The Department of Computer Science at Aalborg University, Technical Faculty of IT and Design, invites applications for four fully funded PhD positions in Natural Language Processing (NLP), Artificial Intelligence (AI), and Large Language Model (LLM) Security. These positions are based at AAU’s Copenhagen campus, located in Sydhavnen, and are part of the rapidly expanding NLP research group led by Professor Johannes Bjerva.

Research in this group focuses on multilingual NLP, LLM security, linguistically informed approaches to NLP, factuality in LLMs, and socially sustainable AI. The group is supported by major national and international grants, including the DFF: Sapere Aude project (“Building TRUST in Text: Linguistically Motivated Language Model Detection”) and the NNF: Ascending Data Science Investigator project (“LM2-SEC: Linguistically Motivated Language Model Security”). In 2026, the group will expand to include four postdocs and ten PhD students, fostering a highly collaborative and international research environment.

PhD students will conduct research at the intersection of security, safety, and privacy in NLP and AI, with a particular emphasis on LLMs and LLM-based systems. Possible research directions include detection and mitigation of backdoors, data poisoning, and adversarial inputs in LLMs; detection of LLM-generated text, especially in compromised models; linguistically motivated methods for analyzing and securing LLM behavior; analysis of vulnerabilities in low-resource language settings; and formal semantic or symbolic methods for monitoring and improving LLM robustness.

The group offers access to state-of-the-art computational resources and opportunities for international research stays. Collaboration is encouraged both within the group and with national and international partners. The department is known for its open, friendly, and supportive atmosphere, emphasizing psychological safety, diversity, and inclusive research practices. Regular seminars, social events, and cross-group activities contribute to a dynamic and welcoming environment for early-career researchers.

Applicants must hold a relevant MSc degree (e.g., Computer Science, Software Engineering, Machine Learning, Artificial Intelligence, Computational Linguistics, or related fields) and demonstrate strong skills in machine learning, deep learning, and modern NLP methods, including transformer models. Excellent English communication skills are required. Preference is given to candidates with experience in NLP, LLM architectures, security, privacy, safety, or robustness. Enrollment in the Technical Doctoral School of IT and Design is mandatory, with regular progress assessments as per Danish ministerial regulations.

Salary and employment terms follow the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations and state agreements. The positions are fully funded for three years. Aalborg University is internationally recognized for its engineering and research excellence, ranking highly in global university rankings. The university values diversity and encourages applications from all backgrounds.

To apply, submit your application via Aalborg University's recruitment system, including an application letter, CV, diplomas, and a project description outlining your research vision. For questions, contact Professor Johannes Bjerva. The application deadline is May 31, 2026.