PhD position in Computer Science and Statistics for the HORIZON-MSCA Doctoral Network ‘AlignAI’ for the use of LLMs and GenAI in Mental Health Context - DTU Compute

Are you interested in investigating the responsible and innovative use of Large Language Models (LLMs) and generative AI (GenAI) in mental health? If so, this PhD position could be the perfect opportunity for you. You will have the opportunity to work collaboratively within the HORIZON-MSCA AlignAI network and work closely with leading experts in the field, gaining hands-on experience with cutting-edge research at the intersection of Computer Science, statistics and Mental Health.

More about the Project
We are seeking a PhD student to join our research team as part of a prestigious Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) Doctoral Network (DN) project: AlignAI (https://alignai.eu/ ). The AlignAI Doctoral Network aims to train doctoral candidates in the interdisciplinary Large Language Model (LLM) research field. It focuses on aligning these models with human values to ensure their development and deployment are ethically sound and socially beneficial. By integrating expertise from social sciences, humanities, and technical disciplines, the project will address critical issues such as explainability and fairness, ensuring LLMs contribute positively to education, mental health, and news consumption.

Responsibilities and qualifications
The PhD student will focus on the Positive Mental Health use case, towards the development of AI mental health assistants for mental health workers, patients, and patients’ caregivers that summarizes medical journal entries, takes journal notes, and spares on diagnostic criteria and treatment planning. Furthermore, the candidate will develop frameworks for the evaluation and auditing of LLMs. The student will work at DTU with assistant prof. Sneha Das (principal supervisor) and prof. Line Clemmensen (co-supervisor) and closely with senior researcher Nicole Lønfeldt (the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) in the Capital Region of Denmark) and advisors from Datacation.

Your primary tasks will be to:

• Conduct research as outlined in the project’s objectives on LLM alignment for mental health.
• Engage in secondments as part of the project’s training activities. You will have the option to carry secondments with CAMHC and Datacation.
• Contribute to academic publications, project reports, and other dissemination activities and present at conferences both at national and international level.
• Participate in structured training programs and network-wide events organised by the consortium.
• Collaborate with international partners and other Doctoral Candidates within the network.

The ideal candidate will have (but not limited to):

• A master’s degree (or equivalent, 120 ECTS points) in Computer science, Data Science, statistics, ML and AI or a related field, with strong interdisciplinary insights bridging AI and mental health.
• Experience with LLMs and GenAI, with a demonstrated capacity for independent research.
• Strong coding skills in Python and familiarity with ML frameworks (e.g., PyTorch, TensorFlow) and data analysis tools (e.g., R, MATLAB).
• Interest in the ethical aspects of AI, a sensitivity to the technical, policy and regulatory challenges of applying AI in mental health; experience in interdisciplinary research or interest in working at the intersection of technology and healthcare.
• Excellent communication, collaboration, and analytical skills, with the ability to engage with diverse stakeholders and contribute to research dissemination (e.g., publications, presentations).

Eligibility Criteria

• Doctoral Status: You must not have a doctoral degree on the date of recruitment.
• Mobility Rule: You must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in Denmark for more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately before recruitment date.
• Doctoral Programme approval and enrollment: You must be willing to enrol in a doctoral programme at DTU. The scholarship for the PhD degree is subject to academic approval, and the candidate will be enrolled in one of the general degree programmes at DTU. For information about our enrolment requirements and the general planning of the PhD study programme, please see DTU's rules for the PhD education.
• Full-Time Commitment: The position requires full-time commitment with a physical presence at the recruiting institution. Teleworking is not permitted.

We offer
DTU is a leading technical university globally recognized for the excellence of its research, education, innovation and scientific advice. We offer a rewarding and challenging job in an international environment. We strive for academic excellence in an environment characterized by collegial respect and academic freedom tempered by responsibility.  Depending on seniority and eligibility to allowances, the monthly salary begins around 29.191,17 DKK (approx. 3,913 EUR) plus pension as a PhD fellow. The allowance are:

• Mobility Allowance: Additional monthly allowance for living costs related to relocation.
• Other Allowances: Family allowance, long-term leave allowance, and special needs allowance   
• Professional Development: Access to high-quality training, networking opportunities, and career development support.

