Postdoctoral Positions in AI Ethics and Law for Mental Health Technologies at University of Copenhagen

The Department of Food and Resource Economics (IFRO) at the University of Copenhagen is inviting applications for two postdoctoral positions within the TrustMind project, funded by the Lundbeck Foundation. These positions focus on the responsible development and legal compliance of AI tools for depression screening, with a particular emphasis on ethical and legal frameworks in the EU context. The first postdoc position centers on AI & Ethics, where the successful candidate will provide ethical assessments of AI algorithms for mental health screening, guided by the four principles of trustworthy AI: respect for human autonomy, prevention of harm, fairness, and explicability. The role involves interdisciplinary collaboration with researchers in philosophy, law, economics, and sociology, and includes both research and teaching responsibilities. The candidate should have a PhD in philosophy or a related field, strong communication skills, and preferably experience in analyzing ethical and societal issues in AI. The second postdoc position focuses on AI & Law, with responsibilities including legal analysis of the EU Artificial Intelligence Act and the development of strategies for regulatory compliance in healthcare algorithms. The candidate will work closely with the ethics postdoc and other project members to ensure transparency and fairness in depression-risk algorithms. Applicants should have a PhD in law, experience with the EU legal framework for AI in healthcare, and strong communication skills. Both positions are based at IFRO's Section for Consumption, Bioethics and Governance, located at Frederiksberg Campus. The research group is interdisciplinary, comprising eight postdocs and four senior researchers, and offers a supportive and collaborative environment. Physical presence at IFRO is expected, though some flexibility and remote work are possible. The positions are full-time, with employment terms following Danish academic staff agreements and the possibility of salary negotiation. The AI & Ethics postdoc is for 2.5 years, and the AI & Law postdoc is for 2 years. Applicants must submit their application in English, including a CV, diplomas, research plan, publication list, and three relevant papers. The deadline for applications is 12 January 2026. For further information, candidates can contact Associate Professor Sune Holm or Head of Department Per Svejstrup. The University of Copenhagen values diversity and encourages applications from all qualified candidates. Key research areas include AI ethics, law, trustworthy AI, mental health technologies, depression screening, and EU AI regulation. The TrustMind project aims to set new standards for responsible AI in psychiatry, integrating ethical and legal considerations into the development and deployment of AI tools for mental health.