DIAS Professor in Engineering within Robotics

The Danish Institute for Advanced Study (DIAS) at the University of Southern Denmark (SDU) seeks an outstanding candidate to fill a full tenured Professor position in the field of Robotics. For decades, SDU has held an international leading position in the field of robotics, encompassing a wide range of technical disciplines within robotics. This includes research areas such as modeling and control of robotic systems, computer vision, model- and simulation-based engineering of robotic technologies, digital twins, autonomy, mobile robots, drones, and emerging fields like soft robotics. These research areas address domains within and across the industrial sector, healthcare, agriculture, pharma, service robotics, as well as large constructions in the maritime sector, construction, and the energy sector.

This position will be attached to The Maersk Mc-Kinney Moller Institute (MMMI) in Odense, in the research units SDU Robotics, SDU Biorobotics or SDU Drone Center depending on the profile of the candidate. The successful candidate is also expected to be attached to DIAS as DIAS Chair, and to promote interdisciplinary research at the University. 

The successful candidate should have a strong international profile, an excellent record of research publications, a strong track record of attracting research funding, and demonstrated exceptional potential to excel in scientific research. We expect applicants to actively engage in the development of MMMI and contribute positively to DIAS as a whole.

The Danish Institute for Advanced Study

DIAS at SDU is a hub for interdisciplinary excellence at and beyond the frontier of knowledge, bringing together outstanding researchers from various disciplines to foster interdisciplinary research and innovation. DIAS encourages and supports curiosity-driven research and fosters the meeting of minds across disciplines and levels of seniority. The center cultivates an ambitious, open-minded and playful environment that nurtures both academic growth and a strong sense of community.  The candidate will be anticipated to contribute actively to DIAS, including but not limited to participation in DIAS activities, mentoring of DIAS fellows, and promotion of DIAS nationally, internationally and within SDU, as well as through strengthening the bonds between the department/faculty on one hand and DIAS on the other, through interdisciplinary collaborations where meaningful.   

For further information about being a professor at DIAS, please contact DIAS director Sten Rynning at +45 6550 2193 or via email at [email protected].

The Maersk Mc-Kinney Moller Institute

The Maersk Mc-Kinney Moller Institute is an internationally recognized institute, which has maintained a leading position in robotics for more than three decades. The institute is the origin of robotics research in Denmark and has spawned the world-renowned cluster of robotics in Odense with more than 130 robotics companies including Universal Robots and Mobile Industrial Robots. Building on our expertise in robotics and software, we have raised strong research centres in related domains, such as Health Informatics and Energy Informatics, Drones and other relevant research areas. The three units mentioned below are a part of the Maersk Mc-Kinney Moller Institute.

Learn more about our institute at https://www.sdu.dk/mmmi

SDU Robotics

SDU Robotics conducts research within the fields og robotics and computer vision. The unit focuses on research problems from real robotics applications within manufacturing industries, hospitals, elderly care, and other partners in society. The unit also focuses on robot technologies for facilitating Power2X solutions, material recycling, product remanufacturing, and other challenges within the green transition.

SDU Robotics’ research involve mathematical modeling and control of robots, robotic processes and robot systems, human-robot interactions, computer vision, simulation technologies for robotics and computer vision aimed at closing the Sim2Real gap. Artificial Intelligence is widely applied within all research fields. For further information about SDU Robotics and this specific position, please contact Head of Section, Professor Thiusius Rajeeth Savarimuthu at [email protected].

SDU Biorobotics

SDU Biorobotics spans a broad range of competences and research interests, including soft robotics, embodied neurorobotics, human robotics, artificial intelligence, and bio-inspired control.

We design, build, and program new, innovative robots with Nature as a prime source of inspiration. Some of our robots have legs and resemble animals and insects more than traditional robots, while others are controlled and learn via bio-inspired artificial intelligence. For further information about SDU Robotics and this specific position, please contact Head of Department, Kasper Hallenborg at [email protected].

SDU UAS Center

SDU UAS Center’s research focuses on drones and autonomous systems, targeting key societal challenges and enabling future advancements within the field. Research fields include aerial manipulation, autonomous drone applications, drone swarms, human-machine interfaces, robot electronics.

The research work also encompasses the development of drone-in-a-box systems, which facilitate autonomous take-off, mission execution, landing, and charging. For further information about SDU UAS Center and this specific position, please contact Head of Section, Professor Ulrik Pagh Schultz Lundquist [email protected].

