PhD Position on Adaptive Systems for Sustainable Computing

A PhD position is available at the University of Southern Denmark (SDU) in the Software Engineering section of the Maersk Mc-Kinney Moller Institute (MMMI). The successful candidate will contribute to developing intelligent agent that supervises energy-efficient compute offloading over distributed edge and cloud. 

The application deadline is December 12, 2025, 2025 at 11.59 PM / 23.59 CEST.

Introduction

The SDU Software Engineering section at the Maersk Mc-Kinney Moller Institute (Faculty of Engineering) invites applications for a PhD position in the reducing the energy and emissions footprint of software systems, starting February 1, 2026, or as soon as possible thereafter.

As global ICT-related emissions rise and energy regulations tighten, modern applications and infrastructures must become significantly more energy-efficient. Many promising approaches exist such as energy-aware scheduling, carbon-aware load balancing, and adaptive application reconfiguration. However, current methods are either static, rely on heavy offline training, or fail to adapt to changing environments. This PhD project will develop intelligent software agents capable of autonomously optimizing applications during runtime to reduce energy use and carbon emissions.

What we offer

We offer a dynamic and supportive research environment within an internationally recognized institute. You will join an open, collaborative team that values teamwork, professional diligence, and innovation. The Software Engineering section provides flexible work conditions and strong support for individual development, including mentorship and opportunities to expand your skills and responsibilities.

As part of the Maersk Mc-Kinney Moller Institute, our section is involved in a variety of national and European research projects and enjoys a robust network of academic and industrial partners. This position provides an opportunity to engage with these collaborations and work on real-world challenges. We encourage and support our staff to publish their research in renowned journals and conferences, and to engage in knowledge exchange with colleagues and external research and industrial partners. The working language is English, and we pride ourselves on a diverse, inclusive, and inspiring workplace that fosters personal and professional growth.

What we expect

We are looking for a highly motivated candidate who meets the following qualifications and characteristics:

• Master’s degree in Software Engineering, Computer Science, Embedded Systems, Artificial Intelligence, or a closely related field.
• Strong programming and system integration skills in languages and platforms (e.g., C/C++, Python, real-time operating systems).
• Research experience in artificial intelligence, real-time control systems, or adaptive system architectures.
• Familiarity with or interest in runtime reconfiguration techniques and system safety considerations.
• Experience working with machine learning methods for control, perception, or decision-making in physical systems is an advantage.
• Knowledge of or a passion for sustainable computing or sustainability-related projects will be considered an advantage.
• Proficiency in English (written and spoken) and excellent communication skills.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in an interdisciplinary team.
• A strong research potential.

Workplace description

The PhD will be employed in the Software Engineering section at the Maersk Mc-Kinney Moller Institute (MMMI), SDU. MMMI is an internationally recognized research institute within the Faculty of Engineering, known for its contributions to software engineering, robotics, and artificial intelligence. The Software Engineering section encompasses a range of research areas in software development, data analytics, and intelligent systems, and it plays a key role in several ongoing European projects.

Our workplace is truly international and collaborative. Researchers in the section come from diverse backgrounds and work closely together on cross-disciplinary projects. We benefit from state-of-the-art facilities and a strong administrative and technical support structure. The institute maintains close collaboration with other departments and centers at SDU, as well as with industry partners, providing a vibrant environment where theoretical research meets practical application. The position will be located on SDU’s Odense campus, which offers an attractive setting and a rich campus life in the city of Odense, Denmark’s hub for robotics and technology development.

Further information

For further information about the position, please contact Associate Professor Mahyar Tourchi Moghaddam (email: mtmo@mmmi.sdu.dk). If you experience technical problems with the online application process, please contact SDU’s HR support at hcm-support@sdu.dk.

Conditions of employment

Appointment as a PhD fellow is a 3-year salaried position, and the monthly gross salary incl. pension is 36.608 DKK. If you have relevant postgraduate experience, you may be placed on a higher salary step.

Applicants must hold a master’s degree (equivalent to a Danish master's degree) at the time of enrollment and employment. Employment is contingent on enrollment approved by the PhD School. Enrollment will be in accordance with Faculty regulations and the Danish Ministerial Order on the PhD Programme at the Universities (PhD order). Employment will be in accordance with the collective agreement between the Ministry of Finance and the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations for academics in the state with the associated circular on the job structure for academic staff at Danish universities and the provisions for PhD fellows as described herein as well as the Protocol on PhD fellows signed by the Danish Ministry of Finance and the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations (AC). Further information about salary and conditions of employment. The person employed in the position may, based on a specific individual managerial evaluation, be exempted from time registration, also known as a “self-organizer”.

Assessment and selection process

Read about the assessment and selection process on our website. Applications will be evaluated by an assessment committee. Shortlisting may be applied, which means that only the most qualified candidates will be fully assessed, and only shortlisted applicants will receive a detailed written assessment of their application (Read about shortlisting at SDU). Interviews, technical, and aptitude tests may be part of the selection process for final candidates.

Application procedure

Applicants are advised to carefully read the Faculty information for prospective PhD students and the SDU information on how to apply before applying.

Please include the following documents in English as part of your application:

• Motivated application (cover letter).
• Curriculum Vitae.
• Master’s and bachelor’s degree certificates or equivalent, including transcripts of grades (copy of original/official English translation).  
• List of publications if any, including any submitted paper.
• Examples of publications most relevant to the position – please attach max 2 full-text publications.
• In addition, you may include the following (highly recommended):
  • Summary of teaching experience or pedagogical qualifications.
  • Reference letters and/or contact information for references.
  • Link to GitHub.
  • Any other documentation highlighting relevant qualifications for the position.

UPLOAD GUIDE: Please note that the motivated application must be uploaded under “Cover letter”, the CV under “Resume”, and all other documents under “Miscellaneous” attachments in the SDU online recruitment system. All documents must be in PDF format.

The application deadline is December 12, 2025, at 11.59 PM / 23.59 CEST.

Formalities

Documents must not contain any CPR number (Danish personal identification number). If a CPR number is included in any document, please redact (black out) that line before uploading.

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.

International applicants and others needing information on moving to Denmark can find details about entering and working in Denmark on SDU’s website (see the “International Staff” section) and through resources like WorkinDenmark.

Further information about the SDU Faculty of Engineering and its departments can be found on the university’s official website.

We look forward to receiving your application.