Postdoc Positions within Mobile Robotics at SDU Robotics

Syddansk Universitet; Cortex Park; On-site; DKK 420,000 - 540,000; Full time

Job summary

SDU Robotics at the University of Southern Denmark invites applications for a two-year postdoc focused on mobile robotics, including automated agriculture and open-terrain mobility. The position begins January 1, 2027, at SDU's main campus in Odense and is expected to be onsite.

This research role involves publishing results, seeking external funding, and participating in ongoing projects. Teaching and supervision may be part of the duties, with leadership in evaluation tasks alongside project

Qualifications

• PhD in robotics or closely related field.
• Strong background in mobile robotics and computer vision.
• Experience with ROS2/Nav2 and perception/tracking.
• Proven ability to publish in high-quality venues.

Responsibilities

• Conduct research in mobile robotics and AI-based autonomous operation.
• Publish results in high-quality conferences/journals.
• Lead evaluation efforts with project partners and external funding.
• Participate in ongoing and future research projects.

Skills

ROS2

Nav2

Multi-object tracking

Robotics systems integration

English proficiency

Education

PhD in robotics

Tools

Simulation tools

Job description

SDU Roboticsiscurrently extending the team within mobile robotics. We thereforeinvite applications for one or more postdoc positions. The position is for a 2-year period with a starting date January 1, 2027, or as soon as possible thereafter. The workplace is at SDU's main campus in Odense, Denmark, and the work is expected to be primarily onsite.

What we offer

• An exciting opportunity to work at the cutting edge of robotics for real-world applications.
• A collaborative and supportive work environment that encourages innovation and creativity.
• Opportunities for professional growth and leadership.
• Access to state-of-the-art technology and resources.

Job description

SDU Robotics currently has an open 2-year postdoc position in relation to the mobile robotics lab specifically, for the development of a robotic solution for automated agriculture as well as related applications that require mobility in open terrain. We expect that the research activities involve both computer vision for scene understanding, tracking of relevant artefacts, as well as the integration and development of AI-based solutions for autonomous operation in scenarios within, e.g., field processing. The postdoc should contribute to the deployment of the developed solution in testing facilities at SDU as well as project partners and head the evaluation efforts in collaboration with a consortium of interdisciplinary project partners.

As a postdoctoral researcher, your role will encompass mainly research, but teaching and supervision responsibilities could also be part of employment. Themain duties and responsibilities include:

• Research in collaboration with colleagues from SDU Robotics.
• Conducting scientific research and publishing the results in high quality scientific conferences/journals.
• Supporting the team in securing external funding.
• Participation in ongoing and future research projects.

Profile and requirements

The position requires research experience at PhD level in a relevant area such as robotics, preferably applied to mobile robots controlled with multimodal feedback. The candidates are hence expected to have most of the following qualifications:

• Expert knowledge with ROS2 and relevant modules such as the Nav2
• Strong knowledge in multi-object tracking
• Experience in simulation of robotic systems
• Experience in design, development and integration of robotic systems

Furthermore, the successful candidates are expected to:

• Have excellent knowledge of English (written and spoken).
• Be ableto work well and communicate expert knowledge in an interdisciplinary team.
• Have the ability of working independently.
• Have a strong sense of responsibility.
• Conduct independent research.

Research environment

The candidates will be integrated in the unit SDU Robotics. We are a team of approximately 60 researchers and engineers based in Odense. We actively work across traditional disciplinary boundaries to develop new technologies and scientific knowledge. Our research contributes to novel solutions with applications in welfare, industrial automation, lab automation, and healthcare. Furthermore, the unit has a long-standing tradition of collaboration with industrial partners.

SDU Robotics is part of the Maersk Mc-Kinney Moller Institute at the Faculty of Engineering, University of Southern Denmark (SDU), and located at the main Campus in Odense, at the core of the Odense Robotics Cluster involving 120+ startups and established companies in robotics.

We value teamwork, professional diligence, enthusiasm for robotics and the drive to adopt new skills and extended responsibilities. We offer an open, international working environment with flexible work organization and support for individual development.

We look forward to receiving your application and to supporting your growth as a researcher within the field of robotics.

Further information

Further information about this position is available via email from Associate Professor Leon Bodenhagen [e-mail].

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

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

Further informationfor international applicants about entering and working in Denmark. You may also visitWorkinDenmarkfor additional information. Further informationabout The Faculty of Engineering.

Application

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

Employment as a postdoc requires scientific qualifications at PhD level at the time of employment.

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

• A motivation letter that clearly explains the applicant's interest, qualifications, and motivation for the position (max. 2 pages).
• Detailed Curriculum Vitae, including personal contact information.
• Verified copies of official certificates/diplomas and transcripts of exams (MSc and PhD),both the original documents and in professional English translation.
• List of publications and maximum 2 examples of relevant publications.
• Summary and documentation of experience in teaching, if relevant to the position, may also be included.
• A research statement may be included.
• References/reference letters may also be included.
• A statement/documentation of other qualifications relevant to the position may also be included.

All documents must be in English and PDF format. CPR number (civil registration number) must be crossed out. All PDF-files must be unlocked, allow binding and may not be password protected.

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

The University of Southern Denmark wishes 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, are subject to a number of security measures. Therefore, based on information from open sources, background checks may be conducted on candidates for the position.

Assessment and selection process

Applications will be assessed by an expert or 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

Employment as a postdoc requires scientific qualifications at PhD level at the time of employment. Extension may be possible depending on available funding(no more than 4 years at the same university).

This postdoc position is for a 2-year period with a starting date January 1, 2027 or as soon as possible thereafter. The workplace is at SDU's main campus in Odense, Denmark, and the work is expected to be primarily onsite.

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.

Appointment to the position 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 with the associated circular on the protocol for the job structure for academic staff at Danish universities and the provisions for postdoc as described herein.

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.

The person employed in the position may, based on a specific individual managerial assessment, be exempted from time registration, also known as a self-organiser.