Postdoc Positions within Robotics for Laboratory Automation at SDU Robotics – Odense, Denmark

Summary

SDU Robotics at the University of Southern Denmark (SDU) in Odense is inviting applications for one or more fully funded 2-year postdoctoral positions starting January 1, 2027, or as soon as possible thereafter. The postdocs will be part of the CAPeX project focusing on robotics for laboratory automation, specifically developing robotic solutions for manipulating tubes, glass vials, and liquids using visual feedback. Candidates must hold a PhD in a relevant field such as robotics and demonstrate expertise in robot control, simulation, computer vision, and written/spoken English. Main responsibilities involve conducting scientific research, publishing in high-quality venues, contributing to CAPeX deliverables, and potentially teaching.

Key Facts

Department	SDU Robotics, Maersk Mc-Kinney Moller Institute
Position Type	Postdoc
Discipline	Robotics
Research Area	Laboratory Automation
Degree Required	PhD
Experience	Research experience at PhD level in a relevant area such as robotics, preferably applied to robotic systems controlled using visual feedback.
Salary	Determined in accordance with the collective agreement between the Ministry of Finance and the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations
Funding	Fully funded position within the CAPeX project
Contract Duration	2 years
Language	English
Required Documents	Motivation letter, Detailed Curriculum Vitae, Master's degree certificate, PhD degree certificate, List of publications, Up to 2 examples of relevant publications
Employer Address	Main campus in Odense, Denmark
Employer Contact	[email protected]

About the Project

The project is part of CAPeX (Pioneer Center for Accelerating P2X Materials Discovery), focusing on developing a flexible robotic solution to automate laboratory experiments requiring the manipulation of tubes, fragile glass vials, and liquids. The system aims to conduct experiments with minimal user intervention, operate alongside humans, recover from failures, and adapt to dynamic environments using visual feedback. The successful candidate will contribute to deploying these solutions in laboratories at both SDU and DTU.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct research in collaboration with colleagues from SDU Robotics and CAPeX
• Conduct scientific research and publish results in high-quality conferences or journals
• Support the team in securing external funding
• Contribute to project CAPeX deliverables
• Deploy developed robotic solutions in laboratories at SDU and DTU
• Optionally undertake teaching responsibilities as agreed individually

Required Skills

• Expert knowledge in the control of robots
• Experience in simulation of robotic systems
• Experience in design and development of robotic systems
• Experience with using computer vision
• Excellent knowledge of written and spoken English
• Ability to work well and communicate expert knowledge in an interdisciplinary team
• Ability to work independently with a strong sense of responsibility

Who Should Apply

Applicants holding a PhD in robotics or a related field with expertise in controlling robots, simulation, development of robotic systems, and computer vision should apply. Candidates must have excellent written and spoken English skills, demonstrate the ability to work independently, and be capable of collaborating within an interdisciplinary team.

Benefits

• Access to state-of-the-art technology and resources
• Flexible work organization
• Support for individual development and professional growth
• Opportunity to collaborate with research institutions like DTU, AAU, Stanford University, Utrecht University, and the University of Toronto

About the Employer

SDU Robotics is a team of approximately 60 employees within the Maersk Mc-Kinney Moller Institute at the University of Southern Denmark (SDU), located on the main campus in Odense. It operates at the heart of the Odense Robotics Cluster and collaborates internationally on advanced modeling, estimation, and control of robotic systems.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the duration of this postdoc position?

The position is for an initial 2-year period, with the possibility of extension up to a maximum of 4 years at the same university depending on available funding.

Where is the physical location of the job?

The position is based primarily onsite at SDU's main campus in Odense, Denmark.

What degree is required to apply?

Employment requires scientific qualifications at the PhD level in a relevant area such as robotics by the time of employment.

Who can I contact for further information about the role?

You can contact Professor Christoffer Sloth via email at [email protected].

What language must the application documents be submitted in?

All application documents must be submitted in English and in PDF format.