Are you excited about scientific AI and developing efficient computer vision methods for analysis of complex 3D scans of natural heritage samples? Join our interdisciplinary team as a postdoc to develop advanced segmentation and other analysis methods for a novel robotic micro-CT system that will transform how natural history collections are digitized and studied. You will have the opportunity to conduct high-impact research in computer vision for 3D volumetric images, contribute to widely used open-source software, collaborate with leading researchers in physics and natural history, and publish your work while helping build technology with lasting scientific impact.
Responsibilities and qualifications
We are looking for a highly motivated early-career researcher in advanced image segmentation methods to join our imaging research group and project “Natural Heritage 3D”. This collaborative project between Visual Computing @ DTU Compute, DTU Physics, Copenhagen University, and the Natural History Museum aims to develop a fully automated robotic computed tomography system along with computational methods to enable 3D digitization of large collections of natural history specimens.
The Natural History Museum has millions of natural specimens collected over 400 years, which provide an enormous source of information on natural history. CT scans provide a unique method to visualize internal features in 3D in a fully non-destructive manner. In an effort towards digitizing collections and unlocking hidden information on an unprecedented scale, an automated CT system is being developed to scan and analyse large quantities of such specimens. Selected science cases include seal and polar bear craniums as well as snakes and lizards preserved in alcohol.
In addition to experimental CT scan equipment, a key component is the computational pipeline to turn acquired CT projections through reconstruction and image analysis into digital volumes and extract relevant quantitative data. Given the large quantities of specimens, scanning needs to be fast and automated, which demands state-of-the-art reconstruction and analysis methods to handle the data arising from very fast scans taken with few and noisy projections. The focus of this postdoc position is the segmentation and quantification steps, conducting research, and developing suitable analysis methods to produce measurements of the structures in the 3D volumetric images of natural heritage specimens. Our robotic micro-CT system at the DTU 3D Imaging Center enables scanning of thousands of samples, so we will focus on scalability and statistics at a scale beyond current state-of-the-art.
Your primary activities include:
This role is part of the QIM Center for Quantification of Imaging Data (https://qim.dk/). As part of QIM, you will be interacting with a large imaging network in connection with large-scale facilities such as MAX IV, ESS, DTU 3D Imaging Center, and other facilities internationally. In conjunction with research and open-source software development, the role involves tasks in relation to the QIM Center, including participating in and contributing to training and hackathon events, interacting with users, helping with event organization, etc. From experience, this enables involvement in strong collaborative research projects on both theoretical and practical imaging problems and a pathway to impact of the computational methods developed.
Strong candidates for this position are expected to have:
As a formal qualification, you must hold a PhD degree (or equivalent). If you are close to completing a PhD degree, your application must include a written statement from your main supervisor confirming that you are expected to complete the PhD by 1. November 2026.
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.
Salary and terms of employment
The appointment will be based on the collective agreement with the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations. In addition, supplements can be negotiated in accordance with DTU’s salary structure for scientific staff: https://www.inside.dtu.dk/en/human-resources/during-employment/salary/salary-structures
The period of employment is 2 years. Starting date is expected to be 1. November 2026 or soon thereafter. The position is full-time.
You can read more about career paths at DTU here
Further information
Further information may be obtained from Associate Professor Jakob Sauer Jørgensen ( jakj@dtu.dk), Department of Applied Mathematics and Computer Science, Technical University of Denmark.
You can read more at https://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
Application procedure
Your complete online application must be submitted no later than 15 September 2026 (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:
Applications received after the deadline will not be considered.
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.
DTU Compute – Department of Mathematics and Computer Science – is an internationally recognised academic environment with over 400 employees and 10 research sections. We broadly cover digital technologies within mathematics, data science, computer science, and computer engineering, including artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, internet of things (IoT), chip design, cybersecurity, human-computer interaction, social networks, fairness, and data ethics. Our research is rooted in basic research and centres on mathematical models of the physical and virtual world, as a basis for the analysis, design, and implementation of complex systems. We focus on ensuring that our research results contribute to creating a better society by supporting areas such as health, green transition, energy supply, and life science. We collaborate with universities, public and private organisations, and companies in Denmark and abroad, and through DTU’s startup ecosystem, we encourage innovation and entrepreneurship. We have a strong ethical, human, and sustainable approach that ensures integrity in our work. Therefore, we strive for and take responsibility for driving the democratisation of digital technologies, so that everyone has the opportunity to actively participate in the development, and we ensure a continued open, democratic, and inclusive society for the benefit of all. At DTU Compute, we value diversity, inclusion, and a flexible work-life balance.
DTU – For the benefit of society since 1829
DTU is one of Europe's leading elite technical universities. Through research and education at an international top level, we create solutions to the major societal challenges of our time and help secure Europe's global leadership in sustainable technological development. Since Hans Christian Ørsted founded DTU almost 200 years ago, our mission has remained the same: We develop and create value through the natural and technical sciences for the benefit of society. DTU has 13,800 students, 1,600 PhD students, and 6,500 employees. We work in an international environment and have an inclusive, stimulating, and informal work culture. DTU has campuses in all parts of Denmark and in Greenland and collaborates with the best universities around the world.
