Summary
Aalborg University is offering a fully-funded, three-year PhD position within its Department of Energy. This research project focuses on modeling and controlling electrified industrial thermal systems by combining physical models, machine learning, and advanced control strategies. Candidates will collaborate with industrial partners, working with real-world energy systems to develop adaptive, autonomous, and trustworthy digital twins.
Fully-Funded PhD in AI & Energy Systems at Aalborg University, Denmark
Key Details
| Feature | Details |
| Host Institution | Aalborg University |
| Department | Department of Energy |
| Degree Level | PhD (3-year duration) |
| Funding | Monthly salary starting at 31,242.75 DKK + 18.07% pension |
| Start Date | September 15, 2026 (or soon after) |
| Reference Number | 2026/977 |
Subject Area
Energy Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Advanced Control, Applied Mathematics, Physics, Machine Learning, and Scientific AI.
Location
Aalborg Campus, Aalborg University, Denmark.
Eligibility
To qualify for this PhD stipend, applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Hold a relevant Master’s degree.
- Have a strong academic background in energy engineering, mechanical engineering, control systems, applied mathematics, physics, or a related field.
- Demonstrate a strong curiosity about how complex systems work and a comfort level with mathematical modeling and analytical thinking.
- Be highly motivated to combine physical insights with data-driven methods and enjoy building novel models and methods.
- Show the ambition and persistence to tackle difficult problems independently while engaging in an interdisciplinary team.
Scholarship Description
Industrial energy systems are shifting from fossil fuels to fluctuating renewable electricity, requiring them to become dynamic and adaptive. This PhD aims to build the scientific foundation for these future systems by developing physics-informed AI approaches.
You will work at the intersection of thermal energy systems and machine learning to create genuinely useful digital twins for high-temperature, high-power applications (like heat pumps and thermal storage). Day-to-day work will involve:
- Building mathematical and physics-based models for complex thermal systems.
- Developing reduced-order representations suited for real-time online optimization.
- Combining first-principles models with data-driven learning to adapt to varying conditions.
- Designing robust control strategies that operate under real-world constraints.
The project is a collaborative effort with industry partners, providing access to realistic system configurations and operational data. You will be supervised by a complementary team of experts, including Henrik Sørensen, Henrik C. Pedersen, and Anna Lyhne Jensen.
How to Apply
Applications must be submitted online via Aalborg University’s recruitment system (accessible via the job advertisement on the AAU website). Your application package must include:
- Application Letter: Stating your reasons for applying and how your qualifications match the position.
- Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- Diplomas: Copies of your Bachelor’s and Master’s degree diplomas, including transcripts of grades.
- Other Relevant Documents
Last Date to Apply
August 27, 2026
