UNIVERSITY OF COPENHAGEN (UCPH), DEPARTMENT OF COMPUTER SCIENCE
University of Copenhagen PhD Fellowship in Interpretable Natural Language Processing
full · phd
- Up to 3 yearsFunding duration (5+3 scheme)
- ~EUR 3,400 / month (est.)Salary under Danish AC agreement
- No tuition feesEmployed as a PhD fellow
- 30 ECTSPhD coursework included
- PhDDegree level funded
- DenmarkWhere you study
At a glance
full
Funding
€50k
Max amount
May 15, 2027
Deadline
Open to applicants of all nationalities
Country
University of Copenhagen (UCPH), Department of Computer Science
Provider
The University of Copenhagen (UCPH) PhD Fellowship in Interpretable Natural Language Processing is a salaried, fully funded doctoral position hosted in the Department of Computer Science and the CopeNLU research group. The fellowship runs for up to 3 years under the Danish 5+3 scheme and is structured as paid employment, not a tuition-paying studentship: the fellow receives a monthly salary and pension under the Danish AC collective agreement, with PhD-level coursework of approximately 30 ECTS included in the programme. The research focuses on methods to interpret and explain the inner workings of NLP models, covering explainable AI, fact-checking and question answering, with supervision from CopeNLU and access to the Pioneer Centre for AI. Founded in 1479, UCPH is the oldest university in Denmark and one of the largest in the Nordic region. Applicants need a Master's degree in computer science, machine learning, artificial intelligence or a related area. Salary bands, pension contributions and the exact application closing time are set each cycle, so confirm the current-cycle figures and deadline on the official UCPH PhD vacancies page before you apply.
What's covered
- Monthly salary — A full PhD salary of around EUR 3,400 (est.) per month, paid under the Danish AC collective agreement, plus a Danish-standard pension contribution on top of the salary.
- No tuition fees — The fellow is employed as a PhD fellow rather than a fee-paying student, so there are no tuition charges for the 3-year programme.
- PhD coursework — Funded PhD-level coursework of approximately 30 ECTS as part of the Danish 5+3 doctoral structure.
- Research and travel support — Funding for international research stays and academic conferences, with an estimated annual mobility budget of around EUR 5,000 (est.) subject to the department's rules.
- Research infrastructure — Access to advanced AI and ML computing resources, including the Pioneer Centre for AI, plus supervision within the CopeNLU group.
- Employee benefits — Standard Danish employment benefits including paid holiday, parental leave and social security as set out in the AC agreement.
How to apply
Applications are submitted through the official University of Copenhagen online recruitment system for the advertised PhD vacancy, in English.
- Check the vacancy and eligibility — Find the Interpretable NLP PhD vacancy on the UCPH employment portal and confirm you meet the Master's degree and NLP/ML background requirements.
- Prepare your documents — Draft a cover letter, a research statement describing your proposed focus, a CV, academic transcripts and degree certificates (with English translation if needed), and a publication list if applicable.
- Submit online — Upload all documents through the UCPH online application system before the closing time stated in the vacancy notice.
- Respond to reference requests — Provide reference letters if requested; these are optional at submission but required for shortlisted candidates.
- Attend an interview if shortlisted — Shortlisted candidates are normally invited to an online or on-site interview with the supervisors before a final decision.
Eligibility
Academic qualificationA Master's degree (MSc) in Computer Science, Machine Learning, Artificial Intelligence or a closely related field, or equivalent qualification, completed before the start date.
Research backgroundA demonstrated strong background in NLP or machine learning, ideally with prior research output, scientific publications or relevant work experience.
Technical skillsExperience with programming and data analysis, and a curiosity-driven motivation to work on interpretable NLP.
LanguageExcellent written and spoken English; the working language of the research group and dissemination is English.
CollaborationStrong teamwork skills and the ability to work within an international, multi-disciplinary research environment.
The 5+3 scheme assumes a completed Master's degree; applicants on the 4+4 track should check the department's separate rules. Reference letters are optional at submission but required for shortlisted candidates.
Eligible countries
Open to applicants of all nationalities
Deadlines
2026/2027 entry~15 May 2026 (est.)
Selection
Candidates are assessed on academic record, the quality of the research statement and its fit with the CopeNLU group's work on interpretability and explainable AI, prior research and publications, and programming and data-analysis skills. Shortlisted applicants are normally interviewed by the main supervisor and co-supervisor before an appointment is made. The position is filled as a salaried PhD employment under Danish university hiring rules.
Verified sources
- PhD vacancies - University of Copenhagenemployment.ku.dkofficial
- Department of Computer Science - University of Copenhagendi.ku.dkofficial
About the provider
The University of Copenhagen, founded in 1479, is the oldest university in Denmark and one of the largest research universities in the Nordic region. Its Department of Computer Science hosts the CopeNLU research group and is affiliated with the Pioneer Centre for AI, focusing on machine learning, NLP and responsible AI development.
Frequently asked questions
Answers below are best-effort estimates from the most recent application cycle. Values marked ~ or (est.) may shift year-to-year — confirm specifics on the official scholarship page.
Who can apply for the UCPH Interpretable NLP PhD fellowship?
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Applicants of any nationality who hold (or will hold) a Master's degree in computer science, machine learning, AI or a related field, with a strong background in NLP or ML.
Is this a scholarship or a salaried job?
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It is a salaried PhD employment. You are hired as a PhD fellow under the Danish AC collective agreement rather than enrolled as a fee-paying student, so you receive a monthly salary and pension.
How long does the fellowship last?
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It runs for up to 3 years under the Danish 5+3 doctoral scheme.
How much is the salary?
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The monthly salary is around EUR 3,400 (est.) under the AC agreement, plus pension. Confirm the exact current-cycle salary band on the official UCPH PhD vacancies page.
Are there tuition fees?
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No. As a PhD fellow you are employed, not a fee-paying student, so there are no tuition fees.
What research area does it cover?
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Interpretable Natural Language Processing, including explainable AI, fact-checking and question answering, within the CopeNLU research group.
Do I need a Master's degree to apply?
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Yes. The 5+3 scheme assumes a completed Master's (MSc) in a relevant field before the start date.
What language do I need?
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Excellent written and spoken English; you do not need Danish for the research itself.
Is there funding for conferences and research stays?
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Yes. The position includes support for international research stays and academic conferences, alongside access to AI and ML computing resources.
How do I apply?
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Through the official University of Copenhagen online recruitment system for the advertised PhD vacancy, submitting a cover letter, research statement, CV, transcripts and a publication list if applicable.
Will there be an interview?
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Usually. Shortlisted candidates are normally invited to an online or on-site interview with the supervisors.
What is the application deadline?
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Around 15 May 2026 (est.), with the fellowship starting about 1 September 2026. Confirm the exact closing time on the official UCPH PhD vacancies page.