SDU Robotics - Associate Professor in Imitation Learning and Control for Industrial and Medical Robotics

SDU Robotics invites applications for potentially several associate professor positions within the research and teaching area of imitation learning and control for medical and industrial robotics. 

The application deadline is 28 July 2024 at 11.59 PM/23.59 (CET/CEST) 

The successful candidates will be integrated in the section SDU Robotics(robotics.sdu.dk), which is a team of approx. 50 employees, specialized in research and development of robot solutions within the medical, welfare and industrial domain. 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 of individual development.

SDU Robotics is involved in a variety of national and European projects and features a strong network of academic and industrial partners. The aim of the group is to solve challenging research problems derived from real-life challenges by implementing novel robot solutions. We participate in implementing the achieved results in real solutions with end users as national hospitals, Universal Robots, LEGO, and Novo Nordisk.

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 130+ startups and established companies in robotics. 

Job description
The candidates will participate in activities of the section, including current and future research projects and teaching. This involves for example:

• To be able to collaborate with our experts and colleagues from SDU Robotics in the further development of our core technologies. 
• To participate in the practicalities of actual industrial applications. 
• To be deeply involved in our regular coordination and joint evolvement of research and project activities. 
• To raise funding and manage research projects. 
• To organize, plan and conduct excellent teaching for undergraduate and graduate courses. 
• To independently supervise project courses, and BSc, MSc, and PhD thesis projects. 

The position as an associate professor involves primary responsibilities related to research (including the obligation to publish and disseminate scientific knowledge) and research-based teaching (including examination duties) – research and teaching obligations equally. Additionally, the role may encompass knowledge exchange with society, including participation in public debates. Furthermore, it may entail responsibilities such as research management, curriculum development, guidance, supervision, and scholarly assessment. The university determines the specific allocation of tasks, and the emphasis on these tasks may vary over time.

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

Further information about this position is available via email from professor Thiusius R. Savarimuthu trs@mmmi.sdu.dk

If you experience technical problems, you must contact hcm-support@sdu.dk.

Application procedure

Before applying the candidates are expected to read the SDU information on How to apply and Faculty information on How to apply – Academic staff.

The application and all enclosures shall be in English and include:  

• Motivated personal application. 
• Detailed Curriculum Vitae including personal contact information.
• Certificates/diplomas (MSc and PhD) – original and in English translation.
• Information on previous teaching and supervision experience. Please see Faculty information on as Teaching Portfolio.
• List of publications.
• Publications most relevant for the position. Please attach as pdf-files.
• References (names and emails) and/or Reference letters.
• Documentation of other relevant qualifications.

Assessment and selection process

Read about the Assessment and selection process. 

Applications will be assessed by an assessment committee. Shortlisting may be applied. Only shortlisted candidates will receive a written assessment. Read about shortlisting at SDU.

Interviews and tests may be part of the process.
Conditions of employment

Appointment as associate professor is permanent. 

Employment as an associate professor requires academic qualifications at PhD level as well as scientific and educational qualifications at a level achievable based on satisfactory completion of a period of employment as assistant professor/researcher but may be achievable by other means.  

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

The application deadline is 28 July 2024 at 11.59 PM/23.59 (CET/CEST) 

Formalities

• According to the University of Southern Denmark’s internal guidelines, there must be at least three qualified applicants to a position before it can be filled.
• Documents should not contain a CPR number (civil registration number) – in this case, the CPR number must be crossed out.
• The application and CV must not exceed 10 MB. 

The University of Southern Denmark wishes to reflect the surrounding community and therefore encourages everyone, regardless of personal background, to apply for the position.

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.

There are 2 vacancies

Profile and requirements
The position requires research experience within imitation learning and control for industrial or medical robotics applications. This includes documented knowledge within some of the following technologies/areas: 

• Dynamical systems and probabilistic methods for robot learning from demonstration (e.g., dynamic movement primitives, GMM/GMR, kernelized movement primitives, etc.).
• Online estimation and adaptive control, particularly force and compliance control for industrial or medical applications (e.g., assembly, processing, ultrasound scanning).
• Neural network and deep learning-based methods in the context of imitation learning.
• Integration of learning from demonstration methods into medical and industrial assembly applications.

The candidates must hold a relevant PhD (or hold a PhD within robotics) and are expected to have most of the following qualifications:

• Research demonstrated by publications in relevant scientific journals and conferences.
• Experience in acquiring and coordinating publicly and/or privately funded projects.
• Strong track record of directly engaging with industrial partners in application-oriented projects and/or a relevant international network for research and collaboration activities.
• Experience with teaching and independently supervising project courses, and BSc and MSc thesis projects.

Furthermore, the successful candidates are 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.

In the assessment of candidates, consideration will be given to: 

• Research demonstrated by publications in relevant scientific journals and conferences.
• Experience in interdisciplinary research collaboration.
• Teaching experience.
• A relevant international network for research and collaboration activities, research experience abroad.
• Experience in attracting funding for research projects and demonstrated experience in research leadership.

The candidates must hold a relevant PhD (or hold a PhD within robotics