PhD fellowship in Trustworthy Natural Language Processing

Job portalAll vacanciesPhD fellowship in Trustworthy Natural Language ProcessingDepartment of Computer ScienceFaculty of SCIENCEUniversity of CopenhagenThe Natural Language Processing Section at the Department of Computer Science, Faculty of Science at the University of Copenhagen invites applicants for a PhD fellowship in Trustworthy Natural Language Processing.Start date is (expected to be) 1st March 2026 or as soon as possible thereafter.The positionThe PhD fellowship is offered with Pepa Atanasova as the main project supervisor, and will be co-supervised by Isabelle Augenstein. The successful candidate will engage in developing innovative methods fortrustworthy NLP models, including but not limited to mechanistic interpretability, explainability, reasoning, factuality, safety mechanisms, and practical applications of trustworthy AI. The research will broadly align with the objectives of the CopeNLU research group and more specifically with the research interests of the main project supervisor. The overall focus of the PhD will be on trustworthy NLP models, with the specific research direction to be tailored in collaboration with the candidate to align their interests and the group's research goals. The candidate will join a vibrant research team that includes collaborators from CopeNLU and other international partners, fostering a dynamic and interdisciplinary environment conductive to impactful research.Note:Candidates with interests in multi-modal AI and/or multi-lingual/cultural NLP should instead explore the profiles of other faculty members in the NLP section at the University of Copenhagen for potential opportunities.Whom are we looking for?Applicants should hold a MSc degree or equivalent in Computer Science or a related field, and have good written and oral English skills. The assessment of your qualifications will also be made based on previous scientific publications (if any) and relevant work experience. The ideal candidate would havean education background, prior research or work experience in ML or NLP.Our group and research- and what do we offer?The successful candidate will join the CopeNLU group at the University of Copenhagen. CopeNLU is a vibrant and collaborative research group led by Isabelle Augenstein and Pepa Atanasova with a focus on researching methods for tasks that require a deep understanding of language, as opposed to shallow processing. We are interested in core methodology research on, among others, learning with limited training data, interpretable and explainable AI; as well as applications thereof to tasks such as fact checking and question answering. With a strong focus on both foundational and applied research, we provide a platform for exploring cutting-edge topics in NLP, while also emphasizing the importance of transparent and responsible AI development.We are affiliated with the Natural Language Processing Section in the Department of Computer Science, Faculty of SCIENCE, University of Copenhagen, as well as with the Pioneer Centre for AI, at the Department of Computer Science, University of Copenhagen. The group is currently co-located with the Pioneer Centre for AI in central Copenhagen. The Natural Language Processing Section provides a strong, international and diverse environment for research within core as well as emerging topics in natural language processing. The Natural Language Processing research environment at the University of Copenhagen is internationally leading, as e.g. evidenced by it being ranked top-3 in Europe according to CSRankings. Further information about research at the Department is available here: .Principal supervisorisProf. Isabelle Augenstein, Department of Computer Science, email:, main project supervisor is Pepa Atanasova, email:.The PhD programmeYou Can Undertake The PhD Programme AsAthree year full-time studywithin the framework ofthe regular PhD programme(5+3 scheme),if you alreadyhave an educationequivalent to a relevant Danish master's degree.Getting into a position on the regular PhD programmeQualifications Needed For The Regular ProgrammeTo be eligible for the regular PhD programme, you must have completed a degree programme, equivalent to a Danish master's degree (180 ECTS/3 FTE BSc + 120 ECTS/2 FTE MSc) related to the subject area of the position, i.e. NLP and ML. For information of eligibility of completed programmes, see General assessments for specific countries and Assessment database.Terms of employment in the regular programmeEmployment as PhD fellow is full time and for maximum 3 years.Employment is conditional upon your successful enrolment as a PhD student at the PhD School at the Faculty of SCIENCE, University of Copenhagen. This requires submission and acceptance of an application for the specific position formulated by the applicant.Terms of appointment and payment accord to the agreement between the Danish Ministry of Taxation and The Danish Confederation of Professional Associations on Academics in the State. The position is covered by the Protocol on Job Structure.Responsibilitiesand tasks in the PhD programmeDefine and develop a PhD research topic within trustworthy NLPCarry through an independent research project under supervisionComplete PhD courses corresponding to approx. 30 ECTS / ½ FTEParticipate in active research environments, including a stay at another research institution, preferably abroadTeaching and knowledge dissemination activitiesWrite scientific papers aimed at high-impact venuesPresent research findings at international conferences and workshopsWrite and defend a PhD thesis on the basis of your projectWe Are Looking For The Following QualificationsProfessional qualifications relevant to the PhD positionRelevant publicationsRelevant education backgroundRelevant work experienceOther relevant professional activitiesCurious mindset with a strong interest in trustworthy NLPGood language skillsApplication and Assessment ProcedureYour application including all attachments must be in English and submitted electronically by clicking APPLY NOW below.Please IncludeCover Letter detailing your motivation and background for applying for this PhD position.Research Statement detailing your desired research focus and goals for the PhD studies within the scope of the specified position. The research statement should demonstrate your independent thinking by outlining a concrete research direction(s) within trustworthy NLP you wish to explore, including: specific research questions you aim to address, preliminary ideas on methodological approaches you would employ, connection to existing literature, and the potential impact and applications.Curriculum vitae including information about your education, experience, language skills and other skills relevant for the position.Original diplomas for Bachelor of Science or Master of Science and transcript of records in the original language, including an authorized English translation if issued in another language than English or Danish. If not completed, a certified/signed copy of a recent transcript of records or a written statement from the institution or supervisor is accepted.Publication list (if possible).Reference letters (if available; alternatively, reference letters can submitted directly to for shortlisted candidates, at the latest one week after being informed about the shortlisting).Application DeadlineThe deadline for applications is31 October 2025, 23:59 GMT +1.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 processAfter the deadline, a number of applicants will be selected for academic assessment by an unbiased expert assessor. You are notified, whether you will be passed for assessment.The assessor will assess the qualifications and experience of the shortlisted applicants with respect to the above mentioned research area, techniques, skills and other requirements. The assessor will conclude whether each applicant is qualified. The assessed applicants will have the opportunity to comment on their assessment. You can read about the recruitment process at Interviews with selected candidates are expected to be held in week QuestionsFor specific information about the PhD fellowship, please contact .General information about PhD study at the Faculty of SCIENCE is available at the PhD School's website: The University of Copenhagen wishes to reflect the surrounding community and invites all regardless of personal background to apply for the position.APPLY NOWPart of the International Alliance of Research Universities (IARU), and among Europe's top-ranking universities, the University of Copenhagen promotes research and teaching of the highest international standard. Rich in tradition and modern in outlook, the University gives students and staff the opportunity to cultivate their talent in an ambitious and informal environment. An effective organisation – with good working conditions and a collaborative work culture – creates the ideal framework for a successful academic career.ContactPepa Kostadinova AtanasovaE-mail: InfoApplication deadline: Employment start: Department/Location:Department of Computer Science" id="cookiefilter-placeholder-1">Content not available due to cookie preferencesYou cannot see the content of this field because of your cookie preferences.Click here to change your cookie settings.Category: MarketingSearch all vacancies