Job Description

The successful candidate is more specifically expected to:

• Drive internationally competitive research activities at the highest level of ambition.
• Demonstrate high level of engagement in DIAS, including but not limited to participation in DIAS activities, promotion of DIAS, include DIAS affiliation in presentations and events, as well as publications.
• Publish in high-level peer-reviewed academic journals.
• Engage in various forms of research dissemination, including interdisciplinary research and dialogue.
• Play an active role in securing external funding, including both EU and Danish sources.
• Commit to excellence in teaching at both undergraduate and graduate levels, including participation in teaching, development of new courses, and supervision of BSc, MSc, and PhD students.
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams on robotics, computer vision, artificial intelligence, human-robot interaction, and across various domains, also in the framework of DIAS.

Qualifications

Successful applicants must:

• Hold a PhD or similar qualifications within relevant fields of robotics such as robotics control, modelling, computer vision, medical robotics, aerial robotics, artificial intelligence and soft robotics.
• Outstanding track record and is qualified at the full professor by the hiring time. The candidate may have experience at the full professor level or must be qualified at the time of hiring.
• Demonstrate a strong track record of research and scientific publication.
• Show an excellent record of attracting research funding.
• Have strong experience in project management and good communication skills.
• Have a well-documented teaching record in the field.
• Be fluent in English; the ability to communicate in Danish is an advantage but not a precondition.
• Exhibit a commitment to excellence and multidisciplinary collaboration.

Conditions of Employment

The preferred starting date is June 1, 2025.

The successful applicant will be employed in accordance with the agreement between the Ministry of Finance and the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations. Further information on salary and taxation.

Employment as professor requires academic qualifications at PhD level as well as scientific qualifications with a high level of international academic production, experience with teaching on more academic levels, and contribution to development of teaching and teaching materials as well as the documented ability to administer scientific- and educational management tasks.

Assessment and selection process 

Applications will be assessed by an assessment committee. Shortlisting may be applied. Only shortlisted candidates will receive a written assessment. 

Interviews and tests may be part of the process.

Application Procedure

The qualifications of each applicant will be assessed by a committee of experts. Each applicant will be informed of the outcome of this assessment. Qualified applicants may be called for an interview as part of the final selection. Shortlisting may be used in the assessment process.

Applications must be submitted electronically using the link below. Attached files must be in Adobe PDF or Word format. Each box can only contain a single file of max. 10 MB.

An application must include:

• Application letter including a statement of motivation.
• Detailed Curriculum Vitae.
• Evidence of research experience and a research plan for the next 5 years.
• Complete list of publications, including examples of the most relevant publications (up to 5 publications). These publications should be marked in the list of publications and enclosed.
• Evidence of experience in teaching (Teaching portfolio).
• Certificates/Diplomas (any relevant Master's degree, PhD degree, or other relevant certificates) – Danish or English transcripts.

UPLOAD GUIDE: Motivated application shall be uploaded as ‘Cover letter’, Curriculum Vitae shall be uploaded as ‘Resume’. All other documents shall be uploaded as ‘Miscellaneous documents’.

The application deadline is February 15, 2025, at 11.59 PM/23.59 (CET/CEST)

The evidence of research experience and research ideas should include a list of previous research projects and activities and any related fundraising done by the applicant. Further, it should show an overview of experience with research management, i.e., an overview of research project leadership and leadership of research groups if any. Finally, it should include ideas and strategies for future anticipated research topics of the applicant, how these topics integrate in and further develop research of SDU Robotics, SDU Biorobotics, SDU UAS Center, MMMI and DIAS, and how they relate to societal focus and expected research funding options.

The University wishes our staff to reflect the diversity of society and thus welcomes applications from all qualified candidates regardless of personal background.

Formalities

• According to the University of Southern Denmark’s internal guidelines, there must be at least three qualified applicants to a position before it can be filled.
• Documents must not contain a CPR number (civil registration number) – in this case, the CPR number must be crossed out.
• The application and CV must not exceed 10 MB.

The University of Southern Denmark wishes to reflect the surrounding community and therefore encourages everyone, regardless of personal background, to apply for the position. 

Further information for international applicants about entering and working in Denmark. You may also visit WorkinDenmark for additional information. Further information about The Faculty of Engineerin