AI:X is an ambitious initiative at Aalborg University that aims to advance AI research and create real-world impact through interdisciplinary collaboration. Nine labs will be initiated in 2026 with a total of 18 PhD stipends.

The AI:GENE-XPLAIN Lab is part of the AI:X initiative (read more here: link) with two PhD stipends and is a collaboration between the Department of Culture and Communication, the Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities and the Center for Clinical Data Science (CLINDA), Department of Clinical Medicine, the Faculty of Medicine.

AI:GENE-XPLAIN develops AI tools that predict genetic cancer risk and help explain these risks to people in a clear and safe way. One part of the project builds AI models that can predict the risk of several cancers at once and explain how genes influence that risk. Another part studies how people understand and react to these predictions, so the information supports good decisions without causing unnecessary worry.

The two stipends are open for appointment from 15 August 2026 or soon hereafter. The duration of the position is three years.

The lab is looking for candidates for the following two stipends.

Stipend 1: AI-Based Genetic Risk Prediction (AI-focused)
This position focuses on developing cutting-edge AI methods for genetic risk prediction across multiple cancer types, with a strong focus on model performance and explainability. The project will involve designing a transformer-based foundation model for genetic data, with an integrated prediction layer for colorectal cancer screening. Subsequently, the framework will be extended to multi-task learning for multi-cancer risk prediction. To develop these models, you will have access to unique biobank data containing genetic information linked to Danish registry data for approximately 250,000 individuals. You will also work on incorporating explainability features identified by the AI-integrated PhD to support risk-based cancer screening and ensure clinical relevance and usability.
Genetic risk predictions from the model will be used by the AI-integrated PhD to examine how individuals’ behavior and psychological safety are affected. The ideal candidate has completed, or is about to complete, a master’s degree in computer science, mathematics, statistics, IT, engineering, biotechnology, bioinformatics, economics, or a related field. Experience with programming in Linux environments, Python and/or R, and ability to manage and structure large datasets is essential. Interest/skills in application of AI methods to clinical data is an advantage.

Stipend 2: Genetic Risk Communication and Psychological Safety (AI-integrated)
This position focuses on understanding how individuals and clinicians perceive, interpret, and respond to AI-generated genetic risk predictions, and on developing communication strategies that support informed decision-making and psychological safety at scale. You will conduct studies involving questionnaires and interviews with a representative sample of the adult population and clinicians, interviews with individuals from colorectal cancer screening programmes with high-risk results, and an intervention study examining the effects of receiving genetic risk information on behaviour and quality of life.
Your insights will directly shape the explainability features developed in the AI-focused PhD project. The ideal candidate holds a master's degree in psychology or is in the process of completing one. Experience with qualitative methods and an interest in health behaviour, risk communication, or clinical psychology is essential. Some clinical experience is an advantage.

Your competencies:
For both stipends, we value a genuine interest in the societal implications of AI in healthcare, the ability to work independently and as part of a team, and strong written and oral communication skills in English.
Given the interdisciplinary nature of the project, we are looking for candidates who are intellectually curious, collaborative, and motivated to work across disciplinary boundaries. You are comfortable engaging with both technical and humanistic perspectives and communicate effectively with researchers and clinical partners from diverse backgrounds.

Qualification requirements:
PhD stipends are allocated to individuals who hold a Master's degree. PhD stipends are normally for a period of 3 years. It is a prerequisite for allocation of the stipend that the candidate will be enrolled as a PhD student at the Doctoral School in Medicine, Biomedical Science and Technology (stipend 1) or the Doctoral School of Social Sciences and Humanities (stipend 2) in accordance with the regulations of Ministerial Order No. 1124 of September 19, 2025 on the PhD Programme at the Universities and Certain Higher Artistic Educational Institutions. According to the Ministerial Order, the progress of the PhD student shall be assessed at regular points in time.

