DIAS Fellow in Formal Methods and Future Computing

The Centre for Formal Methods and Future Computing (FORM) and the Danish Institute for Advanced Study (DIAS) at the University of Southern Denmark (SDU, Campus Odense and Vejle) seek an outstanding candidate to fill a tenure track Fellow (Assistant Professor level) position in the field of Computer Science, with emphasis on formal methods and theorem proving. The candidate is expected to start in Autumn 2026, or as soon as possible thereafter. 

We are looking for a researcher with clear potential for research excellence who thrives in and is inspired by interdisciplinary collaboration. The ideal candidate will be expected to contribute to high-quality research in their field, collaborating on ambitious research programmes at FORM while embracing DIAS’s mission of curiosity-driven inquiry and interdisciplinary dialogue. The successful candidate should have a strong and promising research profile, with potential for attracting external research funding, and a demonstrated ability to work across disciplines. The candidate will be attached to both FORM (hosted by the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science) and DIAS and should be prepared to engage in multiple and diverse research environments at SDU.  

Who are we looking for 
We seek a researcher with expertise in the field of formal methods and programming, who is eager to develop their research career within the DIAS framework. The ideal candidate should demonstrate:  

• A commitment to engaging in boundary-crossing interdisciplinary research and dialogue. 
• A strong commitment to interdisciplinary collaboration, contributing to research that bridges multiple fields.  
• Strong interest in driving internationally competitive research activities at the highest level of ambition.  
• Engagement in various forms of research dissemination, including interdisciplinary research and dialogue.  

Qualifications 
Successful applicants must:  

• Hold a PhD or similar qualifications within relevant fields of Computer Science or Mathematics. 
• Exhibit curiosity-driven research excellence, thinking beyond traditional boundaries.  
• Be fluent in English. 
• Show potential for attracting external research funding. Experience in applying for external funding and a strong international network, are considered comparative advantages. 
• Have research publications that demonstrate their excellence and broad thinking. 

The Danish Institute for Advanced Study (DIAS) 
DIAS at SDU is a hub for interdisciplinary excellence at and beyond the frontier of knowledge, bringing together outstanding researchers from various disciplines to foster groundbreaking interdisciplinary research and bold innovation. DIAS nurtures a collaborative and curiosity-driven environment, encouraging scholars to think outside the box and challenge conventional boundaries. The institute values open-minded exploration and an ambitious yet collegial atmosphere with a strong sense of community. Researchers affiliated with DIAS are expected to contribute actively to DIAS activities, and engage in interdisciplinary collaborations across faculties and departments, both nationally and internationally.   

About FORM 
FORM is a new initiative, created with the ambition to lead the formalisation of key areas of computing in a universal repository of knowledge and tools verified by proof assistants. Our vision is to unlock the combined potential of humans and artificial intelligence (AI) for the rapid and reliable construction of digital systems, guided by rigorous mathematical foundations. Our current main instrument to pursue this ambition is the Computer Science Library (CSlib) in the Lean programming technology. CSlib is a global effort carried out in collaboration with world-leading stakeholders, and FORM is a key player in CSlib’s steering and technical leadership. 

Hosting department 
FORM is embedded in the Section of Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity, and Programming Languages (ACP), an elite cluster of research groups that fosters collaboration, research excellence, and quality education. FORM and ACP offer ample opportunities for collaboration, personal growth, and mentoring for starting independent research groups. The section’s current research covers a wide range of areas and topics that include symbolic AI and formal methods (logic, theorem provers, type systems, categories, etc.), concurrent programming languages (choreographic programming, session types, etc.), distributed computing (cloud computing, microservices, etc.), Dev(Sec)Ops, software engineering (software product lines), human factors in security and privacy, post-quantum and embedded cryptography, and quantum programming languages. 

 The section is part of the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, and other research sections at the department are  

• Algorithms 
• Computational Science 
• Data Science and Statistics  
• Geometry, Topology and Algebra 
• Learning Experience Design 

 The department offers an inclusive and international working environment with state-of-the-art facilities and strong traditions for collaboration across research groups, departments and faculties, and with other organisations like educational institutions, municipalities, and companies. More information about the department can be found at https://imada.sdu.dk/. 

Additional information
For further information about being a fellow at DIAS, please contact DIAS director Sten Rynning at +45 6550 2193 or via email at director-dias@sdu.dk. 

