PhD Stipend in Generative AI for Life Cycle Sustainability Assessment in Early-Stage Design Workflows Aalborg University in Denmark

Aalborg University’s Technical Faculty of IT and Design, Department of Sustainability and Planning, is offering a fully funded PhD stipend in the general study program Development and Planning, starting from spring 2026 (March 1 or soon thereafter). This position is part of a new generative sustainability lab, a collaborative initiative between the Department of Sustainability and Planning and the Department of Architecture, Design and Media Technology. The lab is designed to foster interdisciplinary research, bringing together two PhD students and a cross-disciplinary team of supervisors to bridge technical development and creative design processes.

The successful candidate will join the Life Cycle Sustainability (LCS) group, which specializes in industrial ecology and sustainability science, focusing on holistic and quantitative assessment of human systems from a life cycle perspective. The core objective of the PhD project is to explore the integration of generative AI into early-stage design workflows, aiming to enhance sustainability-driven decision-making. Key challenges include linking AI-driven creativity with actionable environmental performance feedback during the initial design phase, which is often marked by uncertainty in data and parameters. The project seeks to develop trustworthy AI assistants for Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) that provide meaningful feedback to designers, helping shape material choices, structural properties, and overall life cycle performance.

Research activities will involve merging Python-based LCA approaches with generative AI and computational design tools, utilizing technologies such as Brightway, Rheino, Ollama, LangChain, and Neo4j. The candidate will work with advanced generative AI methods, including graph-based approaches and Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG), and contribute to open-source tool development. The position also includes opportunities for interdisciplinary training, joint supervision, and presenting research at international conferences.

Applicants should have a strong academic background in software science, data science, environmental science, sustainability science, or environmental engineering. Essential skills include advanced analytics, quantitative abilities, systems-thinking, and independent planning. Experience with LCA and programming for data science (Python, LangChain, Ollama, LangGraph) is highly desirable. Proficiency in English is required, and knowledge of Danish is considered an asset.

To apply, candidates must submit a motivation letter, a slide presentation outlining their understanding of the project and proposed approach, a CV with scientific outputs, a project description, MSc diploma or supervisor statement (if degree not yet completed), Master thesis, exam list with ECTS and grades, and a recommendation letter. Applications are to be submitted via Aalborg University’s recruitment system. The selection process includes shortlisting and assessment by a qualified committee, with final decisions made by the Dean of the Technical Faculty of IT and Design.

The PhD stipend is funded by Aalborg University and includes salary and employment benefits for three years, in accordance with the AC collective agreement. The university values diversity and encourages applications from all backgrounds. For scientific inquiries, contact Associate Professor Lotte Ansgaard Thomsen ([email protected]). For practical questions about stipends and salary, contact Helle Studsgaard Thomsen ([email protected]).

For more details and to apply, visit the official vacancy page: Aalborg University PhD Position.