Full Professor, Associate Professor, or Assistant Professor in Defense-related Technologies for Drones (Unmanned Aerial Systems, UAS)

University of Southern Denmark (SDU); Odense; On-site; DKK 900,000 - 1,100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Interdisciplinary research environment

Job summary

University of Southern Denmark's SDU Drone Center invites applications for Full Professor, Associate Professor, or Assistant Professor in defense-related drone technologies. Positions start January 2027 or as soon as possible thereafter and include leadership in research initiatives and teaching within the Drones and Autonomous Systems program.

We seek candidates with a PhD, a strong publication record, and experience securing research funding.

Qualifications

• Strong research and publication record.

Responsibilities

• Lead research in aerial robotics and defense-related drone technologies.

Skills

Research publications

Defense collaboration

Funding acquisition

Teaching experience

Education

PhD level

Job description

SDU Drone Center at the Maersk Mc-Kinney Moller Institute (MMMI), University of Southern Denmark in Odense invites applications for positions in defense-related technologies for Drones (Unmanned Aerial Systems, UAS) at the levels of Full Professor, Associate Professor, or Assistant Professor. The positions are available from January 2027 or as soon as possible thereafter.

What we offer

The successful candidate(s) will join the SDU Drone Center, located at SDU Campus and at HCA Airport, where we operate state-of-the-art indoor and outdoor drone laboratories. You will become part of an interdisciplinary and agile research environment with strong ties to the internationally recognized robotics ecosystem in Odense.

What We expect

We expect candidates to have documented expertise in systems engineering for unmanned aerial systems with demonstrated real-world applications. The successful candidate will conduct research in aerial robotics, focusing on the design and implementation of drones operating in dynamic and complex outdoor environments. Relevant research areas include, but are not limited to, autonomous systems, swarming, navigation in GNSS-denied environments, communication and coordination, airspace situational awareness and management, safety and security, and counter-drone technologies.

Experience in defense-related research and/or applications is considered an advantage.

Commensurate with the seniority of the position applied for, the candidates must have:

• Strong research and publication record;
• Experience with defense, industrial, public sector and/or emergency services collaboration (this is a requirement for Full Professor);
• Proven track record of attracting research funding (this is a requirement for Full Professor and Associate Professor);
• Experience with teaching and education development (this is a requirement for Full Professor and Associate Professor).

The successful candidate(s) are expected to play a proactive role in contributing to and expanding the Center’s research portfolio. This includes active participation in ongoing projects as well as the development, leadership, and coordination of new externally funded research initiatives. The candidate(s) are further expected to secure competitive national and international research funding, establish strategic collaborations with academic, industrial, and defense stakeholders, and strengthen the Center’s position in civil and defense-related drone technologies.

The candidate(s) will contribute to teaching and supervision within the Master of Science education in Drones and Autonomous Systems, which is part of the Robotics MSc programme at the University of Southern Denmark.

Research environment

SDU Drone Center conducts research in drone technologies and future drone applications within areas such as defense, infrastructure inspection, healthcare logistics, precision agriculture, nature conservation, and environmental monitoring. We are an interdisciplinary team of researchers with specializations within robotics, computer vision, software, embedded systems, and the design and construction of drone systems. Together we create drone solutions for a flourishing European society. Learn more about the center at https://www.sdu.dk/uasFor further information please contact Head of SDU Drone Center, Professor Ulrik Pagh Schultz, [e-mail], phone: [phone].

If you experience technical problems, please contact our email support.

Application

Assessment of candidates is based on the application material, and the application must include:

• Motivated application.
• Curriculum Vitae.
• Master’s and PhD degree certificates or equivalent (original and an official English translation).
• Complete list of publications.
• Publications most relevant to the position.
• Teaching Portfolio documenting teaching, learning, and supervision qualifications and approach. Any format is acceptable; see the Faculty's teaching portfolio page for inspiration (mandatory for full professor and associate professor applicants).
• Summary and documentation of teaching experience (for assistant professor applicants).
• Research plan.
• A statement/documentation of other qualifications relevant to the position may also be included.

SUBMISSION GUIDE: Motivated application must be uploaded under ‘Cover letter’ (max. 5 MB), Curriculum Vitae must be uploaded under ‘Resume’ (max 5 MB). All other documents must be uploaded under ‘Miscellaneous documents’ (max 10 files with a maximum 50 MB per file).

The application deadline is November 15, 2026, at 11:59 PM/23:59 (CET/CEST)

Assessment and selection process

Applications will be assessed by an assessment committee. Shortlisting may be applied, and only shortlisted candidates will receive a written assessment. Read about shortlisting at SDU. Interviews and tests may be part of the overall evaluation. Read about the Assessment and selection process.

Employment terms

Appointment as an assistant professor is temporary and for an initial 3-year period, and appointment as an associate professor and full professor is permanent.

Employment as an assistant professor requires academic qualifications at a minimum of PhD level at the time of employment. During employment, the assistant professor will complete the Lecturer Training Programme.

Employment as an associate professor and full professor requires academic qualifications at PhD level as well as scientific and teaching qualifications commensurate with the position as an associate professor or a full professor. A completed lecturer training programme or equivalent pedagogical/didactical competence development is a prerequisite. Employment will be in accordance with the collective agreement between the Ministry of Finance and the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations for academics in the state included the associated circular on the protocol for the job structure for academic staff at Danish universities and the provisions for assistant professor, associate professor or full professor as described therein.

Salary is determined in accordance with the applicable collective agreement and based on objective and gender-neutral criteria, including the content of the position, responsibilities, and qualification requirements. As an applicant, you are entitled to information about the starting salary and salary range for the position. This information will be provided during the recruitment process. SDU does not collect information on applicants’ previous salary. Further information on salary and taxation.

Persons employed in the position may, based on a specific individual managerial assessment, be exempted from time registration, also known as a “self-organizer”.

The University of Southern Denmark wishes its staff to reflect the surrounding community and therefore encourages everyone, regardless of personal background, to apply for the position. SDU conducts research in critical technologies, which, due to the risk of unwanted knowledge transfer, is subject to a number of security measures. Therefore, based on information from open sources, background checks may be conducted on candidates for the position(s).

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.

About Us

The University of Southern Denmark was established to create value for and with society. Whether our contributions come in the form of excellent research, innovative solutions, education or learning, we must make a positive difference to society and contribute to a sustainable future. We do this by cultivating talents and creating the best environments for research and learning. It is therefore crucial that SDU retains, develops and recruits talent. At the same time, we need to ensure consistently high quality in all our activities – and we can only do that with the right people. The University’s researchers, lecturers, students, managers and technical/administrative staff are the foundation of our success.