Postdoc Positions in Natural Language Processing (CPH)

The Department of Computer Science at The Technical Faculty of IT and Design invites applications for two or more postdoc positions in the area of Natural Language Processing (NLP). The positions are open for appointments from January 1, 2027 or soon thereafter. The duration of the positions is one or two years, depending on the candidate’s qualifications and preferences. The positions are at AAU’s Copenhagen campus, located at the waterfront in Sydhavnen.

The application deadline is Monday, November 9, 2026. Interviews are tentatively planned for December 10, 2026.

The positions are hosted within the Natural Language Processing (NLP) research group https://aaunlp.github.io/ at AAU Copenhagen, and postdocs will work under the academic leadership of Professor Johannes Bjerva https://bjerva.github.io/. The NLP group is a rapidly expanding research environment with strong activities in multilingual NLP, LLM security, linguistically informed approaches to NLP, factuality in LLMs, and socially sustainable AI. The group is supported by several major national and international research grants – in 2026, we have grown to 20 researchers, including a full professor, four assistant professors, one postdoc, two research assistants, and 12 PhD students.

As a postdoc, you will join a highly collaborative, international, and ambitious research community, with access to state-of-the-art computational resources. In your role, you will have the opportunity to develop an independent research profile and compete for individual fellowships and faculty positions. The positions include the opportunity to undertake one or more research stays abroad to facilitate knowledge exchange with top research environments worldwide. The positions are in part funded by a DFF: Sapere Aude project (“Building TRUST in Text: Linguistically Motivated Language Model Detection”) Building TRUST in Text: Linguistically Motivated Language Model Detection - Aalborg University's Research Portal, an NNF: Ascending Data Science Investigator project (“LM2-SEC: Linguistically Motivated Language Model Security”)  https://vbn.aau.dk/en/projects/linguistically-motivated-language-model-security/, and an Erasmus+ project on AI-based Personal Language Learning Assistants in collaboration with VSKDansk  https://www.brondby.dk/om-kommunen/nyheder/2025/08/vskdansk-far-eu-stotte-til-udvikling-af-ai-baseret-sprogtutor.

As a postdoc, you will conduct research within the area of multilingual NLP. We are seeking postdocs with two distinct profiles within this area:
• Postdoc 1: Security, Safety, and Privacy in Natural Language Processing and AI, with a focus on Large Language Models (LLMs), LLM-based systems, and Agentic AI
• Postdoc 2: AI-based personal language learning assistants (1 year) and AI security (1 year).
Furthermore, there will be the possibility to gain experience as a co-supervisor for PhD students associated with these projects, and to supervise students on BSc. and MSc. levels.
The positions are embedded in an active and rapidly growing research environment, including ongoing projects on, e.g., AI security, epistemic diversity, linguistically motivated NLP, and knowledge-graph grounded factuality in LLMs. The postdocs will work both independently and collaboratively within the group and will have opportunities to engage with national and international partners. As a part of the projects funding these positions, we will host internationally recognised researchers at AAU, creating additional opportunities for collaboration and knowledge exchange.

We are looking for candidates motivated to make fundamental scientific contributions to multilingual NLP and AI security. Candidates should have the ambition of reaching an internationally leading level of research excellence by building their own research profile, while contributing to the research environment.

Applicants must have:
• A relevant PhD degree (e.g., NLP, AI, ML, Security, Cryptography, or a related field) and a relevant MSc degree (e.g., Computer Science, Software Engineering, Machine Learning, Artificial Intelligence, Computational Linguistics, or a related field)
• Strong skills in machine learning and deep learning
• Extensive experience with modern ML and NLP methods, including experience with experimentation, and with publishing in top-tier venues (e.g. ICML, ICLR, NeurIPS, ACL, EMNLP, TACL)
• Excellent communication skills in English
Applicants with documented experience in security, privacy, safety, or robustness will be preferred.

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

Who we are

According to the most recent US News and World Ranking, Aalborg University ranks 4th in Europe and 27th in the world within Best Universities for Engineering. According to a 2018 MIT report, Aalborg University is considered to have the 4th best engineering program in the world. According to the recent Times Higher Education Impact ranking, Aalborg University ranks 9th in the World for UN SDG Impact.

The Department of Computer Science at Aalborg University is highly regarded among researchers, students, and external partners because of our leading research, education, and collaboration. The department currently has more than 170 scientific staff, 20 administrative staff, and 1,100 students. Education and research are built around AAU's problem-based learning model.

The Section for Copenhagen at the department is a highly collaborative research environment, currently expanding from around 40 employees to approximately 60 over the next few years. The section includes members from research groups within NLP, AI, ML, Databases, Formal Methods, Human-Centred Computing, and others, and is uniquely characterised by an open, friendly, and supportive atmosphere. Daily life in the section is marked by informal interactions, knowledge sharing, and a strong sense of community. We also host a bi-weekly SemiBar (a combined seminar and Friday bar), where staff are challenged to present their research in a manner that provokes discussion across our diverse scientific backgrounds, along with regular social events, reading groups, cross-group research activities, and a newly established local PhD organisation promoting an active social and scientific life among our most junior researchers. Together, these initiatives create a dynamic and welcoming environment for early-career researchers and senior staff alike.
The Natural Language Processing (NLP) group, led by Professor Johannes Bjerva, is a rapidly expanding research environment specialising in multilingual NLP, LLM security, linguistically informed AI, and trustworthy language technologies. The group hosts several major research projects funded by, e.g., the Carlsberg Foundation, Danmarks Frie Forskningsfond (DFF), the Novo Nordisk Foundation, and AAU’s AI:X initiative. The group collaborates broadly across Europe and globally, and offers an inclusive, ambitious, and supportive research culture.
How to apply
Your application must include the following:

• Cover letter, stating your motivations for applying and your qualifications in relation to the position – at most one page.
  - Please indicate your preferred starting date, and your preferred duration of employment (at least 1 year, and at most 2 years).
  - We ask applicants not to use generative AI or writing assistant tools in the preparation of their cover letter, except for basic grammatical and spelling correction.
• Curriculum Vitae (CV) - at most two pages
• A full list of publications.
  - For three of these publications, include a single brief paragraph detailing your contributions to the work.
• Diplomas (bachelor, master's, and PhD degree diplomas)
• Project description – at most two pages.
•  Please describe your research vision for the position in relation to the project topics outlined above.
• Other relevant document

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.

Aalborg University has a policy of parallel language use. International staff are encouraged, with support from the university, to learn Danish during their employment in order to support their integration into the workplace and Danish society.

Danish language courses will be offered as part of the employment.

Do you have any questions?
If you have any questions about the position, you are more than welcome to contact us. You will find contact persons at the bottom of the jobpost.

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 and the Ministerial Order on Job Structure for Academic Staff at Universities. Furthermore, your terms of employment and salary are in accordance with the collective agreement between the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations and the state (AC collective agreement) and protocol on certain terms of employment of academic staff at universities.

You can find information about the salary and salary structure for the position in the Salary Overview for Recruitment - Scientific positions (VIP). Please refer to the introductory section of the page and the section entitled “Postdoc”.

There is a mutual probationary period of 3 months for the position.

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.