PhD Position in Software Technologies for Developing Digital Twin Model of the Sea

Center for Industrial Software, part of the Maersk Mc-Kinney Moller Institute, University of Southern Denmark, located in Sønderborg, invites applications for a 3-year PhD position, which will be vacant from January 1, 2026, or as soon as possible thereafter. 

The application deadline is November 24, 2025, at 11.59 PM / CET/CEST) 

Research environment

The Maersk Mc-Kinney Moller Institute is an internationally recognized institute in digital technologies. The institute is further growing it's Center for Industrial Software research and education at its campus in Sønderborg with a vision of creating world class knowledge in valuable collaboration with industry providing a unique opportunity to be part of the center. The center is collaborating closely with other Centre's at the campus including Centre for Industrial Electronics and Centre for Industrial Mechanics as well as with the industry, which counts world leading companies in growing fields such as e-mobility, automation, climate solutions and energy efficiency. Learn more about our institute at  and the centre at  The Centre is autonomous but will collaborate closely with the Software Engineering section of the institute.

In our work we value teamwork, professional diligence, enthusiasm for technology and the drive to adopt new skills and extended responsibilities. We offer an open, international team with flexible work organization and support of individual development. The Centre is involved in a variety of national and European projects and features a strong network of academic and industrial partners. We solve challenging research problems from real applications and implement novel software solutions together with end users such as Universal Robots, Terma, LEGO, Danfoss, and Novo Nordisk.

Project description 

The PhD project is setup in the context of supporting the research activities within RECOVER project (REsilience of COastal Vital Ecosystems through innovative management solutions in the Danish-German border Region). The RECOVER project aims to improve water quality in the western Baltic Sea and increase its resilience to environmental stresses. The project will develop a digital twin model of the southwestern Baltic Sea that can be used to simulate climate scenarios and test various management measures. The work will utilize both local and cloud-based computational resources at the University of Southern Denmark (SDU). This project offers an excellent opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge AI-based Digital Twin modeling research within an interdisciplinary research team. 

The PhD candidate will be responsible to:

• Define data modeling requirements for the datasets in the project and apply FAIR principles. 
• Review existing data sources, set quality standards, and create metadata protocols to ensure consistent, reliable input for AI models.
• Design machine learning workflows to interpret large datasets, efficiently select algorithms, train and validate models, and integrate feedback loops to improve accuracy. 
• Create AI-based Digital Twin models to perform scenario testing, monitor and forecast environmental changes, test hypothetical scenarios, and provide actionable insights.
• Transform model outputs into accessible insights and validate predictions by developing a visualization tool to display results through dashboards, maps, and interactive features.

Profile and requirements

The candidate will participate in research and teaching activities within the areas of software and artificial intelligence. The position requires a master's degree within a relevant area (e.g. software or computer science) and the desired candidate is expected to have knowledge within relevant areas, e.g. within software technologies for programmer support, hardware set up, data modeling and data management.

Furthermore, the successful candidate is expected to:

• Have good knowledge of English (written and spoken).
• Have high self-motivation to learn. 
• Be able to work well and communicate expert knowledge in an interdisciplinary team.
• Have the ability of working independently.
• Have a strong sense of responsibility.

Further information

Please visit us on our website: 

Further information about this position is available via email from Associate Professor Serkan Ayvaz ).

If you experience technical problems, please contact hcm- 

Application procedure

Before applying the candidates are advised to read the Faculty information for prospective PhD students and the SDU information on how to apply.

Assessment of the candidates is based on the application material, and an application must include: 

• Motivated application. 
• Curriculum Vitae.
• Master's and bachelor's degree certificates or equivalent, including transcripts of grades (copy of original/official English translation).  
• Completed TEK PhD application form for 5+3 applicants. Find the form at the Faculty website.
• Completed TEK PhD form for calculation grade point average. Find the form at the Faculty website. 
• An official document describing the grading scheme of the awarding universities (if not Danish). 
• Only for applicants from programmes that evaluate thesis/examination project by approved/not approved: An official written assessment of the thesis or dissertation project from the grade giving institution. The statement must clearly state that the candidate has been among the top 30 pct. in the graduation class for the study programme.
• List of publications and maximum 2 examples of relevant publications (in case you have any publications).
• References may be included, you're welcome to use the form for reference letter at the Faculty website.
• A statement/documentation of other qualifications relevant to the position may also be included.

SUBMISSION GUIDE: Motivated application (max. 5 MB), Curriculum Vitae (max 5 MB) shall be uploaded in their relevant box. All other documents shall be uploaded under 'Miscellaneous documents' (max 10 files of max 50 MB per file

All documents must be in English and PDF format. CPR number (civil registration no.) must be crossed out. All PDF-files must be unlocked and allow binding and may not be password protected.

The application deadline is November 24, 2025, at 11.59 PM / CET/CEST) 

Assessment and selection process

Applications will be assessed by an assessment committee. Shortlisting may be applied, and only shortlisted candidates will receive a written assessment. Read about shortlisting at SDU.  Interviews and tests may be part of the overall evaluation.

Read about the Assessment and selection process.  

Conditions of enrollment/employment

Appointment as a PhD fellow is a 3-year salaried position, and the monthly gross salary incl. pension is DKK. If you have relevant postgraduate experience, you may be placed on a higher salary step. The preferred start date is from January 1, 2026, and will be agreed with the successful candidate.

Applicants must hold a master's degree (equivalent to a Danish master's degree) at the time of enrollment and employment. Employment is contingent on enrollment approved by the PhD School. Enrollment will be in accordance with Faculty regulations and the Danish Ministerial Order on the PhD Programme at the Universities (PhD order). Employment will be in accordance with the collective agreement between the Ministry of Finance and the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations for academics in the state with the associated circular on the job structure for academic staff at Danish universities and the provisions for PhD fellows as described herein as well as the Protocol on PhD fellows signed by the Danish Ministry of Finance and the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations (AC). Further information about salary and conditions of employment. The person employed in the position may, based on a specific individual managerial evaluation, be exempted from time registration, also known as a "self-organizer".

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The University of Southern Denmark wishes our staff to reflect the surrounding community and therefore encourages everyone, regardless of personal background, to apply for the position. SDU conducts research in critical technologies, which, due to the risk of unwanted knowledge transfer, are subject to a number of security measures. Therefore, based on information from open sources, background checks may be conducted on candidates for the position.

Further information for international applicants about entering and working in Denmark. You may also visit WorkinDenmark for additional information.

Further information about The Faculty of Engineering.

SØNDERBORG:

SDU Sønderborg is located in scenic and historic surroundings with views to both Alssund and Sønderborg Castle. The university's more than 1,000 students are just a short walk from the city centre, water, beach and forest. SDU Sønderborg is part of the impressive and state-of-the-art building Alsion which, besides the university, houses Videnspark Alsion, Business Academy Southwest, a concert hall and the South Denmark Philharmonic, providing outstanding opportunities for expanding cooperation between universities, business and culture.