PhD Positions in Energy Informatics

SDU Center for Energy Informatics, University of Southern Denmark

The SDU Center for Energy Informatics invites applications for several PhD positions within the field of Energy Informatics. The positions are available for a three-year period, and the start date will be agreed with the successful candidates.

The SDU Center for Energy Informatics is a leading interdisciplinary research centre dedicated to advancing digital technologies for the green transition of the energy sector. The centre conducts research at the intersection of energy systems, artificial intelligence, software engineering, and data intensive methods, with a strong focus on real world impact through collaboration with industry, utilities, and public stakeholders.

Research themes

The PhD positions are embedded in ongoing national and international research projects and will focus on one or more of the following themes:

• Artificial intelligence and data driven methods for energy system analysis and control
• Data-driven digital twins for energy systems, buildings, and infrastructure
• Predictive maintenance and condition monitoring of energy related assets
• Integration of heterogeneous and multimodal data sources in energy applications

The exact research topic will be defined jointly with the successful candidate, taking into account project needs, academic background, and research interests.

PhD position and research environment

As a PhD student at the SDU Center for Energy Informatics, you will conduct independent research under the supervision of senior researchers, contribute to high quality scientific publications, and participate actively in a dynamic and collaborative research environment. The position includes opportunities for participation in conferences, journal publications, and close collaboration with industrial and public sector partners.

The PhD programme is structured according to the Danish PhD framework and includes coursework, dissemination activities, and teaching or knowledge dissemination duties corresponding to approximately 840 working hours over the three-year period.

Required qualifications

Applicants are expected to hold a master’s degree in computer science, software engineering, energy engineering, electrical engineering, or a closely related field by the time of enrolment.

The successful candidate should demonstrate the following qualifications and competences:

• A solid academic foundation in data analysis, machine learning, optimisation, system modelling, or related quantitative methods, as acquired through master’s level coursework and project work.
• Familiarity with data driven modelling approaches relevant to energy systems or smart buildings, such as regression, classification, time series analysis, or basic predictive modelling.
• Experience with data handling, including data cleaning, transformation, exploratory analysis, and basic feature engineering.
• Experience with Python or a similar programming language, and basic exposure to scientific computing or machine learning libraries, combined with an interest in developing robust, research oriented software implementations.
• Motivation to learn advanced AI techniques, including multimodal data analysis and the use of modern AI models in energy and industrial contexts, with attention to reliability, interpretability, and responsible use.
• Strong analytical skills, intellectual curiosity, and the ability to work both independently and collaboratively in interdisciplinary research settings.

Contact information

For further information about the PhD positions or the SDU Center for Energy Informatics, please visit
https://www.sdu.dk/en/energyinformatics

Informal enquiries may be directed to

Professor Bo Nørregaard Jørgensen

Head of Center, SDU Center for Energy Informatics

Email | bnj@mmmi.sdu.dk

The SDU Center for Energy Informatics looks forward to receiving applications from highly motivated candidates who wish to contribute to research at the forefront of digitalisation and the green energy transition.

If you experience technical problems, please contact our email support.

Application

Before applying the candidates are advised to read the Faculty information for prospective PhD students and the SDU information on how to apply.

Assessment of candidates is based on the application material, and the application must include:

• Curriculum Vitae.
• Motivated application, phrased as a brief statement of research interests and motivation.
• Master’s and Bachelor’s degree certificates or equivalent, including transcripts of grades (original and an official English translation).
• Two letters of recommendation
• Completed TEK PhD application form for 5+3 applicants. Find the form at the Faculty website.
• Completed TEK PhD form for calculation grade point average. Find the form at the Faculty website.
• An official document describing the grading scheme of the awarding universities (if not Danish).
• Only for applicants from programmes that evaluate thesis/examination project by approved/not approved: An official written assessment of the thesis or dissertation project from the grade giving institution. The statement must clearly state that the candidate has been among the top 30 pct. in the graduation class for the study programme.
• List of publications and maximum 2 examples of relevant publications (in case you have any publications).
• A statement/documentation of other qualifications relevant to the position may also be included.

All documents must be in English and PDF format. CPR number (civil registration number) must be crossed out. All PDF-files must be unlocked, allow binding and may not be password protected.

SUBMISSION GUIDE: Motivated application must be uploaded under ‘Cover letter’ (max. 5 MB), Curriculum Vitae must be uploaded under ‘Resume’ (max 5 MB). All other documents must be uploaded under ‘Miscellaneous documents’ (max 10 files with a maximum 50 MB per file).

The application deadline is March 18, 2026,at 11:59 PM/23:59 (CET/CEST) 

Assessment and selection process

Applications will be assessed by an assessment committee. Shortlisting may be applied, and only shortlisted candidates will receive a written assessment. Read about shortlisting at SDU. Interviews and tests may be part of the overall evaluation.

Read about the Assessment and selection process.

Conditions of enrollment/employment

Appointment as a PhD fellow is a 3-year salaried position, and the monthly gross salary incl. pension is 36.608 DKK. If you have relevant postgraduate experience, you may be placed on a higher salary step.

Applicants must hold a master’s degree (equivalent to a Danish master's degree) at the time of enrollment and employment. Employment is contingent on enrollment approved by the PhD School. Enrollment will be in accordance with Faculty regulations and the Danish Ministerial Order on the PhD Programme at the Universities (PhD order). Employment 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 including the associated circular on the job structure for academic staff at Danish universities and the provisions for PhD fellows as described therein as well as the Protocol on PhD fellows signed by the Danish Ministry of Finance and the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations (AC). Further information about salary and conditions of employment. Persons employed in the position may, based on a specific individual managerial assessment, be exempted from time registration, also known as a “self-organizer”.

The University of Southern Denmark wishes its staff to reflect the surrounding community and therefore encourages everyone, regardless of personal background, to apply for the position. SDU conducts research in critical technologies, which, due to the risk of unwanted knowledge transfer, is subject to a number of security measures. Therefore, based on information from open sources, background checks may be conducted on candidates for the position(s).

Further information for international applicants about entering and working in Denmark. You may also visit WorkinDenmark for additional information.

Further information about The Faculty of Engineering.