publications, achievement of excellence grants, and international research network.
The assessment and evaluation process
Shortlisting may be used in the assessment process. Please note that only shortlisted applicants will receive an assessment. Read about shortlisting at SDU .
Applications will be assessed by an assessment committee and the shortlisted applicants will receive the part of the evaluation that concerns them. The committee may request additional information, and if so, it is the responsibility of the applicants to provide the necessary material.
Interviews and tests may be part of the overall evaluation.
The application
Applicants are encouraged to read the information "How to apply" before applying.
To qualify for the position as Tenure Track Assistant Professor you must have obtained a PhD degree by the employment date.
Assessment of the candidates is based on the application material, and the application must include:
- Motivated application
- Curriculum vitae
- Master’s degree and PhD degree or equivalent (copy of original + verfied English translation)
- Documentation of relevant teaching experience
- Research plan, including an account of your own research and preferably a vision for future research
- A complete list of publications
- Most relevant publications. Please attach one pdf-file for each publication. In case of co-authorship, a co-author statement must be submitted as art of the pdf-file
- Reference letters/references may also be included
- A statement of other qualifications relevant to the position.
The application and all appendices must be in English. We request files in pdf-format no more than 5 MB per file. All pdf-files must be unlocked and allow binding and may not be password protected.
Documents should not contain a CPR number (civil registration number) – in this case, the CPR number must be crossed out .
UPLOAD GUIDE: Motivated application shall be uploaded as ‘Cover letter’, Curriculum Vitae shall be uploaded as ‘Resume’. All other documents shall be uploaded as ‘Miscellaneous documents’.
If the application does not meet the requirements mentioned above, the faculty may reject your application without further notice. Applications received after the deadline will neither be considered nor evaluated.
The application deadline is 31 December 2026 at 11.59 PM/23.59 (CET/CEST)
The University of Southern Denmark wishes to reflect the surrounding community and therefore encourages everyone, regardless of personal background, to apply for the position.
About SDU
The University of Southern Denmark was established to create value for and with society. Whether our contributions come in the form of excellent research, innovative solutions, education or learning, we must make a positive difference to society and contribute to a sustainable future. We do this by cultivating talents and creating the best environments for research and learning. It is therefore crucial that SDU retains, develops and recruits talent. At the same time, we need to ensure consistently high quality in all our activities – and we can only do that with the right people. The University’s researchers, lecturers, students, managers and technical/administrative staff are the foundation of our success.