Postdoc in Robustness and Algorithmic Fairness for Fetal Ultrasound Foundation Models - DTU Compute

We offer an exciting postdoc position dedicated to developing methods for detecting performance disparities in foundation models for fetal ultrasound and understanding what causes the disparities. While foundation models offer great promise for creating more robust machine learning models for a wide array of tasks, it remains an open problem how to foresee their biases across that wide array of tasks.

As a postdoc, your responsibility will be to collaborate with a team of technical and clinical researchers to create methods and toolboxes that can be used to diagnose biases in foundation models. The project includes both Rigshospitalet and the startup Prenaital Aps as partners, and you will also be working with them to design tools that are useful both for developers, whose goal is to create more robust models – and for clinicians, whose goal is to determine when to trust the models. We therefore seek candidates who have strong technical background in working with large-scale deep learning models, and who are excited about collaborating with users to create technology that solves their problems.

If successful, your work will contribute to better and more robust prenatal care for mother and child.

Responsibilities and qualifications
Your overarching responsibility in the project will be to investigate large-scale ultrasound foundation models catering to various predictive tasks relating to fetal development. This will be done in collaboration with clinicians, technical researchers and developers from Rigshospitalet, the University of Copenhagen and Prenaital Aps.

Your primary tasks will include:

• Developing methods for detecting, understanding and mitigating biases and performance drops in fetal ultrasound foundation models
• Implementing those methods as tools that are ready to be made available both publicly and to users
• Validating predictive models in close collaboration with clinical partners, and interfacing image-based models with other modalities
• Writing and presenting scientific work at top conferences and journals

As a formal qualification, you must hold a PhD degree (or equivalent). 

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. The allowance will be agreed upon with the relevant union.

The period of employment is 2 years. Starting date is January 1 2026 (or according to mutual agreement). The position is a full-time position.

You can read more about career paths at DTU here.

Further information
Further information may be obtained from Aasa Feragen, afhar@dtu.dk.

You can read more about DTU Compute at www.compute.dtu.dk/english/about-us.

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 2025 (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:

• Application (cover letter)
• CV
• Academic Diplomas (MSc/PhD – in English)
• List of publications 
• If you do not already have a PhD diploma, please include a letter from your supervisor indicating the date by which you will submit your PhD thesis

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 
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. Read more about us at www.compute.dtu.dk. 

All engineering students must go through our department as part of their education at DTU. At the same time, we train many engineers who become specialists in our specific areas. Together with our students, we create knowledge and innovation so that we can develop the society of the future.

Technology for people
DTU develops technology for people. With our international elite research and study programmes, we are helping to create a better world and to solve the global challenges formulated in the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Hans Christian Ørsted founded DTU in 1829 with a clear mission to develop and create value using science and engineering to benefit society. That mission lives on today. DTU has 13,500 students and 6,000 employees. We work in an international atmosphere and have an inclusive, evolving, and informal working environment. DTU has campuses in all parts of Denmark and in Greenland, and we collaborate with the best universities around the world.