Are you passionate about computer vision, deep learning, and multimodal AI, and excited to shape how humans and machines communicate? Do you want to help build the next generation of AI systems that go beyond text and understand the visual ways in which people naturally express themselves?
We are looking for a highly motivated PhD candidate to join us in developing AI that can communicate visually rather than through language alone. You will conduct cutting-edge research at the intersection of computer vision, generative AI, and human–AI interaction, publish at the world's leading venues, collaborate with top researchers in Denmark and abroad, and help define a new paradigm for how people interact with AI.
The position is a fully funded 3-year PhD at DTU Compute, in the Visual Computing section, a strong and internationally oriented research environment for computer vision and machine learning.
Responsibilities and qualifications
The goal of this PhD project is to develop AI systems that can engage in visual dialogues, where people communicate with AI tools visually and where the AI responds with meaningful visual outputs. Today's multimodal models excel at answering questions about images, but they cannot truly communicate visually. You will help close this gap by designing models that both interpret visual communicative signals and generate visual responses, making AI a more natural, intuitive, and inclusive collaborator.
During your PhD, you will:
- Develop state-of-the-art computer vision and multimodal AI models for visual dialogues.
- Build and curate datasets to train and evaluate these models.
- Publish and present your research at top venues (CVPR, ICCV, ECCV).
- Spend a few months abroad during your PhD.
- Contribute to teaching as a teaching assistant at DTU.
Candidates should have the following required skills:
- A two-year master’s degree (120 ECTS points) or a similar degree with an academic level equivalent to a two-year master’s degree in computer science, informatics, computer engineering, applied mathematics or equivalent.
- Proven experience in Python.
- Proven hands-on experience with deep learning frameworks.
- High level of motivation and innovation.
- Experience in computer vision is a plus.
- Excellent written and communication skills in English.
Approval and Enrolment
The scholarship for the PhD degree is subject to academic approval, and the candidate will be enrolled in one of the general degree programmes at DTU. For information about our enrolment requirements and the general planning of the PhD study programme, please see DTU's rules for the PhD education.
Assessment
The assessment of the applicants will be made by Associate Professor Dimitrios Papadopoulos.
We offer
DTU is a leading technical university globally recognized for the excellence of its research, education, innovation and scientific advice. We offer a rewarding and challenging job in an international environment. We strive for academic excellence in an environment characterized by collegial respect and academic freedom tempered by responsibility.
Salary and appointment terms
The appointment will be based on the collective agreement with the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations. Please see DTU’s salary structure for scientific staff: www.inside.dtu.dk/en/human-resources/during-employment/salary/salary-structures
The period of employment is 3 years; start in Fall 2026.
You can read more about career paths at DTU here.
Further information
If you have questions, you are very welcome to contact Associate Professor Dimitrios Papadopoulos at dimp@dtu.dk
If you are applying from abroad, you may find useful information on working in Denmark and at DTU at DTU – Moving to Denmark. Furthermore, you have the option of joining our monthly free seminar “PhD relocation to Denmark and startup “Zoom” seminar” for all questions regarding the practical matters of moving to Denmark and working as a PhD at DTU.
Application procedure
Your complete online application must be submitted no later than 20 September 2026 (23:59 Danish time).
Applications must be submitted as one PDF file containing all materials to be given consideration. To apply, please open the link "Apply now", fill out the online application form, and attach all your materials in English in one PDF file. The file must include:
- A letter motivating the application (cover letter)
- Curriculum vitae (CV)
- Grade transcripts and BSc/MSc diploma (in English) including official description of grading scale
You may apply prior to obtaining your master's degree but cannot begin before having received it.
Applications received after the deadline will not be considered.
All interested candidates irrespective of age, gender, disability, race, religion or ethnic background are encouraged to apply. As DTU works with research in critical technology, which is subject to special rules for security and export control, open-source background checks may be conducted on qualified candidates for the position.
DTU Compute
DTU Compute – Department of Applied Mathematics and Computer Science – is an internationally recognised academic environment with over 400 employees and 10 research sections. We broadly cover digital technologies within mathematics, data science, computer science, and computer engineering, including artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, internet of things (IoT), chip design, cybersecurity, human-computer interaction, social networks, fairness, and data ethics. Our research is rooted in basic research and centres on mathematical models of the physical and virtual world, as a basis for the analysis, design, and implementation of complex systems. We focus on ensuring that our research results contribute to creating a better society by supporting areas such as health, green transition, energy supply, and life science. We collaborate with universities, public and private organisations, and companies in Denmark and abroad, and through DTU’s startup ecosystem, we encourage innovation and entrepreneurship. We have a strong ethical, human, and sustainable approach that ensures integrity in our work. Therefore, we strive for and take responsibility for driving the democratisation of digital technologies, so that everyone has the opportunity to actively participate in the development, and we ensure a continued open, democratic, and inclusive society for the benefit of all. At DTU Compute, we value diversity, inclusion, and a flexible work-life balance. Read more about us at www.compute.dtu.dk
DTU – For the benefit of society since 1829
DTU is one of Europe's leading elite technical universities. Through research and education at an international top level, we create solutions to the major societal challenges of our time and help secure Europe's global leadership in sustainable technological development. Since Hans Christian Ørsted founded DTU almost 200 years ago, our mission has remained the same: We develop and create value through the natural and technical sciences for the benefit of society. DTU has 13,800 students, 1,600 PhD students, and 6,500 employees. We work in an international environment and have an inclusive, stimulating, and informal work culture. DTU has campuses in all parts of Denmark and in Greenland and collaborates with the best universities around the world.
INFORMATIONER OM STILLINGEN:
- Arbejdspladsen ligger i:
Lyngby-Taarbæk Kommune
-Virksomheden tilbyder:
-Arbejdsgiver:
DTU Compute, Richard Petersens Plads, bygning, 2800 Kgs. Lyngby
-Ansøgning:
Ansøgningsfrist: 20-09-2026;
Se mere her: https://job.jobnet.dk/find-job/54ff830f-bf4c-4820-9929-dba8b1b6ffe1
