PhD student to join our cutting-edge project TRUSTMIND
We are seeking a PhD student to join our cutting-edge project focused on enhancing the reliability of trustworthy AI methods in mental health risk prediction called TRUSTMIND. This project, led by Melanie Ganz, aims to address critical challenges in the application of AI to mental health diagnostics, particularly in the context of major depressive disorder (MDD). We aim to develop AI algorithms for MDD screening using diverse mental health datasets, ensuring ethical, transparent, and clinically informed implementation.
Key Objectives:
- Develop new MDD risk scoring algorithms to illustrate and address these challenges.
- Develop methods to estimate and mitigate bias in AI-driven mental health diagnostics.
- Collaborate with experts in mental health to ensure clinically relevant validation schemes.
Responsibilities:
- Conduct research on algorithmic fairness and transparency in AI.
- Analyze the demographic and cultural dependencies affecting mental health diagnostics.
- Develop and implement methods to mitigate bias in AI algorithms.
- Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams, including experts in AI and mental health.
- Publish research findings in high-impact journals and present at conferences.
- Join us in advancing the field of trustworthy AI in mental health and making a meaningful impact on healthcare diagnostics!
Qualifications:
- MSc in Computer Science, Data Science, Statistics, or a related field.
- Strong background in AI, machine learning, and statistical modeling.
- Excellent programming skills (e.g., Python, R), especially have practical programming experience with machine learning models in python.
- Be ambitious and wish to make a difference in how AI is used in society.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a team.
Preferred qualifications:
- Experience with explainable AI (XAI) and algorithmic fairness
- Experience in healthcare AI or mental health research.
- Knowledge of biostatistics or the Danish language is a plus.
We offer:
The Department of Computer Science (DIKU) at the University of Copenhagen, established in 1970 by Turing Award laureate Peter Naur, is Denmark's first computer science department and a leading institution in Europe. DIKU's Image Section specializes in image processing, computer vision, and robotics, with research areas including medical image analysis and physics-based animation. We offer opportunities to engage in cutting-edge research within a collaborative and interdisciplinary environment.
Salary and terms of employment
The terms of employment and salary are in accordance with the agreement between Danish Universities and The Danish Confederation of Professional Associations on Academics in the State. The position is full-time (37 hours a week).
Duration
The period of employment is 36 months, starting 1 April 2026 or as soon as possible thereafter according to mutual agreement.
Further information
For further information, please contact Associate Professor Melanie Ganz, ganz@di.ku.dk.
Application deadline
The deadline for applications including enclosures is 4 January 2026, 23.59 CET.
Applications received after the deadline will not be considered.
Part of the International Alliance of Research Universities (IARU), and among Europe’s top-ranking universities, the University of Copenhagen promotes research and teaching of the highest international standard. Rich in tradition and modern in outlook, the University gives students and staff the opportunity to cultivate their talent in an ambitious and informal environment. An effective organisation – with good working conditions and a collaborative work culture – creates the ideal framework for a successful academic career.