Postdoc on Data Management, Process Science, and Neuro-Symbolic AI for Predictive and Prescriptive Process Analytics

Department of Computer Science at Faculty of Science, University of Copenhagen is looking for a Postdoc with effect from 1st of March 2026, or as soon as possible thereafter. The position is offered as a 3-year fixed term contract.

 

About the research project

You will be working on the Predictive and Prescriptive Process Analytics for Industry 4.0 (P³AI₄) research project. In the project we aim to research and develop a neuro-symbolic approach towards predictive and prescriptive maintenance, applying lessons learned in the field of process mining. The project is a collaboration between two universities, and three industrial partners. For more information regarding the project, please see: [Link to news article or homepage to be inserted? 

 

About us

You will be a member of the Process Modelling and Intelligence (PMI) research group. Our research is grounded in formal methods and business process management technologies, with applications to processes in all their forms, including but not limited to, business, development, and physical processes. Notable contributions by members of the group include the Dynamic Condition Response (DCR) Graphs process notation and seminal work on declarative and hybrid process discovery. More recently there has been a growing focus on topics of explainable, transparent, and accountable AI. The group is a part of the Software, Data, People & Society (SDPS) Section and the Department of Computer Science (DIKU). For more information regarding the section and department please visit:

https://di.ku.dk/english/research/sdps/

https://di.ku.dk/english/

 

Tasks

As a postdoc you will work on techniques and algorithms for participatory data transformation and model refinement, supervised by full professor Thomas Hildebrandt. You will collaborate closely with the academic and industrial project partners in order to: (1) participate in the collection and creation of experimental data, both in the form of event logs and domain models, (2) research and design methods for interactive and participatory data transformation, (3) research and design algorithms for data transformation, automatically generating event logs and streams from various relevant sources for use in predictive analysis, while maintaining traceability between the original data and their use in decision making, and (4) research formal methods for predictive and prescriptive process models, allowing for their analysis, refinement and adaptation by domain experts under formal guarantees such as correctness in reference to regulation and other constraints imposed by the domain.

Your profile

We are looking for a junior researcher who is motivated and committed to working towards the goals of the project. You will be evaluated against the following criteria:

• PhD in computer science: A PhD degree in computer science is required. You may also apply if you can provide a statement from your university that you will receive your degree before the start of employment.
• Experience with topics of relevance to the project: We are looking for candidates with experience in fields relating closely to the tasks described above and the project as a whole. These include, but are not limited to: information retrieval, formal methods, predictive and prescriptive maintenance, process modelling and mining, recommender and decision-support systems, artificial intelligence and machine learning, neuro-symbolic AI, logical-, constraint-, and rule-based reasoning, explainable AI, visual analytics, and data mining.
• Motivation and commitment to work towards the project goals: The position is funded under a set of strict objectives and deadlines. Within these constraints we will fully support you in the development of your personal research profile (see also below), but we strongly recommend that your own interests and ambitions align with the project's goals.

• Ability to work independently: You will closely collaborate with your supervisor, the principal investigator, and other senior researchers, but are also expected to work independently without requiring close day-to-day supervision and to take initiative in calling upon your colleagues when reaching roadblocks.
• Ability to collaborate with colleagues from different backgrounds: You will regularly collaborate with both academic and industrial partners and visit their premises. Experience with academic-industry collaboration or large projects will strengthen your profile for this position.

• Language proficiency and ability to communicate with colleagues: You must be able to communicate fluently in English. Language proficiency documentation is not required. However, if your cover letter was written with the help of generative AI, providing other language credentials is recommended.

 

We strongly encourage anyone interested in the position to apply, regardless of their personal background.  Within our research group we aim to offer a diverse and highly inclusive working environment. Gender, ethnicity, or other personal factors that have no bearing on your professional capacity will not be considered as part of the evaluation. In addition, both the Department of Computer Science and the University of Copenhagen support a significant number of initiatives to foster an inclusive working environment. For more information please visit:

https://di.ku.dk/english/diversity-and-inclusion/

https://about.ku.dk/profile-history/diversity/ 

 

We offer: 

• Career building: The position provides an excellent opportunity to build your academic profile towards a future career as a tenured researcher. There will be many opportunities to publish ground-breaking research in prominent fields as a first author. In addition, we will foster an inclusive research environment within the project, encouraging collaboration among all work packages and the creation of opportunities to contribute to each other's work. If desired, the supervisors will offer regular input on your career trajectory and discuss opportunities to align your activities within the project framework with your personal goals.
• Research focus: The position is project-funded without teaching obligations. However, if you desire to expand your teaching portfolio then many opportunities exist to engage in research-based teaching grounded in your work.
• Excellent research environment: The PMI group is at the forefront of the emerging field of process science and leads in the topics of declarative process modelling and discovery. Accomplishments by our members include the invention of the commercially successful DCR Graphs process notation and regular victories in the process discovery challenge (2021, 2023 – 2025). The SDPS section hosts experts on closely related topics such as run-time monitoring and explainable AI. DIKU regularly ranks as one of the top computer science departments in Europe and hosts many other prestigious research groups working on related topics in AI and ML, including not only technical, but also human-centered perspectives.
• Networking: Your responsibilities will allow you to significantly expand your industrial and academic network through close collaboration with all project partners.
• A three-year fixed-term contract with flexibility on the exact starting date.

 

Terms of employment

The position is covered by the Memorandum on Job Structure for Academic Staff.

Terms of appointment and payment accord to the agreement between the Ministry of Finance and The Danish Confederation of Professional Associations on Academics in the State.

Negotiation for salary supplement is possible.

The application, in English, must be submitted electronically by clicking APPLY NOW below.

 

Please include:

1. Curriculum vitae.
2. Complete publication list.
3. Diplomas (Master and PhD degree or equivalent).
4. A cover letter consisting of two sections—one page summarizing your relevant experience based on the "Your Profile" criteria, and one page outlining your motivation, interests, any specific goals (e.g. a desire to teach, etc), and how you envision your role and personal development throughout the project.
5. Research plan – a description of your research, including your background, ongoing work, personal plans for future work (separate from this advertisement), and reflections on how you will align these with the advertised position.
6. Separate reprints of 3 particularly relevant papers. 
7. Please clearly indicate any parts of your application created using generative AI. Responsible use is allowed if disclosed. If AI was used for your research plan or cover letter, include a brief statement on your ability to communicate in English independently.

 

The deadline for applications is the 15th of December 2025, 23:59 GMT +1.
After the expiry of the deadline for applications, the authorized recruitment manager selects applicants for assessment on the advice of the Interview Committee.

 

You can read about the recruitment process at https://employment.ku.dk/faculty/recruitment-process/.

Interviews are expected to be held in the second half of January.