Tenure-track Assistant and Associate Professorships in Algorithms at SDU Vejle

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 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 organizations 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; optimization 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 optimization, 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 organizations 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 recognized 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 organizational 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 organizations 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

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: taibi@imada.sdu.dk

Kim Skak Larsen, Head of the Algorithms Section; Email: kslarsen@imada.sdu.dk

Martin Svensson, Head of the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science Email: svensson@imada.sdu.dk

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 up to 6 years period.

During employment, the assistant professor will complete the Lecturer Training Programme.

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.

To qualify for the position as Tenure Track Assistant Professor you must have obtained a PhD degree by the employment date.

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

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.

Application, salary etc.

Appointment to the position will be in accordance with the salary agreement between the Ministry of Finance and the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations. Please check links for more information on salary (only available in Danish) and taxation.

Salary is determined in accordance with the applicable collective agreement and based on objective and gender-neutral criteria, including the content of the position, responsibilities, and qualification requirements.

As an applicant, you are entitled to information about the starting salary and salary range for the position. This information will be provided during the recruitment process.

SDU does not collect information on applicants’ previous salary.

Applications will be assessed by an expert committee. When the expert committee issues its assessment, the applicants will be sent the portion of the assessment pertaining to them personally.

The application must include:

A curriculum vitae, including information on previous employment with start and end dates

A full list of publications

Copy of PhD diploma

Copies of all publications on which the applicant wishes to be evaluated

A brief survey of the applicant's most important research results and research plans for the next three years

A teaching portfolio (not applicable for the assistant professor position)

Shortlisting may be used in the assessment process. Incomplete applications and applications received after the deadline will neither be considered nor evaluated.

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

An interview may be included as a part of the overall assessment of the applicant’s qualifications.

Applications must be submitted electronically using the link "Apply now". Attached files must be in Adobe PDF format. We strongly recommend that you read How to apply for a position at SDU before you apply.

Since not all members of the appointment committee are Danish-speaking, it is recommended that your application is submitted in English.

The University wishes our staff to reflect the diversity of society and thus welcomes applications from all qualified candidates regardless of personal background.

Further information for international applicants about entering and working in Denmark.

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.