As part of the PhD study, you are among other things required to complete PhD courses corresponding to 30 ECTS, gain experience with teaching or other forms of knowledge dissemination and complete an external research stay outside of Aalborg University, preferably 3-6 months at a foreign research institution.

Who we are:
The AI:GENE-XPLAIN Lab is led by Lab Directors Anne Krogh Nøhr and Chalotte Glintborg (AAU) and is mentored by Martin Bøgsted. The lab brings together researchers in statistical genetics and AI (Anne Krogh Nøhr and Rasmus Brøndum, AAU), clinical implementation of AI (Martin Bøgsted, AAU), and psychology (Chalotte Glintborg and Cecilie Marie Schmidt Thøgersen, AAU).
Key collaborators include clinical cancer genetics specialists from Aalborg University Hospital, screening programme experts from Aarhus University Hospital, biobank experts from Rigshospitalet, and international foundation model researchers from University of Oxford.

You will join a collaborative, internationally connected research environment with access to unique Danish biobank data and strong clinical partnerships. The two PhD projects are closely linked through shared workshops, bimonthly project meetings, and annual meetings with international collaborators.

How to apply:
Your application must include the following:

o Application, stating reasons for applying and qualifications in relation to the position

o Curriculum Vitae (CV)

o Diplomas for the Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees (the Master’s degree may be completed or expected to be completed shortly), including grades.

o If you are applying for stipend 2: Project description containing the research project title, an outline of the course of study and a description of the overall problem areas (approx. 8 pages, 1 page = 2400 typing units)

o If you are applying for stipend 2: Applicants WHO are planning to complete a doctoral thesis in English and who do not have English as a first language or WHO have not completed an English language-based Master's programme (or an equivalent educational achievement in English) shall provide documentation that they have passed one of the following official tests with the respective minimum score: IELTS (band score): 7, TOEFL (paper-based): 600, TOEFL (internet-based): 100. The language test must be no more than five years old at the time of the application.

o If you are applying for stipend 2: Applicants must have achieved the grade 10 or above in the Danish grading system (or the equivalent in a different grading system) for their Master’s Thesis/final exam. The PhD candidate may be exempted from the grade requirement, if he/she is able to provide other forms of documentation of his/her qualifications.

o Other relevant documents

The application must be submitted via Aalborg University’s recruitment system, which can be accessed under the job advertisement on Aalborg University's website.

Aalborg University wants to reflect the surrounding society and has diversity as a core value. Therefore, everyone, regardless of personal background and orientation, is encouraged to apply for the position.

Do you have any questions?
If you have any questions about the position, you are more than welcome to contact us. You will find contact persons at the bottom of the jobpost.

We expect to conduct interviews in weeks 18 and 19.

Further information
Read more about our recruitment process here.

The assessment of candidates for the position will be carried out by qualified experts.
Shortlisting will be applied. This means that after the application deadline, the head of the department, with the assistance of the hiring committee, will select the applicants to be assessed. All applicants will be informed whether they have been shortlisted for assessment or not.

The hiring process at Aalborg University may include a risk assessment as a tool to identify potential risks associated with new hires, ensuring the safety, compliance, and integrity of the workplace.

Read more about The Doctoral School in Medicine, Biomedical Science and Technology

Read more about The Doctoral School of Social Sciences and Humanities

Salary and terms of employment
The employment is in accordance with the Ministerial Order on the Appointment of Academic Staff at Universities (the Appointment Order) and the Ministerial Order on Job Structure for Academic Staff at Universities (in Danish).

Salary and terms of employment are in accordance with the collective agreement between the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations and the state (AC collective agreement) (in Danish)

There is a mutual probationary period of 3 months for the position.

Aalborg University - Knowledge for the world
Aalborg University is an international workplace with more than 3,700 employees. We offer real-world-oriented education and create world-class research results through collaboration between researchers, students, and public and private companies. This is how we achieve insights, new solutions to societal problems, and knowledge that changes the world. Our main campus is in Aalborg, but we also have campuses in Esbjerg and Copenhagen.