PhD Position in Mechatronic Design of Tilt-rotor Multicopters

SDU Mechatronics and the Centre of Industrial Mechanics, part of Institute of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering and the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Southern Denmark in Sønderborg, invites applications for a PhD scholarship on mechatronic design of tilt-rotor multicopters. Starting date is November 1, 2024, or as soon as possible thereafter.

The application deadline is September 30, 2024, at 11.59 PM / 23.59 (CET/CEST) 

Workplace description

Institute of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering covers research and education spanning from fundamentals to applications of engineering science. All our courses are taught in English reflecting the fact that more than half our students and staff are internationals. The Centre for Industrial Mechanics is located at SDU's beautiful campus in Sønderborg, in the inspiring building of Alsion, which is a center for science, culture and learning in the heart of Sønderborg and perched on the strait of water separating the island of Als from the mainland. The university has very close relations to the industry in Sønderborg, Southern Denmark and Northern Germany. A significant fraction of the projects in the center are conducted in close cooperation with the industry, which count world leading companies in growing fields such as e-mobility, automation, climate solutions and energy efficiency.

At SDU Mechatronics, research, education, and innovation are performed in teams of scientists and support staff with competences spanning a wide range of fields including applied cyber-physical systems, advanced mechanical systems, modelling and mechatronic prototyping.

Your profile

To complement our team, we are looking for a PhD researcher in the Drone Mechatronics research group with expertise in mechatronic design of drones. Experience in three or more of the following fields is required:

• Advanced mechanical design and rapid prototyping,
• Mechatronic design and implementation of multicopters,
• Advanced control engineering,
• Guidance, Navigation and Control of autonomous vehicles,
• PCB design and fabrication.

The ideal candidate has extensive experience with:

• Programming of IO boards (STM32, Pixhawk, BeagleBone, etc.) in different programming languages (C++, Python, etc.),
• MATLAB/Simulink programming
• Creating their own mechanical designs, implement and test them accordingly,
• Implementation of control algorithms on physical experiments.

In addition, the candidate is expected to contribute with mechatronic-related teaching activities.

The candidate must have:

• MSc in a relevant discipline (mechatronic, mechanical or aerospace engineering, electrical engineering, or any other relevant engineering discipline),
• Strong record in practical experience in the development and implementation of mechatronic devices,
• Very good communication skills in English.

Contact information

For further information, please visit www.sdu.dk/en/ime  and https://www.sdu.dk/mechatronics and contact Associate Professor Lars Duggen, Head of Centre for Industrial Mechanics, tel. +45 6550 1640, e-mail: [email protected] or Associate Professor Jerome Jouffroy, PI of the Intelligent Control Group, tel. +45 2750 1476, email: [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). 

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

Before applying the candidates are advised to read the Faculty information for prospective PhD students, the SDU information on how to apply and specific faculty information for application at the Faculty of Engineering. 

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

• Motivated application. 
• Curriculum Vitae, with potential starting date.
• 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).

The application deadline is September 30, 2024, at 11.59 PM / 23.59 (CET/CEST) 

Formalities

• 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 Engineering.