PhD position in generative AI and Learning at the Virtual Learning Lab, Department of Psychology, University of Copenhagen

The Virtual Learning Lab at the Department of Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Copenhagen (UCPH), invites applications for a PhD position in using generative AI for learning.

The starting date is August 1st 2026 or soon thereafter .

Introduction
The PhD programme provides PhD students with strong research training which opens a window of opportunity to a variety of careers within the private and public sectors. The programme includes the drafting of a PhD thesis, active participation in research networks, PhD courses, teaching, and other forms of knowledge dissemination. The PhD programme is a three-year full-time study within the framework of the 5+3 study programme.

Duties and responsibilities
The Virtual Learning Lab (VLL) investigates learning with emerging technologies such as generative AI and extended reality. We focus on how, when, why, and for whom these technologies support and are detrimental to learning, and we develop evidence-based knowledge to improve learning effectiveness, instructional design, and classroom integration. More information can be found here:
The VLL is part of the SCOPE section at the Department of Psychology, University of Copenhagen.

This PhD position is linked to the Carlsberg Foundation funded project Generative AI in Education: From Offloading to Cognitive Understanding in Schools (FOCUS).

Qualification requirements

Applicants must have qualifications corresponding to master’s level related to the subject area of the project, e.g. Psychology, or Education. If you have completed your education in Denmark, you must have a master’s degree covered by the collective agreement for academics in the state sector.

If you have completed your education outside of Denmark, you must either have a master’s degree equivalent to a Danish master’s degree (two years) or as minimum a bachelor’s degree equivalent to a Danish bachelor’s degree (three years) and be assessed as having professional qualifications at master's level.

If you have completed your education outside of Denmark, we will obtain an assessment of your education from the Danish Research Agency.

The successful candidate should additionally have:
• Research experience in educational psychology, learning sciences, human–computer interaction, AI in education, extended reality, or closely related fields
• Excellent written and spoken English

Information about the PhD study programme is available on the website of Copenhagen Graduate School of Social Sciences PhD at the Faculty of Social Sciences and on the PhD website of the department

Scholarship in the 5+3 programme 
The 5+3 PhD study programme 
PhD students are paid a salary in accordance with the agreement between the Ministry of Finance and the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations (AC). The PhD student has a work obligation of up to 840 hours over the 3 year period of time without additional pay. The work obligation can include teaching, for instance.  

For more information on the specific requirements of the integrated PhD programmes, please visit this website: Integrated PhD .

Please note assessment of applicants’ qualifications and eligibility for employment and enrolment will only take place after the application deadline.

How to apply
Please submit your application online. To apply, please click on the “Apply now” icon at the bottom of this page. Your application must be written in English, and include the following attachments (with descriptive titles) in either PDF or Word format:

• Cover letter (max. 1 page detailing your motivation and background for applying with the specific PhD project)
• CV
• Diploma and transcripts of records (BSc and MSc)  Please note : If your degree diploma is not available by the application deadline, please include your latest transcript of grades.
• Other information for consideration, e.g., list of publications, documentation of English language qualifications (if any). Please do not include commitments from supervisors, recommendations etc.

Further details on the documents that should accompany your application are available on this website: Admission requirements and application procedures .

Assessment Criteria
The following criteria are used when shortlisting candidates for assessment: 

1. Research qualifications. 

2.  Qualifications and knowledge in relevant disciplines. 

Salary and Terms of Employment
Terms of appointment and salary will be in accordance with an agreement between the Ministry of Finance and The Danish Confederation of Professional Associations (AC). The salary range starts at approximately DKK 31,600( EUR 4,200) + an 18.07 % pension contribution.

The Recruitment Process 
After the application deadline, the Head of Section will consider advice from the appointment committee and then selects applicants for assessment. All applicants will be notified whether they have been shortlisted. The Head of Section will then set up an expert assessment committee to assess the shortlisted applications. The selected applicants will be informed who is serving on the committee. Each shortlisted applicant will be offered the opportunity to comment on the committee’s assessment before the appointment is announced.

Enrolment
It is a prerequisite for employment that successful applicants enrol at the PhD School of the Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Copenhagen.

International Applicant?
The University of Copenhagen offers a broad variety of services for international researchers and accompanying families, including support before and during your relocation and career counselling to expat partners. Please find more information about our services at: For international researchers at the University of Copenhagen .

An Equal Opportunity Workplace
The University of Copenhagen is committed in its pursuit of academic excellence to equality of opportunity and to creating an inclusive working environment and therefore encourages all qualified candidates to apply, regardless of personal background, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability, ethnicity etc. To learn more about our diverse workplace and our participation in the HRS4R HR Excellence in Research, please visit HR Excellence in Research .

Contact Information
We encourage you to first consult our website, where most questions concerning the recruitment process as well as the academic content and structure of the PhD programme are answered:

If you do not find the information you are looking for, you are welcome to contact HR South at Se e-mailadresse på jobportal.ku.dk . Please remember to state the ID number 211-2462/26-2H #2.

The deadline for applications is June 10th at 23:59 CEST .

Any applications or additional material submitted after the deadline will not be considered. However, changes may be made to the submitted application right up until the deadline.