Associate Professor in Robotic Production Systems

SDU Center for Large Structure Production (LSP), part of the Maersk Mc-Kinney Moller Institute (MMMI) at University of Southern Denmark (SDU), invites applications for one or more fully funded Associated Professor positions in the area of model- and simulation-based planning and control of robotic production systems. The positions will be vacant from August 1, 2025, or as soon as possible thereafter for a. Main work location is Odense/Denmark at SDU and Odense Havn (Odense Port).

Work environment

The candidate(s) will be part of SDU’s newly established SDU 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. In this context, the candidate is expected to work closely with our industrial partners on application-oriented use cases, while helping to commission and operate the unique set of equipment of the center. 

LSP is working closely together the companies at Odense Havn and similar partners making large structures across Denmark and Europe. LSP is integrated with Odense Robotics Cluster involving startups and established companies in robotics. We are a team of currently about 20 researchers, engineers and PhD students, specialized in robotic 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
The candidate(s) will participate in activities of the center, including current and future research projects and teaching. This involves for example:

• To be able to collaborate with our experts and colleagues from SDU Center for Large Structure Production in the further development of our core technologies. 
• To participate in the practicalities of actual industrial applications. 
• To be deeply involved in our regular coordination and joint evolvement of research and project activities. 
• To raise funding and manage research projects. 
• To organize, plan and conduct excellent teaching for undergraduate and graduate courses. 
• To independently supervise project courses, and BSc, MSc and PhD thesis projects. 

The associate professor role primarily involves research and research-based teaching, with equal emphasis on both. Responsibilities include publishing scientific knowledge, teaching, examining, engaging in public debates, research management, curriculum development, guidance, supervision, and scholarly assessment. Task allocation is determined by the university and may change over time.

Profile and requirements
The position requires research experience in industrial robotics applications, in particular within production. This includes documented knowledge within some of the following technologies/areas: 

• Model-, simulation, and data-based planning and control of robotic production systems.
• Applications of robotic systems relevant to the area of large structure production, such as applications of robotic system in the sectors maritime, construction or energy.
• Methodologies and tools in Systems Engineering, i.e. Digital Twins.

The candidate(s) must hold a relevant PhD (or hold a PhD within robotics) and are expected to have most of the following qualifications: 

• Research demonstrated by publications in relevant scientific journals and conferences.
• Experience in acquiring and coordinating publicly and/or privately funded projects.
• Strong track record of directly engaging with industrial partners in application-oriented projects and/or a relevant international network for research and collaboration activities.
• Experience with teaching and independently supervising project courses, and BSc and MSc thesis projects.

Furthermore, the successful candidate(s) are expected to have excellent knowledge of English (written an