项目介绍

2026年6月9日

We hereby invite applications for one or more PhD position focusing on the development and application of hyperspectral imaging technologies for bulk forensic evidence analysis. The project aims to advance non‑destructive, rapid, and highly sensitive hyperspectral methods for the detection, identification, and characterization of forensic traces, including fire debris, biological stains, fibres, documents, and other evidential materials.

Hyperspectral imaging combines spectroscopy and imaging to provide detailed spatial and chemical information with high resolution. In this project, you will investigate the use of visible, near‑infrared, and short‑wave infrared hyperspectral systems to improve forensic investigations and support evidence interpretation in both laboratory and field environments.

The PhD scholarship is available from 1 September 2026 or as soon as possible thereafter. The workplace will be at Aalborg University, campus Fibigerstræde 16, 9220 Aalborg Øst.

Your work tasks
The project is expected to generate novel analytical methodologies, peer‑reviewed publications, conference presentations, and practical tools for forensic laboratories. During the PhD project, you will design and implement a hyperspectral imaging system tailored to bulk forensic trace analysis and develop chemometric and machine‑learning models for material identification and classification. You will evaluate the detection of accelerants, contaminants, and degraded forensic evidence and integrate advanced data processing and visualisation techniques to handle and interpret large hyperspectral data sets. Clearly the fundamental competences you acquired from this project is transferable across academia and industries.

You will collaborate closely with forensic laboratories and law‑enforcement stakeholders on the validation of analytical protocols and disseminate your results through scientific publications, conference contributions, and interactions with practitioners. As part of your PhD training, you will also contribute to teaching or other forms of knowledge dissemination within the department.

Your competencies 
You hold a Master’s degree in forensic science, chemistry, chemical engineering, analytical science, data science, or a closely related discipline. You have experience with spectroscopy and chemometrics and at least some of the following areas: data acquisition, equipment construction, machine learning, and image analysis. You master programming in for example Python, MATLAB, or a similar platform and you are motivated to further develop your skills in scientific computing and hyperspectral data processing.

You have excellent written and spoken English skills and you communicate your results clearly to both technical and non‑technical audiences. You take ownership of your research projects, are able to work independently in a structured manner, and you thrive in an interdisciplinary environment where you collaborate with colleagues with different scientific backgrounds and with external partners.

Qualification requirements
PhD scholarships are awarded to candidates who have completed a Master’s degree. The normal duration of the PhD scholarship is three years. Appointment to the scholarship is conditional upon simultaneous enrolment as a PhD student at the Doctoral School at the Faculty of Engineering and Science.

The PhD Programme must be completed in accordance with Executive Order No. 1124 of 19 September 2025 on PhD Programmes at Universities and Certain Higher Artistic Educational Institutions. In accordance with the Executive Order, the PhD Programme will be evaluated at regular intervals. As part of the Programme, you must complete PhD courses corresponding to 30 ECTS credits, gain experience in teaching or other forms of knowledge dissemination, and undertake an external research stay outside Aalborg University, preferably lasting three to six months at an international research institution.

Who we are    
You will join an interdisciplinary research group with expertise in chemistry, chemical engineering, spectroscopy, hyperspectral imaging, artificial intelligence, and chemometrics. The project is hosted by the Department of Materials and Production, which is a multidisciplinary department with a broad range of competences and extensive state‑of‑the‑art equipment.

You will have access to dedicated facilities for developing hyperspectral imaging instrumentation, advanced analytical laboratories, and high‑performance computing resources for data processing and model development. You will collaborate with academic, governmental, and industrial partners and become part of a research environment that values curiosity, engagement, methodological rigour, and collaboration in addressing real‑world forensic challenges.

How to apply
Your application must include the following:

• Application, stating reasons for applying and qualifications in relation to the position
• Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• Diplomas (bachelor’s and master’s degree diploma, including grades) 
• If you are not a native English speaker, you must provide documentation of a recognised English language test with one of the following minimum scores: International English Language Testing System 7.0, Test of English as a Foreign Language (paper‑based) 600, or Test of English as a Foreign Language (internet‑based) 100. The test must be no more than five years old at the time of application.
• 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.

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 of Engineering and Science

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.