SDU Software Engineering, part of the Maersk Mc-Kinney Moller Institute (MMMI), University of Southern Denmark (SDU), invites applications for a 3-year PhD position within Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence (AI) for Software Engineering (SE). The position is open from October 1, 2025, and the specific start date will be agreed with the successful candidate.

What we offer

Software engineering is vital to Denmark’s digital economy, powering innovation and public services. Yet, Danish organizations face challenges adopting AI effectively, ensuring productivity, sustainability, and trust while reflecting core Danish values such as transparency, collaboration, and human-centered design.

The AI4SE1DK (Human-Centered Adoption of AI for Software Engineering in Denmark) is a national initiative funded by Innovation Fund Denmark, uniting six leading Danish universities and prominent industry partners. From 2025 to 2029, the project aims to bridge the adoption gap by developing AI-driven methods, tools, and practices that center around people rather than technology.

Key goals include:

• Closing the Adoption Gap: Practical guidance for integrating AI into real-world software engineering.
• Ensuring Tailored Trust: Domain-specific AI solutions with robust verification to guarantee reliability.
• National Impact: Reaching at least 10% of Denmark’s software industry through an extensive outreach strategy.
• Consortium partners include:
• Universities: University of Southern Denmark (SDU), Aalborg University in Copenhagen (AAU), University of Copenhagen (UCPH), Aarhus University (AU), IT University of Copenhagen (ITU), and Danish Technical University (DTU).
• Industry: Ericsson, Umbraco, DCR Solutions, Unik System Design, Systematic, Software Improvement Group (SIG), European Spallation Center (ESS), and Alexandra Institute.

This PhD position is part of the subproject “AI Tailoring for Code Generation” and involves our industry partners Umbraco and Unik System Design. The aim is to investigate how foundation models can better support tailored code generation by taking into account companies’ internal standards and codebases as well as developers’ preferences.

What we expect

The candidate will participate in research and teaching activities within the area of software engineering. The position requires a master’s degree in computer science or software engineering and the desired candidate is expected to have knowledge within relevant areas such as generative AI, prompt engineering, coding assistants, and human-centered design.

Furthermore, the successful candidate is expected to have:

• Excellent English proficiency (written and spoken)
• High self-motivation to learn 
• Strong communication skills and readiness to collaborate across academia and industry
• The ability to work independently
• A strong sense of responsibility

Workplace description

The candidate will be integrated into the SDU Software Engineering section and MMMI institute. SDU Software Engineering specializes in effective and efficient methods for high quality and rapid software development of complex and safety-critical systems. We value teamwork, professional diligence, enthusiasm for technology, and the drive to adopt new skills and extended responsibilities. We offer an open, international team with flexible work organization and support for individual development. The group is involved in a variety of national and European projects and features a strong network of academic and industrial partners. We solve challenging research problems from real-world applications and implement novel software solutions together with companies such as Universal Robots, Terma, LEGO, Danfoss, and Novo Nordisk.

The section is based in Odense which, as the 3rd largest city in Denmark, provides the perfect combination of a historic city center with an urban field yet a close proximity to beaches and recreational areas. Its location on the beautiful island of Funen is ideal with easy access by train or highway to the bigger cities of Aarhus and Copenhagen; direct trains can take you straight to Copenhagen airport in less than 2 hours.

Since 1966 the city has been a university town, and strong collaborative ties are in place between the University of Southern Denmark and the many Danish and International corporations in the region. As the birthplace of Hans Christian Andersen, Denmark’s famous fairytale author, the city is home to a vibrant and creative population that hosts numerous festivals and markets throughout the year.

Further information

Please visit us on our website: https://www.sdu.dk/en/forskning/sdusoftwareengineering

Further information about this position is available via email from Associate Professor Thiago Rocha Silva (thiago@mmmi.sdu.dk).

If you experience technical problems, please contact hcm-support@sdu.dk.

Application procedure

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

• Motivated application. 
• Curriculum Vitae.
• Master’s and bachelor’s degree certificates or equivalent, including transcripts of grades (copy of original/official English translation).  
• 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).
• References may be included, you're welcome to use the form for reference letter at the Faculty website.
• A statement/documentation of other qualifications relevant to the position may also be included.

UPLOAD GUIDE: Motivated application shall be uploaded as ‘Cover letter’ (max. 5 MB), Curriculum Vitae shall be uploaded as ‘Resume’ (max 5 MB). All other documents shall be uploaded as ‘Miscellaneous documents’ (max 10 files of max 50 MB per file). 

All documents must be in English and PDF format. CPR number (civil registration no.) must be crossed out. All PDF-files must be unlocked and allow binding and may not be password protected.

The application deadline is July 6, 2025, 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 36.138DKK. If you have relevant postgraduate experience, you may be placed on a higher salary step.

The preferred start date is from October 2025. 

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 with the associated circular on the job structure for academic staff at Danish universities and the provisions for PhD fellows as described herein 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. The person employed in the position may, based on a specific individual managerial evaluation, be exempted from time registration, also known as a “self-organizer”.

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The University of Southern Denmark wishes our 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, are subject to a number of security measures. Therefore, based on information from open sources, background checks may be conducted on candidates for the position.

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.