Readvertisement - PhD or Postdoc position in Low-Code Development for Logistics Tasks in Mobile Robotics

The Maersk Mc-Kinney Moller Institute (MMMI) at the University of Southern Denmark (SDU) invites applications for a three-year PhD or a two-year postdoc position in Low-Code Development for Logistics Tasks in Mobile Robotics. The position is available as soon as possible and the workplace is at SDU's main campus in Odense.

About the project

Logistics tasks in low-volume production represent an important opportunity for automatization via mobile robots. However, for successful application, easy programming solutions are needed to address the variability of the spatial context in full 3D. This project aims to provide an adaptive and re-configurable low-code programming approach for this problem and demonstrate the approach with the mobile platform of Enabled Robotics (ER). The position is part of the project "Low-Code Programming of Spatial Contexts for Logistic Tasks in Mobile Robotics" funded by the Innovation Fund Denmark (IFD) through the Digital Research Centre Denmark (DIREC).

What we expect

We are looking for a highly motivated, creative, and ambitious candidate with an excellent command of English (written and spoken) who can work well both independently and as part of a team. The candidate should have a master's or a PhD degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or Robotics; a genuine interest in interdisciplinary research; and a drive to conduct applied research in collaboration with industry. Experience in cyber-physical systems, machine learning algorithms, and excellent programming skills are strongly desired. Experience in robot programming, computer vision, and human-computer interaction is a plus. The ideal candidate is competent to acquire knowledge and skills in new topics to conduct high-quality research, present the results at international conferences, and publish in peer-reviewed scientific journals. We also expect the candidate to take part in the teaching activities of the Software Engineering section.

What we offer

The successful applicant will join the Software Engineering section at SDU. The section has grown substantially over the last years with researchers working on a wide range of topics around software development. The project is part of a collaboration involving SDU Software Engineering, SDU Robotics, Enabled Robotics (ER), and Roskilde University (RUC). The hiree will spend most of the time at SDU in Odense, but significant time at ER (located 5 km from SDU) is also planned to support collaboration on technology development.

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.

Further information

Further information about this position is available via email from Associate Professor Thiago Rocha Silva ([email protected]) or Associate Professor Aljaz Kramberger ([email protected]).

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

Conditions of employment for PhD:

Applicants are required to have a master's degree (equivalent to a Danish master's degree) at the time of enrollment and employment. Employment as a PhD fellow is a 3-year salaried position (start salary amounts to approx. 3.378 EUR per month incl. supplements).

Employment of a PhD fellow can only happen after the Head of the PhD School has approved the candidate for admission to the PhD school. 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 is governed by the Protocol on PhD Research Fellows signed by the Danish Ministry of Finance and the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations. Please check links for more information on salary and taxation.

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), read more here.

Conditions of employment for Postdoc

Employment as a postdoc requires scientific qualifications at PhD level. Employment as a postdoc is temporary and will cease without further notice at the end of the period.

Research will be predominant in the position. Teaching assignments can be agreed individually. Furthermore, other types of assignments may occur to a limited degree. The Faculty determines the distribution of the various assignments. The weighting of the different assignments may vary over time.

The successful applicant will be employed in accordance with the agreement between the Ministry of Finance and the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations. Please check links for more information on salary and taxation.

The assessment process

Read about the assessment and selection process. Shortlisting and interview may be part of the assessment process.

Application procedure for PhD:

The Faculty expects applicants to read the Faculty information for prospective PhD students and the SDU information on How to apply before applying.

The application deadline is the 12th of September 2023.

The application must be in English and must include the following (the required forms must be found at the Faculty website) for a PhD position:

• Completed TEK PhD application form for 5+3 applicants. Find the form at the Faculty website.
• Motivation letter stating your specific interest, motivation, and qualifications for the project in question (max. 2 pages). Upload in the field called "Project description".
• Detailed Curriculum Vitae including personal contact information, research and teaching experience, list of publications (if any), and a description of your computational skills.
• In case you have any publications, a maximum of 2 examples of relevant papers. Please attach one pdf-file for each publication.
• 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 form for calculation grade point average. Find the form at the Faculty website. Upload in one of the fields called "Publication".
• An official document describing the grading scheme of the awarding universities (if not Danish). Upload in one of the fields called "Publication".
• An official and verified written assessment of the thesis or dissertation project from the grade giving institution, if the thesis/examination project is evaluated by approved/passed. The statement must clearly state that the candidate has been among the top 30% in the graduation class for the study programme.
• 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.

Application procedure for Postdoc:

The Faculty expects applicants to read How to apply before applying.

The application must be in English and must include:

• Motivation letter stating your specific interest, motivation, and qualifications for the project in question (max. 2 pages). Upload in the field called "Project description".
• Detailed Curriculum Vitae including personal contact information, research and teaching experience, list of publications, and a description of your computational skills.
• Full list of publications indicating the publications attached.
• Examples of the most relevant publications (max. 5). Please attach one pdf-file for each publication.
• Verified copies of the official master's and PhD diplomas, both the original documents and in professional English translation.
• Reference letters and other relevant qualifications may also be included.

The application deadline is the 30th of July 2023.

The University wishes our staff to reflect the diversity of society and thus welcomes applications from all qualified candidates regardless of personal background.