For more questions about the position, please contact FORM director Fabrizio Montesi at +45 6550 7171 or via email at fmontesi@imada.sdu.dk  

Application, salary, and employment terms 
The candidate will be attached to the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science (campus Odense or Vejle) and is also expected to participate in DIAS activities and interdisciplinary cooperation in Odense regularly. 
The successful applicant will be employed in accordance with the agreement between the Ministry of Finance and the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations (AC). For more details on salary and taxation, please refer to the provided links about salary and taxation. 

Teaching obligations will be reduced compared to a standard assistant professorship at SDU (approximately by 50%), allowing more time for research and leadership activities. 

To qualify for the position as Assistant Professor you must have obtained a PhD or similar degree by the application deadline.  

Application requirements 
The application must include the following: 

• Letter of motivation (max 2 pages) that clearly explains the applicant's interest, qualifications, and motivation for the position. 
• Detailed CV including documentation of experience, and contacts for possible references.  
• An elaborated research and funding plan (max 4 pages) for the next three years including a description of synergy with the department’s activities and the potential to benefit from DIAS’s interdisciplinary environment. 
• Copies of certificates/Diplomas (PhD degree or equivalent). 
• Complete list of publications, indicating which publications are most relevant for the position. 
• Up to 5 of the most relevant research articles – if you submit a monograph, it counts as 3 articles. Please upload a pdf for each publication. For co-authored publications, briefly describe the extent of the co-authorship or your contribution to the publications (please do this for each co-authored publication). You can do so by using this form or by describing the co-authorship in such a way that the committee can assess the extent of your contribution. 
• Applicants are requested to submit a teaching portfolio with the application as documentation for teaching experience as well as supervision qualifications. Formal application instructions and a guide for the teaching portfolio can be found here. 

All application materials must be submitted in English, and only applications written in English will be considered. 

We recommend that international applicants take the time to visit websites of Work in Denmark and the International Staff Office at SDU. Here you can find information and facts about moving to, working and living in Denmark. 

Submission guidelines 

• Files must be submitted in PDF format. 
• If multiple files are needed for a single section, combine them into one PDF file. 
• Zip files, image files (jpg, png, etc.), and password-protected PDF files will not be accepted. All PDF files must be unlocked to allow binding. 
• Applications received after the deadline will not be considered. 

Assessment 
Shortlisting may be used as part of the assessment process. Read about shortlisting at SDU. 

Assessment of applications will be done under the existing Appointment Order for universities. Applications will be assessed by an assessment committee. The committee may request additional information, and, if so, it is the responsibility of the applicant to provide the necessary material.  

When the assessment committee has submitted its report, the applicant will receive the part of the evaluation that concerns them.  

 Applications that are incomplete with regards to the above requirements will not be assessed by the committee. Shortlisting and tests may be used in the assessment process and references may be obtained.  

The Danish tenure-track employment 
The Danish tenure-track employment is a focused assistant professorship with a guaranteed assessment for an open-ended position as an associate professor within the tenure-track assistant professor’s field of study.  Around year 4, a midterm evaluation is conducted by the head of department and two external experts to assess progress. The evaluation provides written feedback and recommendations for the remaining tenure track period.  

Within the 6th year of employment, the tenure-track assistant professor is expected to transition into a position as an associate professor, based on a positive assessment conducted by a formally approved assessment committee. 

Tenure-track assistant professsors are assessed based on their potential to reach the assessment criteria for an associate professorship during the tenure-track period. These criteria are mapped out in the hosting faculty’s policy on academic career and recruitment, specifically the performance indicators on research, teaching, and academic citizenship. 

About SDU 
SDU is committed to fostering a diverse staff that reflects society’s diversity. We welcome applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of personal background. 
SDU was founded in 1966 and now has over 27,000 students, nearly 20% of whom are international. SDU employs more than 3,800 staff and offers 115 study programmes across disciplines such as the humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, health sciences, and engineering. While SDU’s main campus is in Odense, it also has campuses in other locations. 
 
Equal opportunity employment 
The University of Southern Denmark is an equal opportunity employer. We consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, colour, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, age, disability, pregnancy, or any other protected status. 

The University of Southern Denmark wishes our staff to reflect the surrounding community and therefore encourages everyone, regardless of personal background, to apply for the position. SDU conducts research in critical technologies, which, due to the risk of unwanted knowledge transfer, are subject to a number of security measures. Therefore, based on information from open sources, background checks may be conducted on candidates for the position. 

How to apply 
Applications must be submitted electronically via the "Apply online" link provided in the job posting. 

If you experience technical problems, please contact hcm-support@sdu.dk.