A PhD stipend within the AI:EcoNet Lab

AI:X is an ambitious initiative at Aalborg University that aims to advance AI research and create real-world impact through interdisciplinary collaboration, and five labs were initiated in 2025 with a total of 20 PhD stipends.

The AI:EcoNet Lab is part of the AI:X initiative with four PhD stipends and is a collaboration between the Department of Computer Science and the Department of Chemistry and Bioscience.

This stipend is open for appointment from 01.10.2026 (or soon thereafter).The duration of the position is three years.

Job Decription

Species interact in complex biological networks e.g. food webs, forming the foundation of natural ecosystems. Yet, we lack the tools to predict how these networks change in time and space. This is especially critical given the increased pressure from human activities that push species to extinction and potentially disrupts ecosystem functionality.

Our interdisciplinary lab will develop novel Graph Representation Learning models to understand and predict interactions in dynamic ecological networks.

Our lab is looking for candidates for the following stipend:

Learning the Structure and Dynamics of Complex Networks

We seek a PhD candidate to work on representation learning methods on graphs for modeling static and temporal networks, with applications to ecological systems and beyond. The project will focus on advancing scalable approaches to capture how networks evolve over time. We are looking for a highly collaborative candidate to work closely with other members of the AI:EcoNet Lab.

Requirements:

• Master’s degree in computer science, mathematics, statistics, physics or relevant fields.
• Strong background in machine learning, preferably experience in probabilistic modeling, Bayesian machine learning, or graph representation learning.
• Programming skills (e.g., Python) and experience with deep learning frameworks (e.g. PyTorch)
• Interest in applications to ecological or biological networks
• Good analytical and communication skills. Proficiency in written and spoken English is mandatory.

Further information:

You may obtain further information concerning the scientific aspects of the stipend from Assistant Professor Abdulkadir Celikkanat, Department of Computer Science (email: abce@cs.aau.dk).

We expect to conduct interviews for the stipend on August 10 - 21.

Qualification requirements
PhD stipends are allocated to individuals who hold a Master's degree. PhD stipends are normally for a period of 3 years. It is a prerequisite for allocation of the stipend that the candidate will be enrolled as a PhD student at the Technical Doctoral School of IT and Design in accordance with the regulations of Ministerial Order No. 1124 of September 19, 2025 on the PhD Programme at the Universities and Certain Higher Artistic Educational Institutions. According to the Ministerial Order, the progress of the PhD student shall be assessed at regular points in time. As part of the PhD study, you are among other things required to complete PhD courses corresponding to 30 ECTS, gain experience with teaching or other forms of knowledge dissemination and complete an external research stay outside of Aalborg University, preferably 3-6 months at a foreign research institution.

How to apply
Your application must include the following:

•  A letter motivating the application (cover letter) that includes
•  your motivation for pursuing a Ph.D.
•  what you hope to learn during the Ph.D. program
•  your experience and interest in conducting research
•  Curriculum vitae (CV)
•  Grade transcripts and BSc/MSc diploma (in English) including description of grading scale.
•  Contact information for references (we will only reach out to them at the final stage of the selection process)
•  Publication list (if possible)

The application must be submitted via Aalborg University’s recruitment system, which can be accessed under the job advertisement on Aalborg University's website. 

Aalborg University wants to reflect the surrounding society and has diversity as a core value. Therefore, everyone, regardless of personal background and orientation, is encouraged to apply for the position.

Do you have any questions?     
If you have any questions about the position, you are more than welcome to contact us. You will find contact persons at the bottom of the jobpost.
Further information  
Read more about our recruitment process here.

The assessment of candidates for the position will be carried out by qualified experts.
Shortlisting will be applied. This means that after the application deadline, the head of the department, with the assistance of the hiring committee, will select the applicants to be assessed. All applicants will be informed whether they have been shortlisted for assessment or not.

The hiring process at Aalborg University may include a risk assessment as a tool to identify potential risks associated with new hires, ensuring the safety, compliance, and integrity of the workplace.

Read more about The Technical Doctoral School of IT and Design

Salary and terms of employment
The employment is in accordance with the Ministerial Order on the Appointment of Academic Staff at Universities (the Appointment Order) and the Ministerial Order on Job Structure for Academic Staff at Universities (in Danish).

Salary and terms of employment are in accordance with the collective agreement between the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations and the state (AC collective agreement) (in Danish) 

There is a mutual probationary period of 3 months for the position.

Aalborg University - Knowledge for the world
Aalborg University is an international workplace with more than 3,700 employees. We offer real-world-oriented education and create world-class research results through collaboration between researchers, students, and public and private companies. This is how we achieve insights, new solutions to societal problems, and knowledge that changes the world. Our main campus is in Aalborg, but we also have campuses in Esbjerg and Copenhagen.

Contacts

• Assistant professor Abdulkadir Celikkanat: abce@cs.aau.dk

Employment type

Full time

Ref number

2026/843

Deadline

02.08.2026