PhD Position on Dexterous Manipulation for Industrial Automation

SDU Robotics, part of the Maersk Mc-Kinney Moller Institute, University of Southern Denmark (SDU), located in Odense, invites applications for a 3-year PhD position(s), where the candidate will work on projects related to dexterous manipulation and tactile sensing. The starting date for the position is March 1, 2025, or as soon as possible thereafter. The application deadline is January 23, 2025, at 23.59 (CET/CEST)
SDU Robotics, part of the Maersk Mc-Kinney Moller Institute, University of Southern Denmark (SDU), located in Odense, invites applications for a 3-year PhD position(s), where the candidate will work on projects related to dexterous manipulation and tactile sensing. The starting date for the position is March 1, 2025, or as soon as possible thereafter.

The application deadline is January 23, 2025, at 23.59 (CET/CEST)

Research environment
The candidate will be integrated in the unit SDU Robotics with a team of approx. 50 employees specialized in robot solutions involving modelling, estimation, and control of advanced robot systems. The 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 from real applications and implement novel robot solutions together with end users such as Universal Robots, HARTING, LEGO, Danfoss and Novo Nordisk.

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.

SDU Robotics is part of the Maersk Mc-Kinney Moller Institute, University of Southern Denmark (SDU), and located at the main Campus in Odense, at the core of the Odense Robotics Cluster involving 130+ startups and established companies in robotics.

Project description
The aim of this PhD project is to enable the use of dexterous manipulation in industrial automation by leveraging tactile sensing and offline manipulation planning using digital models. The candidate will be responsible for developing detailed simulation models of both robots, sensors, and components to be assembled. In addition, the candidate should develop robust manipulation strategies and implement these in a real robot system. It is expected that the candidate should combine model-based and data-driven methods to solve the research problems.

Profile and requirements
The candidate will participate in SDU Robotics’ comprehensive research and teaching activities within the areas of robotics, mathematical modeling and control. The position requires a master’s degree within robotics, control or a similar area, and candidate is expected to have a profound knowledge on the majority of the following topics:

• Modelling and simulation of robot systems
• Motion planning
• Reinforcement learning
• Practical implementation of robot control systems

Preferably, the candidate has experience with:

• Tactile sensors
• Dexterous manipulation

Furthermore, the successful candidate is expected to:

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

Further information
Please visit us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sdu-robotics.

Further information about this position is available via email from Professor Christoffer Sloth [email protected].

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

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.

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.

The application deadline is January 23, 2025, at 23.59 (CET/CEST)

Assessment of candidates is based on the application material. The application must include the following:

• Motivated personal application.
• Detailed Curriculum Vitae including personal contact information.
• A short PhD research proposal featuring: title, aim/objective, background, expected contribution, proposed methodology, work plan, bibliography (maximum five pages including references).
• 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:

• List of publications and relevant or representative publications in full text, in case you have any publications.
• References (names and emails) and/or reference letters may also be included. You're welcome to use the form for reference letter at the Faculty website.

All files must be in English and must be in PDF format. All files must be unlocked and allow binding and may not be password protected. The application and CV must not exceed 10 MB. 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 University of Southern Denmark wishes to reflect the surrounding community and therefore encourages everyone, regardless of personal background, to apply for the position.

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 overall evaluation process.

Conditions of employment
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.

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).

Placering: Odense, Denmark