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SDU Software Engineering and SDU Robotics, part of the Maersk Mc-Kinney Moller Institute, University of Southern Denmark, located in Odense, invites applications for several 3-year PhD positions, which will be vacant from 1 September 2024 or as soon as possible thereafter.

The application deadline is 21 June 2024 at 11.59 PM / 23.59 (CET/CEST)

Research environment

The candidates will be integrated in the SDU Software Engineering and SDU Robotics sections, which are at the core of the Odense Robotics Cluster involving Universal Robots, Mobile Industrial Robots (MIR) and 120+ other companies. SDU Software Engineering specializes in effective and efficient methods for high quality and rapid software development of complex and safety-critical systems and SDU Robotics specializes in robot solutions involving modelling, estimation, and control of advanced robot systems.

We value teamwork, professional diligence, enthusiasm for technology 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. The groups are involved in a variety of national and European projects and features a strong network of academic and industrial partners. We solve challenging research problems from real applications and implement novel software and robot solutions together with end users such as Universal Robots, Terma, LEGO, Danfoss, and Novo Nordisk.

Project description

In the motivation letter, the candidates are requested to state which of the two projects is preferred. Both projects are in the context of an industrial focused research project named FERA with several industrial partners.

Project 1 – Methods and Tools for Searching Robot Data to support Robot Programming

This project aims to develop methods and tools for searching robot source code, design documents and operation data to support robot programming.

The PhD candidate will be responsible to:

  • Do design of a data infrastructure for hosting and serving relevant data formats.
  • Develop search interfaces for the data infrastructure including the visualization of source code and data elements.
  • Analyze the support provided by a search interface for robot programmers to find code and data for reuse for different domain cases.

Project 2 – Methods and Tools for Robot Programming mixing Reusable Code and Data

This project aims to develop methods and tools for robot programming mixing previously developed source code and operational data.

The PhD candidate will be responsible to:

  • Explore, apply, and adapt methods for developing automation solutions based on reusing code and data from previous solutions.
  • Develop tool support for using the methods on examples of code and data from domain cases.
  • Analyze the ease of programming and reliability of automation solutions developed based on reuse.

Profile and requirements

The candidates will participate in research and teaching activities within the areas of software and robotics. The positions require a master’s degree (equivalent to a Danish master’s degree) within a relevant area (e.g. software or robotics) and the desired candidate is expected to have knowledge within relevant areas, e.g. from a software perspective within software technologies for programmer support, user interfaces and data management, and from a robotic perspective within programming of robotic solutions, deep learning, and robot assembly.

Furthermore, the successful candidate is expected to:

  • Have good knowledge of English (written and spoken).
  • Have high self-motivation to learn.
  • Be able to work well and communicate expert knowledge in an interdisciplinary team.
  • Have the ability of working independently.
  • Have a strong sense of responsibility.

Contact and further information

Please visit us on our websites: https://www.sdu.dk/en/forskning/sdusoftwareengineering and https://www.sdu.dk/en/forskning/sdurobotics

Further information about this position is available via email from Professor Mikkel Baun Kjærgaard (mbkj@mmmi.sdu.dk) or Professor Norbert Krüger (norbert@mmmi.sdu.dk).

If you experience technical problems, you must contact hcm-support@sdu.dk.

Application procedure

Before applying the candidates are expected 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.

The application must be in English and include the following:

  • Motivation Letter.
  • Detailed Curriculum Vitae.
  • Verified copies of the official bachelor diploma and master's diploma and transcripts of exams, both the original documents and in professional English translation.
  • 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: Upload motivated application as ‘Cover letter’, upload CV as ‘Resume’ and upload all other documents as ‘Miscellaneous documents’.

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.

Conditions of employment

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

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 and enrollment will cease without further notice at the end of the period. A PhD fellow is not allowed to have any kind of sideline employment, while enrolled as PhD fellow at the faculty.

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.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 application deadline is 21 June 2024 at 11.59 PM / 23.59 (CET/CEST)

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 should 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.

ODENSE:

As the 3rd largest city in Denmark, Odense provides the perfect combination of a historic city center with an urban field yet a close proximity to beaches and recreational areas. Its location on the beautiful island of Funen is ideal with easy access by train or highway to the bigger cities of Aarhus and Copenhagen; direct trains can take you straight to Copenhagen airport in less than 2 hours. Since 1966 the city has been a university town, and strong collaborative ties are in place between the University of Southern Denmark and the many Danish and International corporations in the region. As the birthplace of Hans Christian Andersen, Denmark’s famous fairytale author, the city is home to a vibrant and creative population that hosts numerous festivals and markets throughout the year.

Please note in your application that you found the job at Jobindex

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