Postdoc positions within Robotics for Laboratory Automation

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

Job summary

SDU Robotics invites applications for a two-year postdoc position within CAPeX, focusing on robotics for laboratory automation. The role involves developing a robotic solution to manipulate tubes, fragile vials, and liquids, using visual feedback to adapt to dynamic environments, and collaborating with SDU, DTU and CAPeX partners.

The position is primarily research with possible teaching duties; start date January 1, 2027; work at Odense campus, onsite.

Qualifications

• PhD in robotics or a related field with strong CV/robotics research.
• Experience with visual feedback control of robots.
• Experience in publishing in conferences/journals.
• Strong written and spoken English.
• Ability to work in an interdisciplinary team.

Responsibilities

• Research in SDU Robotics and CAPeX.
• Publish results in conferences/journals.
• Support securing external funding.
• Contribute to CAPeX deliverables.
• Collaborate with PhD students and postdocs.

Skills

Robotics control

Robot simulation

Robot design

Computer vision

English

Education

PhD in robotics or related field

Tools

Simulation software

Job description

Postdoc positions within Robotics for Laboratory Automation

SDU Robotics is currently extending the team within the project CAPeX which focuses on robotics for laboratory automation. We therefore invite applications for one or more fully funded 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.

An opportunity to collaborate with excellent researchers within the Pioneer Center for Accelerating P2X Materials Discovery

Job description

SDU Robotics currently has an open 2-year postdoc position in relation to CAPeX; specifically, for the development of a robotic solution for automation of laboratory experiments that require manipulation of tubes, fragile glass vials, and liquids. The robotic solution should be flexible in the sense that it should be able to conduct several experiments with little user‑intervention, operate alongside humans, and recover from failures. Consequently, visual feedback must be used for adapting robot behavior to a dynamic environment. The postdoc should contribute to the deployment of the developed solution in laboratories in both SDU and DTU. The successful candidate will work closely with other PhDs and postdoc candidates in CAPeX.

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

Research in collaboration with colleagues from SDU Robotics and CAPeX.

Conducting scientific research and publishing the results in high quality scientific conferences/journals.

Supporting the team in securing external funding.

Contributing to the project CAPeX deliverables.

Profile and requirements

The position requires research experience at PhD level in a relevant area such as robotics, preferably applied to robotic systems controlled using visual feedback. The candidate is hence expected to have most of the following qualifications:

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.

Furthermore, the successful candidate is expected to:

Have excellent knowledge of English (written and spoken).

Be able to work well and communicate expert knowledge in an interdisciplinary team.

Have the ability of working independently.

Have a strong sense of responsibility.

Research environment

The candidate will be integrated into the SDU Robotics unit, which is a team of approx. 60 employees. 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 for individual development.

SDU Robotics is part of the Maersk Mc-Kinney Moller Institute, 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. The group is involved in a variety of national and European projects and features a strong network of academic and industrial partners.

We are a team specialized in robot solutions involving modelling, estimation, and control of advanced robot systems. In addition, the candidate will be integrated into CAPeX — a pioneer center for accelerating P2X materials discovery and working on automation of laboratory experiments.

CAPeX is a 13-year and 300 MDKK 'Pioneer Center for Accelerating P2X Materials Discovery', funded by Danish Ministry of Higher Education and Science, the Danish National Research Foundation, the Carlsberg Foundation, the Lundbeck Foundation, the Novo Nordisk Foundation, and the Villum Foundation. CAPeX is hosted by the Technical University of Denmark (DTU) and co-hosted by Aalborg University (AAU), and unites leading experts from DTU, AAU, University of Copenhagen, Aarhus University, and the University of Southern Denmark with international partners from Stanford University, Utrecht University, and the University of Toronto to form a truly Pioneering Center on P2X. You can read more about the CAPeX research themes and X-trails, our organization, and the other open PhD and postdoc cohort positions at http://www.capex-p2x.com .

Further information

Further information about this position is available via email from Professor Christoffer Sloth [e-mail] .

The application deadline is October 28, 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.

Master’s and PhD degree certificates or equivalent (original and an official English translation).

List of publications and maximum 2 examples of relevant publications.

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.

Appointment as a postdoc is temporary for an initial 2-year period, and the preferred start date is from January 1, 2026. Extension may be possible depending on available funding(no more than 4 years at the same university).

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.

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 including the associated circular on the protocol for the job structure for academic staff at Danish universities and the provisions for postdoc 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'.