Postdoc in Trustworthy AI

Postdoc in Trustworthy AI

Department of Computer Science, Faculty of Science, University of Copenhagen

We are seeking a highly motivated Postdoctoral Researcher to join our cutting-edge project focused on enhancing the reliability of trustworthy AI methods in mental health risk prediction called TRUSTMIND (https://lundbeckfonden.com/news/120-million-dkk-interdisciplinary-brain-research/melanie-ganz-benjaminsen ). The Postdoctoral Researcher will commence 1 August 2025 or as soon as possible hereafter.

Our research
This project, led by Melanie Ganz, aims to address critical challenges in the application of AI to mental health diagnostics, particularly in the context of major depressive disorder (MDD). We aim to develop AI algorithms for MDD screening using diverse mental health datasets, ensuring ethical, transparent, and clinically informed implementation. The postdoc’s duties will include research within trustworthy AI as well as teaching. The post may also include performance of other duties.

Your job
- Develop new MDD risk scoring algorithms to illustrate and address these challenges.

- Develop methods to estimate and mitigate bias in AI-driven mental health diagnostics.

- Collaborate with experts in mental health to ensure clinically relevant validation schemes.

Responsibilities

- Conduct research on algorithmic fairness and transparency in AI.

- Analyze the demographic and cultural dependencies affecting mental health diagnostics.

- Develop and implement methods to mitigate bias in AI algorithms.

- Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams, including experts in AI and mental health.

- Publish research findings in high-impact journals and present at conferences.

Join us in advancing the field of trustworthy AI in mental health and making a meaningful impact on healthcare diagnostics!

Profile
We are looking for a highly motivated and enthusiastic scientist with the following competencies and experience:

Essential experience and skills

- You have a PhD in PhD in Computer Science, Data Science, Statistics, or a related field.

- Strong background in AI, machine learning, and statistical modeling.

- Excellent programming skills (e.g., Python, R), especially have practical programming experience with machine learning models in python.

- Be ambitious and wish to make a difference in how AI is used in society.

- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

- Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a team.

Preferred qualifications:

- Experience with explainable AI (XAI) and algorithmic fairness

- Experience in healthcare AI or mental health research.

- Knowledge of biostatistics or the Danish language is a plus.

Please note, we will have the co-principal investigator of the TRUSTMIND grant, Prof. Aasa Feragen-Hauberg from the Danish technical University, join the appointment committee for this position, since she would act as close collaborator.

Place of employment

The place of employment is at the Department of Computer Science of the University of Copenhagen. The Department of Computer Science is located at Universitetsparken 1, 2100 Copenhagen Ø.

The Department of Computer Science (DIKU) at the University of Copenhagen, established in 1970 by Turing Award laureate Peter Naur, is Denmark's first computer science department and a leading institution in Europe. DIKU's Image Section specializes in image processing, computer vision, and robotics, with research areas including medical image analysis and physics-based animation. We offer opportunities to engage in cutting-edge research within a collaborative and interdisciplinary environment.

Terms of employment
The average weekly working hours are 37 hours per week.

The position is a fixed-term position limited to a period of two years. The start date is 1 August 2025 or after agreement.

Salary, pension and other conditions of employment are set in accordance with the Agreement between the Ministry of Taxation and AC (Danish Confederation of Professional Associations) or other relevant organisation. Currently, the monthly salary starts at 38,700 DKK/approx. 5,100 EUR (April 2025 level). Depending on qualifications, a supplement may be negotiated. The employer will pay an additional 17.1 % to your pension fund.

Foreign and Danish applicants may be eligible for tax reductions, if they hold a PhD degree and have not lived in Denmark the last 10 years.

The position is covered by the Job Structure for Academic Staff at Universities 2020.

Questions
For further information please contact Associate Professor Melanie Ganz-Benjaminsen at ganz@di.ku.dk

Foreign applicants may find this link useful: www.ism.ku.dk (International Staff Mobility).

Application procedure
Your online application must be submitted in English by clicking ‘Apply now’ below. Furthermore, your application must include the following documents/attachments – all in PDF format:

1. Motivated letter of application (max. one page).
2. CV incl. education, work/research experience, language skills and other skills relevant for the position.
3. A certified/signed copy of a) PhD certificate and b) Master of Science certificate. If the PhD is not completed, a written statement from the supervisor will do.
4. List of publications
5. Research plan – description of current and future research plans
6. Copies of three peer-reviewed publications that are particularly relevant to the position (as separate files)

Deadline for applications: 22 April 2025, 23.59pm CET

We reserve the right not to consider material received after the deadline, and not to consider applications that do not live up to the abovementioned requirements.

The further process
After the expiry of the deadline for applications, the authorized recruitment manager selects applicants for assessment on the advice of the hiring committee. All applicants are then immediately notified whether their application has been passed for assessment by an unbiased assessor. Once the assessment work has been completed each applicant has the opportunity to comment on the part of the assessment that relates to the applicant him/herself.

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

The applicant will be assessed according to the Ministerial Order no. 242 of 13 March 2012 on the Appointment of Academic Staff at Universities.

Interviews are expected to be held on 22 and 23 May 2025.

 

The University of Copenhagen wish to reflect the diversity of society and encourage all qualified candidates to apply regardless of personal background.