PhD fellowship in Computational & Mathematical Global Health Group, Dept. of Public Health

Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences
University of Copenhagen

We are offering a PhD fellowship in Health Data Science and AI commencing August 1st 2026 or as soon as possible hereafter.

Our group and research

The Section of Health Data Science and AI actively contributes to advancing health data analysis, with a particular emphasis on computational tools for advanced decision making in policy and the clinic. Our research explores the dynamic interactions among genes, pathogens, the environment, and health throughout the life course and across generations. As a PhD student, you would become a member of The Computational and Mathematical Global Health Group, co-led by Professor Samir Bhatt and Associate Professor David Duchene, located at the Department of Public Health of the University of Copenhagen. We are a world-leading group that focuses on a diverse range of topics. We research at the interface of computer science, mathematics, biology, and epidemiology.

Project Description

The PhD project will focus on evolutionary analysis of large scale genomic and metagenomic data sets using the latest computational tools. In particular, we wish to gain a better understanding of the emergence of microbial novelty at multiple molecular scales making extensive usage of variational autoencoders and other techniques in AI, including advances in genetic and protein evolutionary modelling. Data processing will take place using various methods in bioinformatics and deep learning. The candidate will therefore requires strong background knowledge in evolutionary genomics, protein data analysis, and the use of variational autoencoders for the analysis of genomic data. The primary goal will be to develop advanced models of the emergence of pathogenic novelty in complex microbial environments. To carry out this project the student will work at the interface of epidemiology, parasitology, statistics, mathematics, and bioinformatics.

Principal supervisor is Associate Professor David Duchene, Department of Public Health, David.duchene@sund.ku.dk

Co-supervisor is Professor Samir Bhatt, Department of Public Health, s.bhatt@imperial.ac.uk or samir.bhatt@sund.ku.dk

Start: August 1st 2026

Duration: 3 years as a PhD student

Job description

Your key tasks as a PhD student at SUND are:

• Carry through an independent research project under supervision.
• Complete PhD courses or other equivalent education corresponding to approx. 30 ECTS points.
• Participate in active research environments including a stay at another research team.
• Obtain experience with teaching or other types of dissemination related to your PhD project.
• Teach and disseminate your knowledge.
• Write a PhD thesis on the grounds of your project.

Key criteria for the assessment of applicants

We seek a scientist who is highly motivated and enthusiastic, possessing the following competencies and experience:

• You have a master’s degree in bioinformatics or computer science and have a strong knowledge of probability theory. Please note that your master’s degree must be equivalent to a Danish master’s degree (two years).
• An interest in working in both the fields of mathematics and evolutionary biology.
• Experience in mathematical modelling of biological systems from a theoretical and practical point of view.
• Good programming skills in languages such as Python or R.
• A curious mind-set with a strong interest in both the mathematical and biological sides of the project.
• Previous publications would be considered a plus.
• Excellent language skills in written and spoken English.

Qualifications:
If you have completed your academic education in Denmark, the admission to the PhD programme requires a relevant Master’s degree (equivalent to 180 ECTS BSc + 120 ECTS MSc).

If you have an academic education from abroad, you must have either a degree equivalent to a Danish master's degree (180 ETCS + 120 ECTS MSc), or at a minimum, a bachelor’s degree equivalent to a Danish bachelor's degree (180 ECTS) and be academically qualified at master's level.

As part of the assessment of whether you meet the educational requirements, you must also achieve a positive academic evaluation and be assessed as the best qualified for the position.

Place of employment

The place of employment is at the Department of Public Health, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen. We offer creative and stimulating working conditions in dynamic and international research environment.

Terms of employment

The average weekly working hours are 37 hours per week.

The position is a fixed-term position limited to a period of 3 years. The start date is 1st August 2026.

The employment is conditioned upon the applicant’s success - full enrolment as a PhD student at the Graduate School at the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen. This requires submission and acceptance of an application for the specific project formulated by the applicant.

The PhD study must be completed in accordance with The Ministerial Order on the PhD programme (2013) and the Faculty’s rules on achieving the degree.

Salary, pension, and terms of employment are in accordance with the agreement between the Ministry of Taxation and The Danish Confederation of Professional Associations on Academics in the State. Depending on seniority, the monthly salary starts at approximately 27,800 DKK/Roughly 3,700 EUR (October 2021 level) plus pension.

Questions

For specific information about the PhD fellowship, please contact the principal supervisor.

General information about PhD study at the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences is available at the Graduate School’s website: https://healthsciences.ku.dk/phd/guidelines/

Application procedure

Your application must be submitted electronically by clicking ‘Apply now’ below. The application must include the following documents in PDF format:

1. Motivated letter of application (max. one page)

2. CV incl. education, experience, language skills and other skills relevant for the position

3. Master of Science diploma and transcript of records. If not completed, a certified/signed copy of a recent transcript of records or a written statement from the institution or supervisor will do

4. Publication list (if possible)

Application deadline: 1st May 2026, 23.59pm CET

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 the expiry of the deadline for applications, the authorized recruitment manager selects applicants for assessment on the advice of the hiring committee. All applicants are then immediately notified whether their application has been passed for assessment by an unbiased assessor.

The assessor makes a non-prioritized assessment of the academic qualifications and experience with respect to the above-mentioned area of research, techniques, skills, and other requirements listed in the advertisement. Once the assessment work has been completed each applicant has the opportunity to comment on the part of the assessment that relates to the applicant him/herself.

You can read about the recruitment process at http://employment.ku.dk/faculty/recruitment-process/

The applicant will be assessed according to the Ministerial Order no. 242 of 13 March 2012 on the Appointment of Academic Staff at Universities.

Interviews are expected to be held in week 23.

The Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences comprises approximately 7500 students, 1500 PhD students and 3200 employees. The Faculty advances the field of health sciences through its core activities: research, teaching, knowledge sharing and communication. With basic research fields ranging from molecular studies to studies of society, the Faculty contributes to a healthy future through its graduates, research findings and inventions benefitting patients and the community. The University of Copenhagen wishes to reflect the surrounding community and invites all regardless of personal background to apply for the position.