The SPARC team at the IT University of Copenhagen welcomes applications from aspiring postdocs in the area of Maritime Operations Research with focus on container vessel stowage planning optimization. Starting in September 2026 or soon thereafter.

The Project
The SPARC group focuses on maritime operations research in the area of container vessels stowage planning optimization and related topics including representative problem formulation, cargo forecasting, and benchmark data suites. The postdoc position focuses on using reinforcement learning to guide stowage optimization algorithms based on large neighborhood search. In addition the postdoc will contribute academically to the Maritime Hub initiative at the IT University.

The postdoc will be mentored by PI Rune Møller Jensen, Associate Professor in Data Science at the IT University of Copenhagen.

Job description
Responsibilities include:

• Contribute to the advancement of groundbreaking research with crucial maritime operational impact,
• Coauthor scientific papers aimed at high-impact journals, participate in international conferences, and participate in advanced university classes to learn new skills,
• Collaborate with great collaborators with scientific as well as industrial backgrounds,
• Contribute academically to the Maritime Hub initiative at the IT University.

To succeed, you should have the following required skills:

• You have a PhD degree in computer science with an operations research focus at the time the postdoc position starts,
• You are an experienced programmer, e.g. in Python,
• You have a deep understanding of combinatorial optimization algorithms,
• You have a deep understanding of modern reinforcement learning techniques,
• You are familiar with the maritime logistics domain.

Experience with the following concepts will be positively evaluated: large-scale combinatorial optimization and container vessel stowage planning optimization.

About the team
The SPARC group has more than 20 years of experience developing stowage optimization algorithms. It has close ties to major carriers like Maersk, CMA CGM, and ONE, as well as their suppliers. It participates in international initiatives on data standardization, such as SMDG under IMO. On the Danish scene, SPARC collaborates with the Danish Maritime Fund and the Maritime Research Alliance. SPARC has educated more PhDs and published more peer-reviewed papers on container vessel stowage optimization than any other entity worldwide.

General information
The IT University of Copenhagen (ITU) is a teaching and research-based university specializing in information technology (IT) and the opportunities it offers. The IT University has more than 160 full-time Faculty members. Research and teaching in information technology span all academic activities which involve computers including computer science, information and media sciences, humanities and social sciences, business impact and the commercialization of IT.

Research at the IT University of Copenhagen
Our research is organized through dynamic research groups, centers, hubs, and labs that promote collaboration across disciplines. These units explore complex challenges at the intersection of people, technology, and society, contributing both to fundamental insights and practical solutions. At ITU, we see research as a shared endeavor – open, critically engaged, and rooted in dialogue with academic communities, industry, and the public sector. We actively pursue international partnerships and networks, and our interdisciplinary approach ensures that our research not only advances knowledge but also generates impact beyond academia.

Teaching at the IT University of Copenhagen
ITU currently offers four BSc degrees, six MSc degrees and one professional master’s degree, spanning across these disciplines. ITU's education is extremely sought after and produces qualified graduates who are in high demand from the job market.

Working at the IT University
Located in modern architecture, a 6-minute metro ride from the center of Copenhagen, the IT University offers an informal working environment, a varied everyday life, and a highly motivated, innovative, skilled, and diverse international faculty, with PhD degrees from more than 20 different countries. The IT University is an equal opportunity employer and prides itself in actively pursuing an improved gender balance among students and among faculty.

Working in Copenhagen
Copenhagen has a solid educational system, a rich cultural life, universal healthcare, good childcare, and well-functioning infrastructure. Copenhagen is consistently ranked among the world’s most livable cities according to the Economist Global Liveability Index. Living and working in Copenhagen will typically be a great experience for you and your family.

Salary and terms of employment
Appointment and salary will be in accordance with the Ministry of Taxation’s agreement with the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations (AC) and job structure for academic staff at universities.

Qualification Requirements
The following qualifications are required:

• Candidates are required to have academic qualifications at PhD level

Application
The application and all other documents ought to be in English and must include:

• A motivated application (cover letter), including a detailed description of your qualifications and brief statements of research and teaching plans
• A full CV, including name, address, phone number, e-mail, previous and present employment, academic background and list of publications
• Documentation of academic degrees (copy of degree certificates etc.)
• Copies of relevant scientific publications or/and PhD thesis written by the applicant
• Documentation of pedagogical experience and teaching record within one or more of the teaching areas listed for the position

Applications without the above-mentioned required documents will not be assessed.

The applicant will be accessed according to the Appointment Order from the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation of 13 March 2012.

The IT University may use shortlisting in connection with the recruitment process. In case of shortlisting, the Chair of the hiring committee selects applicants for assessment in consultation with the hiring committee after the application deadline. All applicants are notified whether their application has been passed for assessment. The shortlisting of candidates for assessment is based on the criteria in the job posting.

Further information
Questions about the positions can be directed to Associate Professor Rune Møller Jensen, IT University of Copenhagen, rmj@itu.dk.

Questions related to the application procedure may be directed to HR, hr@itu.dk.

Application procedure
You can only apply for this position through our e-recruitment system. Apply by pressing the button "Apply for position" in the job announcement on our website.

The IT University might upon request in the interview process contact 1-2 references.

Application deadline: May 3rd 2026 at 23:59 CET.

Applications/enclosures received at ITU after the application deadline will not be taken into consideration. If you submit an application, it is your responsibility to ensure that it arrives before the deadline so please allow sufficient time for upload of publications and other documents.

At The IT University of Copenhagen, we have an international environment and view diversity as a valuable resource. We are committed to ensuring an inclusive working environment for all our employees and encourage all qualified applicants, regardless of age, gender, religious affiliation, or ethnic background to apply for the position.

As ITU 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.