One or more Postdoc positions in AI for Autonomous Systems

The Faculty of Engineering and Science, Department of Materials and Production, Section of Applied Systems Research, Artificial Intelligence for Operations Research

At the Faculty of Engineering and Science, Department of Materials and Production one or more Postdoc positions in the area of Optimization and Algorithm Design are open for appointment from April 1st, 2026, or soon thereafter.

Your work tasks
The positions are within the Artificial Intelligence for Operations Research (AI4OR) group at Aalborg University. The research will be carried out in close collaboration with leading Danish and European companies as well as international academic partners, ensuring a highly synergetic environment.

The AI4OR group addresses complex real-world problems that demand advanced modelling, data analysis, and algorithmic development. Your tasks will support our core research focus of mathematical and computational approaches to design and implement solution algorithms, with particular emphasis on automated decision-making in autonomous cyber-physical systems. The application areas cover a wide spectrum of autonomous systems, including AGVs/UGVs, UAVs, USVs, and related systems.

As a successful applicant, you will participate in research projects with world-leading partners in areas such as: manufacturing, transportation, health care and aerospace. You will contribute to academic and collaborative research activities in the group and with external partners. You will also contribute to educational activities in bachelor and master programs supported by the group.

Your competencies   
The ideal applicant profile should demonstrate expertise in one or more of the following areas: optimization algorithms (heuristics, metaheuristics, exact methods), learning-based approaches, algorithm design, development, and implementation.

We are seeking candidates with a strong interest in research at the intersection of Artificial Intelligence and Operations Research, grounded in Computer Science and Mathematics. A background in algorithm design and implementation combined with solid programming skills (e.g., Java, C, C++, Python), is highly valued. Candidates are expected to contribute to ongoing research projects and actively support the development of future research initiatives.

The candidate should be able to highlight research activities in the form of ISI's Web of Science publications and the preferred candidate will also be able to demonstrate the application of research in practice. Appropriate candidates should have a master's and PhD degree in Operations Research, Computer Science, Software Engineering, Applied Mathematics, Robotics or a related field.

Qualification requirements 
Appointment as postdoc requires academic qualifications at PhD level. 

Who we are    
The Department of Materials and Production (MP) is a wide-ranging research and educational environment at Aalborg University. The Department's mission is to meet the future's demands for new materials and production systems by directing the whole value chain from basic material understanding to materials' applications in mechanical construction, industrial production, and management. The department has several strong, international, and innovative research groups that comprise everything from basic science to strategic and applied research. The activities encompass research and education within materials, mechanics, physics, production, and industrial management and innovation.

Several innovative and unconventional collaborations have been and are being developed through interdisciplinary cooperation, benefiting the industry and additional collaborators. As an employee at the department, you will become part of an international research environment focusing on innovation, knowledge sharing/building, and interdisciplinary collaborations.

The Department's activities are supported by world-class laboratories and an important part of the research being done at the department. Specifically in relation to this position we have facilities for synthesis and characterization of materials covering the range from the atomic scale in the cleanroom and materials labs to fabrication of components and devices.

You can read more about AAU Materials and Production at: Department of Materials and Production - Aalborg University. 

How to apply  
Your application must include the following: 

• Application, stating reasons for applying, qualifications in relation to the position, and intentions and visions for the position 
• Curriculum Vitae (CV) 
• Diplomas (master's degree diploma and PhD diploma) 
• List of publications, with an indication of the attached publications that you wish to be taken into account in the assessment. You may attach a maximum of ten publications. If you are applying for a position at The Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities (SSH), you must submit a co-author statement, see template for co-author statement 
• Documentation of teaching qualifications. Depending on which faculty you are applying for employment, please see guidelines for teaching portfolio at The Technical Faculty of IT and Design, The Faculty of Engineering and Science 
• Dissemination qualifications, including participation on committees or boards, participation in organisations etc. 
• Additional qualifications in relation to the position 
• References/recommendations 

You can read more about the requirements for your application here.    

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 Senior Researcher. Søren Byg Vilsen, e-mail:

Further information 
Read more about our recruitment process here   

The appointment process at Aalborg University involves a shortlisting process. You can read more about the shortlisting and appointment process here.  

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. 

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) and protocol on certain terms of employment of 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) (only in Danish) and protocol on certain terms of employment of academic staff at universities (only in Danish). 

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.

Share links

Return to job vacancies

---