DIAS professorships in Economics with a focus on applied AI and data science

The Danish Institute for Advanced Study (DIAS) and the Department of Economics at the Faculty of Business and Social Sciences, University of Southern Denmark (SDU) are seeking an exceptional scholar to fill a tenured full professor position, starting August 15, 2026, or as soon as possible thereafter. 

We are looking for an outstanding scholar with an ambitious research agenda in AI-driven methods, applied both to empirical research and to methodological innovation in economics and the social sciences. The successful candidate will employ advanced AI tools to analyze, model, and explain frontier economic and social phenomena.  

The professor will be affiliated with both DIAS and the Department of Economics, actively engaging with multiple and diverse research environments at SDU to foster curiosity-driven research. The position offers an exceptional opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge research while fostering collaboration across disciplines. 

The ideal candidate will have a strong international research profile, a proven record of attracting competitive research funding, and demonstrated ability to push boundaries, challenge conventions, and engage in groundbreaking interdisciplinary research.  

Profile 

We welcome applications from economists who have a deep understanding of AI-related methodologies and who are passionate about using these tools to address pressing economic questions and challenges. The candidate must be committed to engage in collaborative research within the DIAS framework.  

The ideal candidate will demonstrate: 

• Commitment to engaging in boundary-crossing, interdisciplinary research and dialogue. 
• A proven record of internationally competitive research activities at the highest level of ambition. 
• A strong publication record in leading peer-reviewed academic journals. 
• A demonstrated ability to attract significant external funding to support independent and collaborative research initiatives. 
• Active engagement in the international academic community, for example through conference participation and membership in relevant networks. 
• Responsibility for research management. 
• The ability to undertake high-quality teaching and supervision at the undergraduate, graduate, and postgraduate (PhD) levels. 
• Responsibility for program and curriculum development. 
• The capacity to maintain and develop relationships with relevant stakeholders and to actively promote and participate in DIAS activities. 
• A willingness to perform academic, outreach, and administrative tasks, including knowledge dissemination to broader audiences. 

This position is a unique opportunity as it comes with 0.5m DKK in seed money that the successful candidate can use to strengthen their own research area, and it has a reduced teaching load for the first year of employment. 

Qualifications 

Successful applicants must:  

• Hold a PhD or equivalent qualifications in economics or a related field. 
• Exhibit curiosity-driven research excellence, thinking beyond traditional boundaries.  
• Have an international profile and a strong emerging record of research with research publications in highly reputed international academic journals. 
• Have a successful record of attracting research funding. 
• Have demonstrated commitment to mentorship, teaching, and leadership, fostering the next generation of researchers in interdisciplinary research environments. 
• Have proven experience in academic leadership and a consistent track record of successfully contributing to research management, community building, and administrative tasks, including strategy development. 
• Have a solid record of designing and delivering academic teaching and supervision at undergraduate, graduate, and postgraduate (PhD) levels including experience with developing and managing educational programs. 
• Have excellent interpersonal skills to develop and maintain good working relationships. 
• Be able to communicate effectively with a range of audiences. 

Relevant other professional experiences and qualifications in addition to the ones listed above may be considered. Furthermore, the candidate will be evaluated based on the department’s appointment guidelines – see link. 

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, mentor DIAS fellows, and engage in interdisciplinary collaborations across faculties and departments, both nationally and internationally.  

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

The Department of Economics 

The Department of Economics is an international department with a strong tradition for excellence in research and teaching within the various areas of economics. The research, teaching, and dissemination activities are organized within four platforms: Econometrics and Data Science, Economic History, Macroeconomics, and Microeconomics. The professor will be affiliated with one of these platforms. A more elaborate description of the department and the platforms can be found on the department website. 

It is the aim of the department to conduct and disseminate research of the highest international standard, documented through publications in internationally distinguished journals, presentations at international conferences, securing external funding, and dissemination with high visibility and broad societal impact. Furthermore, the department emphasizes high-quality research-based teaching using the most relevant teaching methods to enhance students’ learning. 

The department is responsible for the undergraduate as well as the graduate programmes in Economics and Mathematics-Economics at campus Odense.  The research activities (and the workplace) are situated in Odense. 

Further information about the position can be obtained from Head of Department Associate Professor Lone Grønbæk Jørgensen, Department of Economics, e-mail: lg@sam.sdu.dk or Professor Christian Møller Dahl, e-mail: cmd@sam.sdu.dk. For general questions regarding housing, taxes etc., the SDU’s International Staff Office can assist - see link. 

Application, salary, and employment terms 

This position will be anchored at the Department of Economics in Odense. The successful candidate is also expected to participate actively in DIAS activities and engage in interdisciplinary collaboration at Odense on a regular basis. 

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 professorship at SDU, allowing more time for research and leadership activities. 

Application requirements 

The application must include the following: 

• A motivation letter. 
• A detailed Curriculum Vitae (CV), including contacts for possible references. 
• Copies of relevant certificates/diplomas. 
• A teaching portfolio detailing previous teaching experience (see below). 
• A complete list of publications, highlighting those most relevant to the position. 
• Up to 5 of the most relevant publications, each submitted as a separate PDF file. 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. 
• A research and publication plan 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. 

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

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.  

We recommend that international applicants take the time to visit websites of Work in Denmark and the International Staff Office at SDU. Here you 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 regard to the above requirements will not be assessed by the committee.  

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. 

Applicants are encouraged to read the information "How to apply" before applying. If you experience technical problems when uploading the application, please contact hcm-support@sdu.dk.  

Application deadline: March 2, 2026, at 11.59 PM/23.59 (CET/CEST).