PhD Position in Autonomous Robotic Operations on Powerlines

The section of Digital and High-Frequency Electronics at the Institute of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering at the Faculty of Engineering of the University of Southern Denmark (SDU) is opening a PhD position in the area of digital and embedded electronics for advanced robotic technologies. 

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

The section focuses on conducting research in digital and high-frequency electronics, embedded systems, control, and communication, utilizing cutting-edge reconfigurable computing and sensors. The aim is to develop next-generation electronics and computing solutions that solve technology-related challenges in fields such as autonomous robots, drones, IoT, smart grid, and healthcare.

The section is a vital component of our educational programs in electrical engineering in Odense, offering Bachelor’s and Master of Science degrees in Electronics Engineering.  Over the next few years, the section is expected to expand to include at least 20 academics, including PhD students and engineers, to support research funding, industrial collaboration, and educational activities. This growth will enable the section to continue its contribution to the field of electrical engineering and related areas.

The SDU campus in Odense comprises five faculties and soon also a large university hospital creating a great concentration of academics and students facilitating interdisciplinary research and rich student life. The city of Odense is culturally rich surrounded by a vibrant and growing robotics community and highly livable with a green banked meandering river cutting through the centre and attractive residential areas.

Job description 

As a PhD fellow in our program, you will focus on designing and developing a software framework for autonomous and semi-autonomous robotic operations on energized high-voltage powerlines, as well as the ground operator interface. The software will autonomously control the robots to identify and replace powerline components while ensuring a high level of safety standards for the robots and powerlines. Additionally, the software framework will provide real-time data to ground operators, enabling them to control the robots with minimal experience to accomplish maintenance tasks.

Your responsibilities will include conducting cutting-edge research to advance robot autonomy and interfacing using various sensors, graphical interfaces, and advanced control loops.

In addition to your research duties, you will engage in teaching activities, contributing to teaching and course planning in relevant subject areas. Collaboration is a key aspect of this role, as you will work alongside accomplished peers, including other PhD students and postdoctoral researchers from the research group.

If you are a detail-oriented, self-motivated individual with a passion for innovation and a commitment to excellence, we want to hear from you.

Qualifications required

• The applicant must hold a BSc and MSc degree in electronics, robotics, autonomous systems, or a related field.
• Software skills in ROS, Python, and C++ and graphic user interfaces using VR/mixed reality.
• Good academic writing skills. 

For further information about the position, please contact the Head of Digital and High-frequency Electronics Section, Professor Emad Samuel Malki Ebeid, e-mail: [email protected].

If you experience technical problems, please contact [email protected].

Conditions of employment

Appointment as a PhD fellow is a 3-year salaried position.

The monthly gross salary incl. pension is 35.707DKR. If you have relevant postgraduate experience, you may be placed on a higher salary step. 

Applicants must hold a master’s degree (equivalent to a Danish master's degree) at the time of enrollment and employment. Employment of a PhD fellow can only happen after the PhD School has approved the candidate for admission.

Employment as a PhD fellow governed by the Protocol on PhD Research Fellows signed by the Danish Ministry of Finance and the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations (AC). Further information about salary and conditions of employment.

The successful candidate will be enrolled at SDU in accordance with Faculty regulations and the Danish Ministerial Order on the PhD Programme at the Universities (PhD order).

The person employed in the position may, based on a specific individual managerial assessment, be exempted from time registration, also known as a self-organiser. 

Assessment and selection process

Read about the Assessment and selection process. 

Applications will be assessed by an assessment committee or an expert. Shortlisting may be applied. Only shortlisted candidates will receive a written assessment. Read about shortlisting at SDU. 

Interviews and tests may be part of the process.

Application procedure

Applicants are advised to read the SDU information on how to apply and Faculty information for prospective PhD students.

Assessment of candidates is based on the application material. Please include the following documents in English: 

• Motivated application. 
• Curriculum Vitae.
• Certificates/Diplomas (bachelor’s and master’s degree) – incl. transcripts of grades in Danish and/or English. 
• Completed TEK PhD application form for 5+3 applicants. Find the form at the Faculty website.
• Completed TEK PhD form for calculation grade point average. Find the form at the Faculty website. 
• An official document describing the grading scheme of the awarding universities (if not Danish). 
• Only for applicants from programmes that evaluate thesis/examination project by approved/not approved: Please submit an official and verified written assessment of the thesis or dissertation project from the grade giving institution. The statement must clearly state that the candidate has been among the top 30 pct. in the graduation class for the study programme.

The application may also include:

• References, you're welcome to use the form for reference letter at the Faculty website.
• List of publications and maximum 2 examples of relevant publications (in case you have any publications).

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’. 

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

The University of Southern Denmark wishes to reflect the surrounding community and therefore encourages everyone, regardless of personal background, to apply for the position. SDU conducts research in critical technologies, which, due to the risk of unwanted knowledge transfer, are subject to a number of security measures. Therefore, based on information from open sources, background checks may be conducted on candidates 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 Engineering.