PhD Scholarship in AI Accountability - DTU Compute

Our everyday lives are increasingly influenced by algorithmic products used everywhere from content recommendation and social networks, to education, healthcare, and law enforcement. As the popularity of these systems grows, so does the need for understanding how they work, how they break, and the potential harms they bring to individuals and societies when they do.

Do you want to join our effort to ensure algorithmic transparency and fairness, and to hold companies who operate these systems accountable for any harms and legal violations?

Pioneer centre
This scholarship is funded by the Danish Pioneer Centre for AI’s collaboratory, Networks and Graphs. The Pioneer Centre for AI is located at the University of Copenhagen, with partners at Aarhus University, Aalborg University, the IT University of Copenhagen and The Technical University of Denmark. Centre website: Aicentre.dk .

Responsibilities and qualifications
Depending on your strengths and interests, you could be involved in designing simulations of various algorithmic systems, building new methods for sock-puppet studies of real-world systems with bots, developing data-collection tools, or working with data collected from browsers and smartphones of real humans. In addition to academic development, your work will have the potential for a direct, real-world impact, through collaborations with technical and legal experts in the EU and the US.

Expected education: Master in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Applied Mathematics or equivalent.

We are looking for applicants with:

• Experience in Python
• Experience with statistics and machine learning
• Strong interest in societal implications of technology
• High level of motivation and innovation
• Excellent communication skills in English

Additionally, particularly welcome are applications with experience with any of:

• reverse engineering
• red-teaming, ethical hacking
• mobile app programming
• deep learning and LLMs
• familiarity with EU regulation including DSA, DMA, AI Act, and GDPR

You must have a two-year master's degree (120 ECTS points) or a similar degree with an academic level equivalent to a two-year master's degree.

Approval and Enrolment
The scholarship for the PhD degree is subject to academic approval, and the candidate will be enrolled in one of the general degree programmes at DTU. For information about our enrolment requirements and the general planning of the PhD study programme, please see DTU's rules for the PhD education .

Assessment
The assessment of the applicants will be made by assistant professor Piotr Sapiezynski.

We offer
DTU is a leading technical university globally recognized for the excellence of its research, education, innovation and scientific advice. We offer a rewarding and challenging job in an international environment. We strive for academic excellence in an environment characterized by collegial respect and academic freedom tempered by responsibility.

Salary and appointment terms
The appointment will be based on the collective agreement with the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations. The allowance will be agreed upon with the relevant union.

The period of employment is 3 years. The position is a full-time position. Starting date is in the Autumn 2026 according to mutual agreement.

The workplace is at the DTU Lyngby Campus.

You can read more about career paths at DTU here .

Further information
Further information may be obtained from Assistant Professor Piotr Sapiezynski, Se e-mailadresse på studerendeonline.dk , and Professor Sune Lehmann, Se e-mailadresse på studerendeonline.dk .

You can read more about DTU Compute at .

If you are applying from abroad, you may find useful information on working in Denmark and at DTU at DTU – Moving to Denmark . Furthermore, you have the option of joining our monthly free seminar “ PhD relocation to Denmark and startup “Zoom” seminar ” for all questions regarding the practical matters of moving to Denmark and working as a PhD at DTU.

Application procedure
Your complete online application must be submitted no later than 31 July 2026 (23:59 Danish time) . Applications must be submitted as one PDF file containing all materials to be given consideration. To apply, please open the link "Apply now", fill out the online application form, and attach all your materials in English in one PDF file . The file must include:

• A letter motivating the application (cover letter)
• Curriculum vitae
• Grade transcripts and BSc/MSc diploma (in English) including official description of grading scale
• A description of your involvement in one significant project that showcases your skills and interests
• Contact information for two professional references who are willing to provide letters of recommendation (we will only reach out to them at the final stage of the selection process)

You may apply prior to ob­tai­ning your master's degree but cannot begin before having received it.

Applications received after the deadline will not be considered.

All interested candidates irrespective of age, gender, disability, race, religion or ethnic background are encouraged to apply. As DTU works with research in critical technology, which is subject to special rules for security and export control, open-source background checks may be conducted on qualified candidates for the position.

DTU Compute
DTU Compute – Department of Applied Mathematics and Computer Science – is an internationally recognised academic environment with over 400 employees and 10 research sections. We broadly cover digital technologies within mathematics, data science, computer science, and computer engineering, including artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, internet of things (IoT), chip design, cybersecurity, human-computer interaction, social networks, fairness, and data ethics. Our research is rooted in basic research and centres on mathematical models of the physical and virtual world, as a basis for the analysis, design, and implementation of complex systems. We focus on ensuring that our research results contribute to creating a better society by supporting areas such as health, green transition, energy supply, and life science. We collaborate with universities, public and private organisations, and companies in Denmark and abroad, and through DTU’s startup ecosystem, we encourage innovation and entrepreneurship. We have a strong ethical, human, and sustainable approach that ensures integrity in our work. Therefore, we strive for and take responsibility for driving the democratisation of digital technologies, so that everyone has the opportunity to actively participate in the development, and we ensure a continued open, democratic, and inclusive society for the benefit of all. At DTU Compute, we value diversity, inclusion, and a flexible work-life balance. Read more about us at .

DTU – For the benefit of society since 1829
DTU is one of Europe's leading elite technical universities. Through research and education at an international top level, we create solutions to the major societal challenges of our time and help secure Europe's global leadership in sustainable technological development. Since Hans Christian Ørsted founded DTU almost 200 years ago, our mission has remained the same: We develop and create value through the natural and technical sciences for the benefit of society. DTU has 13,800 students, 1,600 PhD students, and 6,500 employees. We work in an international environment and have an inclusive, stimulating, and informal work culture. DTU has campuses in all parts of Denmark and in Greenland and collaborates with the best universities around the world.

Location
Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark

Apply Before
2026-07-31T21:59:00+00:00