Postdoctoral Position in Graph-Based Algorithms for District Heating Networks at Dept. of Computer Science, Aarhus University

The Department of Computer Science, Aarhus University, invites applications for a full-time 2-year Postdoctoral position, starting 1 April 2026– or as soon as possible thereafter.

The position is part of the project Reuse of Waste Heat: Graph-based Algorithms for Spatio-Temporal Optimization of Thermal Networks funded by Villum Foundation, which investigates next-generation computational methods to support district heating network planning and operation.

Position and Research Focus
We are offering a Postdoctoral position in graph machine learning, algorithms, and graph management with particular focus on:

• Modeling real-world spatio-temporal energy networks
• Developing graph algorithms for optimization under physical constraints
• Applying graph mining and graph data management techniques
• Designing computational methods for waste heat reuse and green transition goals
• Collaborating across domains, including civil/architectural engineering and energy management

This position is deeply interdisciplinary, and will be carried out in close collaboration with

Massimo Fiorentini’s group at the Department of Civil and Architectural Engineering and Kredsløb, the company managing district heating in Aarhus.

The successful candidate will contribute to advancing fundamental algorithms as well as real-world applied solutions. In addition, the Postdoc is expected to develop their own research profile and take part in the broader activities of the Department and faculty.

Qualifications and Specific Competences
The ideal candidate has:

• A PhD in Computer Science, Informatics, Computer Engineering, or a related discipline
• Strong background in one or more areas: graph algorithms, data mining, databases, machine learning, optimization, or spatio-temporal modeling
• Documented experience handling research challenges and empirical evaluations
• Solid programming skills in at least one relevant language (e.g., Python, C++)
• Interest in interdisciplinary work involving engineering, sustainability, and real-world infrastructure
• Strong written and verbal English communication skills

Candidates with backgrounds in Physics, Mathematics, or Statistics are also encouraged to apply if they have strong competencies relevant to machine learning, graph analysis, or applied computational methods.

We especially encourage women and candidates from underrepresented groups to apply. Aarhus University is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive research environment.

Place of Work
Department of Computer Science, Aarhus University Åbogade 34, 8200 Aarhus N, Denmark

Application Deadline
19 December 2025 at 23:59 CEST

Application procedure
Shortlisting is used. This means that after the deadline for applications – and with the assistance from the assessment committee chairman, and the appointment committee if necessary, – the head of department selects the candidates to be evaluated. All applicants will be notified whether or not their applications have been sent to an expert assessment committee for evaluation. The selected applicants will be informed about the composition of the committee, and each applicant is given the opportunity to comment on the part of the assessment that concerns him/her self. Once the recruitment process is completed a final letter of rejection is sent to the deselected applicants.

Letter of reference
If you want a referee to upload a letter of reference on your behalf, please state the referee’s contact information when you submit your application. We strongly recommend that you make an agreement with the person in question before you enter the referee’s contact information, and that you ensure that the referee has enough time to write the letter of reference before the application deadline. Unfortunately, it is not possible to ensure that letters of reference received after the application deadline will be taken into consideration.

If you wish to add a referee after you have submitted your application, you must send this person’s details (name, job title, place of work, and email address) as well as the name of the position you have applied for to: [email protected]

Formalities and salary range
Natural Sciences refers to the Ministerial Order on the Appointment of Academic Staff at Danish Universities under the Danish Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation.

The application must be in English and include a curriculum vitae, degree certificate, a complete list of publications, a statement of future research plans and information about research activities, teaching portfolio and verified information on previous teaching experience (if any). Guidelines for applicants can be found here.

Appointment shall be in accordance with the collective labour agreement between the Danish Ministry of Taxation and the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations. Further information on qualification requirements and job content may be found in the Memorandum on Job Structure for Academic Staff at Danish Universities.

Salary depends on seniority as agreed between the Danish Ministry of Taxation and the Confederation of Professional Associations.

Aarhus University’s ambition is to be an attractive and inspiring workplace for all and to foster a culture in which each individual has opportunities to thrive, achieve and develop. We view equality and diversity as assets, and we welcome all applicants.

Research activities will be evaluated in relation to actual research time. Thus, we encourage applicants to specify periods of leave without research activities, in order to be able to subtract these periods from the span of the scientific career during the evaluation of scientific productivity.

Aarhus University offers a broad variety of services for international researchers and accompanying families, including relocation service and career counselling to expat partners. Read more here. Please find more information about entering and working in Denmark here.

Aarhus University also offers a Junior Researcher Development Programme targeted at career development for postdocs at AU. You can read more about it here.

At the Faculty of Natural Science at Aarhus University, we strive to support our scientific staff in their career development. We focus on competency development and career clarification and want to make your opportunities transparent. On our website, you can find information on all types of scientific positions, as well as the entry criteria we use when assessing candidates. You can also read more about how we can assist you in your career planning and development.

The application must be submitted via Aarhus University’s recruitment system, which can be accessed under the job advertisement on Aarhus University's website.

Aarhus University
Aarhus University is an academically diverse and research-intensive university with a strong commitment to high-quality research and education and the development of society nationally and globally. The university offers an inspiring research and teaching environment to its 38,000 students (FTEs) and 8,300 employees, and has an annual revenues of EUR 935 million. Learn more at www.international.au.dk/

Department: Datalogi, Institut for/Computer Science, Dept. of

Deadline: 19 December 2025

Location: Aarhus N Åbogade 34