Postdoctoral Research Fellow - Human-Centered AI for Data Visualization at Computer Science, Aarhus University

The Department of Computer Science at Aarhus University (Denmark) invites applications for a 36-month Postdoctoral Research Fellow position focused on Human-Centered AI for Data Visualization. The position is funded by the Center for Anytime Anywhere Analytics (CA3).

The starting date is 15 November 2026, or as soon as possible thereafter. 

Department Description

The Department of Computer Science at Aarhus University is ranked among the top CS departments in Europe. The department is strong in both theoretical and applied computer science. We pride ourselves on close cooperation between different research groups, even those which have traditionally been perceived as being far from each other. Many of the department's research targets themes and application areas that are interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary in nature. The Department is located at Åbogade 34, 8200 Aarhus N, Denmark. 

The Center for Anytime Anywhere Analytics (CA3) at Aarhus University, led by Professor Niklas Elmqvist, is funded by a Villum Investigator grant. Our mission is to utilize data collected globally and empower users to access and analyze it anywhere. We build on data visualization, human-computer interaction, and AI to create analytics experiences that are reliable, accessible, and embedded into the user's environment.

Role Description

This is a full-time (37 hours/week) on-site role located in Aarhus, Denmark for a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the Department of Computer Science, Aarhus University. The position is limited to 3 years (36 months). The postdoctoral fellow will conduct research on human-centered AI for data visualization as part of the CA3 center. The focus of the position will be on making visual analytics more reliable and more accessible through the integration of AI and machine learning methods—including large language models—into the visualization pipeline.

Responsibilities

• Lead research projects within the intersection of data visualization, human-centered AI (HCA), and human-computer interaction (HCI).
• Develop AI-assisted visualization tools that integrate large language models into the analytical workflow, for example to elicit domain knowledge, generate queries, or support mixed-initiative sensemaking.
• Design and conduct empirical studies on the reliability and trustworthiness of AI-augmented visualization systems.
• Collaborate with faculty members and fellow researchers across the CA3 center and the broader HCC section at Aarhus University.
• Contribute to grant writing and research proposals in human-centered AI and visual analytics.
• Provide guidance and mentorship to graduate and undergraduate students working on related research projects.
• Publish research findings in top-tier conferences and journals (e.g., IEEE VIS, ACM CHI, EuroVis, TVCG).
• Participate in academic activities such as seminars, workshops, and conferences.

Required Qualifications

• Ph.D. in computer science, informatics, or a closely related field (by the start date).
• Strong publication record in data visualization, visual analytics, human-computer interaction, or human-centered AI (e.g., IEEE VIS, TVCG, CHI, EuroVis).
• Experience developing research software and computational tools (e.g., web technologies, Python libraries, client/server systems).
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to work effectively in a collaborative research environment.
• Ability to work independently and demonstrate initiative in formulating and executing research projects.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience integrating AI/ML methods (particularly large language models) into visualization or analytics systems.
• Track record of open-source software development.
• Experience with empirical research methods, including user studies and perceptual experiments.
• Experience organizing academic workshops, tutorials, or other community activities.

Contact information 

For further information contact Professor Niklas Elmqvist ([email protected]). 

Deadline 

All applications must be received no later than 1 September 2026.

Application procedure

Shortlisting is used. This means that after the deadline for applications – and with the assistance from the assessment committee chairman, and the appointment committee if necessary, – the head of department selects the candidates to be evaluated. All applicants will be notified whether or not their applications have been sent to an expert assessment committee for evaluation. The selected applicants will be informed about the composition of the committee, and each applicant is given the opportunity to comment on the part of the assessment that concerns him/her self. 

Formalities and salary range

Natural Sciences refers to the Ministerial Order on the Appointment of Academic Staff at Danish Universities under the Danish Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation.

The application must be in English and include a curriculum vitae, degree certificate, a complete list of publications, a statement of future research plans and information about research activities, teaching portfolio and verified information on previous teaching experience (if any). Guidelines for applicants can be found here.

Appointment shall be in accordance with the collective labour agreement between the Danish Ministry of Taxation and the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations. Further information on qualification requirements and job content may be found in the Memorandum on Job Structure for Academic Staff at Danish Universities.

Salary depends on seniority as agreed between the Danish Ministry of Taxation and the Confederation of Professional Associations.

Aarhus University’s ambition is to be an attractive and inspiring workplace for all and to foster a culture in which each individual has opportunities to thrive, achieve and develop. We view equality and diversity as assets, and we welcome all applicants.

Research activities will be evaluated in relation to actual research time. Thus, we encourage applicants to specify periods of leave without research activities, in order to be able to subtract these periods from the span of the scientific career during the evaluation of scientific productivity.

Aarhus University offers a broad variety of services for international researchers and accompanying families, including relocation service and career counselling to expat partners. Read more here. Please find more information about entering and working in Denmark here.
 
Aarhus University also offers a Junior Researcher Development Programme targeted at career development for postdocs at AU. You can read more about it here.

At the Faculty of Natural Science at Aarhus University, we strive to support our scientific staff in their career development. We focus on competency development and career clarification and want to make your opportunities transparent. On our website, you can find information on all types of scientific positions, as well as the entry criteria we use when assessing candidates. You can also read more about how we can assist you in your career planning and development.

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