Postdoc i AI-Sikkerhed for Industrielle Robotarme ved IT-Universitetet

Post Doc, Naturvidenskab Og Teknik / AI-sikkerhed / robotteknologi / formelle metoder

The IT University of Copenhagen invites highly motivated individuals to apply for a 19-months Postdoc position starting in February 2026 or soon thereafter**. The position is part of a DIGITAL RESEARCH CENTRE DENMARK (DIREC) supported applied research project “Monitoring and Testing of Uncertainty and Safety for Smart Co-bots”.

We invite applicants who want to contribute to the IT University's vision of creating and sharing knowledge that is profound and leads to ground-breaking information technology and services for the benefit of humanity.

Job description
Many AI models predict results with similar confidence in familiar situations they have been trained on and in new scenarios. This poses a challenge in safety- and performance-critical applications. If AI controls a collaborative robot, the consequences of its decision errors may cause serious damage to the physical world or harm the human operator.

The objective of this position is to design a developer-friendly domain-specific language for testing AI-controlled arms using the property-based testing paradigm and then to develop a runtime monitor of the robot AI system safety, given the specified properties. The project involves collaboration with external partners: the robot conotrol lab at The Maersk Mc-Kinney Moller Institute (SDU, Odense), Universal Robots (the industrial arm vendor), Danfoss and Ropca (case study owners).

Candidate Profile
We seek applicants with a PhD degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or Robotics (and closely related fields) with background and interest in some of the following areas:

• Formal Methods: Semantics of probabilistic programs, probabilistic logics, model-checking and verification, functional programming
• Software Engineering: test automation, property-based testing, functional programming, domain-specific-languages, robot software engineering
• Applied Machine Learning: reinforcement learning, neural representations for controllers, computer vision (as used in robotics)

Hands-on experience with programming robots is valued, but not required. The candidate is expected to be able to conduct independent research and to collaborate effectively in an interdisciplinary environment encompassing expertise in robot software engineering, formal methods, and machine learning.

It is understood that each applicant may meet the requirements to different extents and for different reasons, and will not have experience in all of the above fields.

General information
The IT University of Copenhagen (ITU) is a teaching and research-based university specializing in information technology (IT) and the opportunities it offers. The IT University has more than 160 full-time Faculty members. Research and teaching in information technology span all academic activities which involve computers including computer science, information and media sciences, humanities and social sciences, business impact and the commercialization of IT.

Research Environment
The PhD positions are placed within a highly interactive and interdisciplinary environment of the Software Quality Research Group (square.itu.dk) at the IT University of Copenhagen, Denmark.

The group provides a supportive research environment with expertise spanning both the software aspects of robotics systems, formal methods, and applied Bayesian statistics.

The postdoctoral researcher will collaborate with Prof. Andrzej Wąsowski and Associate Prof. Mahsa Varshosaz. The project includes funds for travel, and opportunities to collaborate with automation industry in Denmark.

Research at the IT University of Copenhagen
Our research is organized through dynamic research groups, centers, hubs, and labs that promote collaboration across disciplines. These units explore complex challenges at the intersection of people, technology, and society, contributing both to fundamental insights and practical solutions. At ITU, we see research as a shared endeavor – open, critically engaged, and rooted in dialogue with academic communities, industry, and the public sector. We actively pursue international partnerships and networks, and our interdisciplinary approach ensures that our research not only advances knowledge but also generates impact beyond academia.

Teaching at the IT University of Copenhagen
ITU currently offers four BSc degrees, six MSc degrees and one professional master’s degree, spanning across these disciplines. ITU's educations are extremely sought after and produces qualified graduates who are in high demand from the job market.

Working at the IT University
Located in modern architecture, a 6-minute metro ride from the center of Copenhagen, the IT University offers an informal working environment, a varied everyday life, and a highly motivated, innovative, skilled, and diverse international faculty, with PhD degrees from more than 20 different countries. The IT University is an equal opportunity employer and prides itself in actively pursuing an improved gender balance among students and among faculty.

Working in Copenhagen
Copenhagen has a solid educational system, a rich cultural life, universal healthcare, good childcare, and well-functioning infrastructure. Copenhagen is consistently ranked among the world’s most livable cities according to the Economist Global Liveability Index. Living and working in Copenhagen will typically be a great experience for you and your family.

Salary and terms of employment
Appointment and salary will be in accordance with the Ministry of Taxation’s agreement with the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations (AC) and job structure for academic staff at universities.

Qualification Requirements
The following qualifications are required:

• PhD degree

Candidates close to graduation are encouraged to apply (having handed in a dissertation will however be a requirement for starting in the announced role).

Application
The application and all other documents ought to be in English and must include:

• A motivated application (cover letter), including a detailed description of your qualifications
• A full CV, including name, address, phone number, e-mail, previous and present employment and academic background
• Documentation of academic degrees (copy of degree certificates etc.)
• A statement of purpose relating applicant’s background to the technical challenges of the project. The document should be short (1-2 pages) and provide evidence of independent thinking, technical insight, novelty and originality in the targeted research field
• Publication list
• Relevant scientific publications or PhD thesis written by the applicant (maximum 3)

Applications without the above-mentioned required documents will not be assessed.

Please read the guidelines for applicants carefully before filling in the application form. You can see the guidelines through this link.

The applicant will be accessed according to the Appointment Order from the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation of 13 March 2012.

The IT University may use shortlisting in connection to the recruitment process. In case of shortlisting, the Chair of the hiring committee selects applicants for assessment in consultation with the hiring committee after the application deadline. All applicants are notified whether their application has been passed for assessment. The shortlisting of candidates for assessment is based on the criteria in the job posting.

Further information
Questions about the positions can be directed to associate prof. Mahsa Varshosaz (christy53pdavismahvkimberly33@itu.dktucker-gregory.dkwhite.dk) or prof. Andrzej Wąsowski (jessica66thompsontoddwasowski@itu.dkho.dkmurray-cunningham.dk). Early contact with our faculty staff is encouraged.
Questions related to the application procedure may be directed to HR, hrnicholas47shanehuber@frank-griffith.dkwilson.dkitu.dkpalmer-holder.dk.

Application procedure
You can only apply for this position through our e-recruitment system. Apply by pressing the button "Apply for position" in the job announcement on our website.

The IT University might upon request in the interview process contact 1-2 references.

Application deadline: 4th December 2025, at 23:59 CET.****

Applications/enclosures received at ITU after the application deadline will not be taken into consideration. If you submit an application, it is your responsibility to ensure that it arrives before the deadline so please allow sufficient time for the upload of publications and other documents.

At The IT University of Copenhagen, we have an international environment and view diversity as a valuable resource. We are committed to ensuring an inclusive working environment for all our employees and encourage all qualified applicants, regardless of age, gender, religious affiliation, or ethnic background to apply for the position.