Salary and appointment terms 
The appointment will be based on the collective agreement with the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations. The allowance will be agreed upon with the relevant union. 

The period of employment is 3 years. Starting date is 1st of April 2025 or soon thereafter according to mutual agreement. The position is a full-time position.

You can read more about career paths at DTU here http://www.dtu.dk/english/about/job-and-career/working-at-dtu/career-paths.

Further information
Further information may be obtained from Sneha Das ([email protected]) or Line Clemmensen ([email protected]).

You can read more about DTU Compute at www.compute.dtu.dk.

If you are applying from abroad, you may find useful information on working in Denmark and at DTU at DTU – Moving to Denmark . Furthermore, you have the option of joining our monthly free seminar “PhD relocation to Denmark and startup “Zoom” seminar ” for all questions regarding the practical matters of moving to Denmark and working as a PhD at DTU.

Application procedure 
Your complete online application must be submitted no later than 31 December 2024 23:59 (Danish time) . Applications must be submitted as one PDF file containing all materials to be given consideration. To apply, please open the link "Apply now", fill out the online application form, and attach all your materials in English in one PDF file . The file must include:

• A letter motivating the application (cover letter with e.g., why are you interested in this project and/or what will you bring to this project. Max two pages)
• Curriculum vitae 
• Contact information for two references
• Grade transcripts and BSc/MSc diploma (in English) including official description of grading scale
• If relevant, you may add additional documents such as letters of recommendation, scientific papers or other scientific publications you have authored or co-authored.

Candidates may be required to provide proof of residency history and eligibility criteria.

You may apply prior to obtaining your master's degree but cannot begin before having received it.

Applications received after the deadline will not be considered.

Selection Criteria: Candidates will be evaluated based on their academic background, research experience, and alignment with the project’s objectives. The selection process will be open, transparent, merit-based, impartial, and equitable. All interested candidates irrespective of age, gender, disability, race, religion or ethnic background are encouraged to apply. As DTU works with research in critical technology, which is subject to special rules for security and export control, open-source background checks may be conducted on qualified candidates for the position.

Interview: Shortlisted candidates will be invited for a structured interview with predefined questions and a scoring system.

The timeline: The successful candidates will be invited for interviews by the 8 January 2025, and the final decision will be made by 31 January 2025.

Reserve List: A reserve list of top candidates may be created for future opportunities.

Selection Committee: The selection committee will comprise diverse experts ensuring gender balance, nationality diversity, and relevant experience.

Additional Information
VISA Support: Where applicable, assistance with VISA and relocation procedures will be provided.
Note: The recruitment process will adhere strictly to the European Charter for Researchers principles and the Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers.

DTU Compute is a unique and internationally recognized academic department with 385 employees and 11 research sections spanning the science disciplines mathematics, statistics, computer science, and engineering. We conduct research, teaching and innovation of high international standard – producing new knowledge and technology-based solutions to societal challenges. We have a long-term involvement in applied and interdisciplinary research, big data and data science, artificial intelligence (AI), internet of things (IoT), smart and secure societies, smart manufacturing, and life science. At DTU Compute we believe in a diverse workplace with a flexible work-life balance.

Technology for people
DTU develops technology for people. With our international elite research and study programmes, we are helping to create a better world and to solve the global challenges formulated in the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Hans Christian Ørsted founded DTU in 1829 with a clear mission to develop and create value using science and engineering to benefit society. That mission lives on today. DTU has 13,500 students and 6,000 employees. We work in an international atmosphere and have an inclusive, evolving, and informal working environment. DTU has campuses in all parts of Denmark and in Greenland, and we collaborate with the best universities around the world.