PhD Position on Integrated Modular Ship and Manufacturing Development

SDU Center for Large Structure Production (LSP), part of the Maersk Mc-Kinney Moller Institute, University of Southern Denmark (SDU), invites applications for a fully funded PhD position on the topic of robotized methods and technologies for modular ship building. The position will be vacant from beginning of 2025 and is for a 3-year period. The preferred start date is from 1 May 2025, or as soon as possible in agreement with the successful candidate. 

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

Main work location is Odense/ Denmark at SDU and Odense Havn (Odense Port). The candidate is expected to closely interact with an aligned PhD position on production architectures for naval vessels, located at Copenhagen/ Denmark at DTU.

Work environment

The candidate will be part of SDU’s Center for Large Structure Production (LSP). LSP’s central ambition is to provide a physical “go-to” lab for companies in the sectors maritime, construction and energy to carry out research, development, and testing of novel solutions in the production of large structures, such as buildings, ships and offshore platforms. 

LSP is closely working together the companies at Odense Havn and similar partners making large structures across Denmark and Europe. LSP is integrated with the Odense Robotics Cluster involving startups and established companies in robotics. We are a team of currently ca. 15 researchers and engineers, specialized in robot solutions involving modelling, simulation, and control of advanced robot technologies (systems and services) for application-oriented industrial applications. 

Our group is involved in a variety of national and European projects and features a strong network of academic and industrial partners. We solve challenging research problems derived from real-life challenges by implementing novel robot solutions. We value teamwork, professional diligence, enthusiasm for robotics and the drive to adopt new skills and extended responsibilities. We offer an open, international team, with flexible work organization and support of individual development.

Job description

Structured product and production architectures for naval vessels are crucial for their successful, time- and cost-effective design, construction, sale and purchase, operation and maintenance. Future naval vessels are expected to be highly modular, thus requiring similarly modular production platforms. Based on similar approaches in for example the automative industry, it is the fundamental hypothesis that despite the complexities, key decisions can be strengthened if architectures and platforms are explicitly discussed, modelled and described. 

The project sets out to co-develop these two intertwined perspectives of i) a naval vessel product system including product development (modular naval architecture of the vessel) and ii) production system development (modular production platform for shipyard operations) based on two linked PhD projects, at DTU (product) and SDU (production system).

The PhD project here at SDU addresses the development of robotized methods and technologies for naval vessels, based on a combined and unified modelling methodology regarding the modular naval architecture. Starting points for the project are known approaches for model-based system design and engineering and product lifecycle management from other industrial sectors. 

The candidates will first map these known approaches to ship design and ship building, then they will refine and extend the approaches to discuss, model and support the development of a highly modular production system platform to build and maintain vessels, using the requirements of the Danish vessel program as a framework. The central infrastructure for robotized shipbuilding operations is LSP’s multi-purpose/multi-robot gantry system.

The PhD will be supported by SDU’s expertise in the robotization and digitalization of shipbuilding operations (main supervision), SDU’s expertise in naval architecture and mechanical engineering (co-supervision), and DTU’s expertise in the field of product development and engineering (co-supervision). 

Profile and requirements

The candidate is expected to have most of the following qualifications:

• Master’s degree in engineering, preferably supported by first academic publications
• Documented knowledge in mechanical engineering
• Documented knowledge in industrial automation
• Documented experience with system modelling and system simulation
• Strong mathematics skills and practical knowledge in 3D modelling
• Programming skills (particularly in C/C++ and Python)
• Ability to work independently as part of an agile team, with a strong sense of responsibility
• Willingness to engage in application-oriented R&D, by closely interacting with company staff

In close teamwork with our researchers and staff from our industrial partners, the candidate will grow a hands-on expertise in robotic production operations, including robots, tools, and sensors. 

Contact information

For further information, please contact Professor Christian Schlette via email ([email protected]) or on LinkedIn (www.linkedin.com/in/christian-schlette/).

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

Application procedure

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

Assessment of the candidates is based on the application material, and an application must include: 

• Motivated application. 
• Curriculum Vitae.
• 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).
• A statement/documentation of other qualifications relevant to the position.
• 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: An official 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.
• Master’s and bachelor’s degree or equivalent (copy of original/official English translation). 

All documents must be in English and PDF format, no more than 5 MB per file. Documents should not contain a CPR number (civil registration number) – in this case, the CPR number must be crossed out.

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 April 15, 2025, at 11.59 PM / 23.59 (CET/CEST) 

 

Assessment and selection process

Applications will be assessed by an assessment committee. Shortlisting may be applied, and only shortlisted candidates will receive a written assessment. Read about shortlisting at SDU.  Interviews and tests may be part of the overall evaluation.

Read about the Assessment and selection process.  

Conditions of employment

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

Enrollment will be in accordance with Faculty regulations and the Danish Ministerial Order on the PhD Programme at the Universities (PhD order). 

Employment will be in accordance with the collective agreement between the Ministry of Finance and the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations for academics in the state with the associated circular on the job structure for academic staff at Danish universities and the provisions for PhD fellows as described herein as well as the Protocol on PhD 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 person employed in the position may, based on a specific individual managerial evaluation, be exempted from time registration, also known as a “self-organiser”.

The University of Southern Denmark wishes our staff 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.