About this role
The Danish Institute for Advanced Study (DIAS) and the Maersk Mc-Kinney Moller Institute at the University of Southern Denmark (SDU) seek an outstanding candidate to fill a tenure track Fellow (Assistant Professor level) position in the field of Robotics. The candidate is expected to start on January 1, 2027, or as soon as possible thereafter. The application deadline is September 15, 2026, at 11.59 PM/23.59 (CET/CEST) We are looking for a researcher with clear potential for research excellence who thrives in and is inspired by interdisciplinary collaboration. The ideal candidate will be expected to contribute to high-quality research in their field while embracing DIAS’s mission of curiosity-driven inquiry and interdisciplinary dialogue. The successful candidate should have a strong and promising research profile, with potential for attracting external research funding, and a demonstrated ability to work across disciplines. The candidate will be attached to both the Department and DIAS and should be prepared to engage in multiple and diverse research environments at SDU. Who are we looking for We seek a researcher with expertise in the field of Robotics, who is eager to develop their research career within the DIAS framework. The ideal candidate should demonstrate: A commitment to engaging in boundary-crossing interdisciplinary research and dialogue. A strong commitment to interdisciplinary collaboration, contributing to research that bridges multiple fields. Strong interest in driving internationally competitive research activities at the highest level of ambition. Engagement in various forms of research dissemination, including interdisciplinary research and dialogue. Qualifications Successful applicants must: Have research experience in computer vision fields related to laboratory automation. This could include (but is not limited to) methods for: vision-based handling of laboratory equipment, in particular glassware and fluids segmentation and vision-based handling of medical specimens and fluids Hold a PhD or similar qualifications within relevant fields of Robotics, such as robotics control, modelling, computer vision, medical/industrial robotics and artificial intelligence. Exhibit curiosity-driven research excellence, thinking beyond traditional boundaries. Be fluent in English. Show potential for attracting external research funding. Experience in applying for external funding and a strong international network, are considered comparative advantages. Have research publications that demonstrate their excellence and broad thinking. The Danish Institute for Advanced Study (DIAS) DIAS at SDU is a hub for interdisciplinary excellence at and beyond the frontier of knowledge, bringing together outstanding researchers from various disciplines to foster groundbreaking interdisciplinary research and bold innovation. DIAS nurtures a collaborative and curiosity-driven environment, encouraging scholars to think outside the box and challenge conventional boundaries. The institute values open-minded exploration and an ambitious yet collegial atmosphere with a strong sense of community. Researchers affiliated with DIAS are expected to contribute actively to DIAS activities, and engage in interdisciplinary collaborations across faculties and departments, both nationally and internationally. The Department MMMI The Maersk Mc-Kinney Moller Institute is an internationally recognized institute, which has maintained a leading position in robotics for more than three decades. The institute is the origin of robotics research in Denmark and has spawned the world-renowned cluster of robotics in Odense with more than 130 robotics companies including Universal Robots and Mobile Industrial Robots. Building on our expertise in AI, robotics and software, we have raised strong research centres in related domains, such as Health Informatics and Energy Informatics, Drones and other relevant research areas. SDU Robotics SDU Robotics conducts research among others within the fields of robotics and computer vision. The unit focuses on research problems from real robotics applications within manufacturing industries, hospitals, elderly care, and other partners in society. The unit also focuses on Robot related vision technologies for facilitating industrial part feeding, automated product assembly, uncertainty aware quality inspection, and biomedical segmentation for diagnosis and robot control. SDU Robotics’ research involves mathematical modeling and control of robots, robotic processes and robot systems, human-robot interactions, computer vision for reliable inspection and robot control, and simulation technologies for robotics and computer vision aimed at closing the Sim2Real gap. Artificial Intelligence is widely applied within all research fields. Additional information For further information about being a professor at DIAS, please contact DIAS director Sten Rynning at +45 6550 2193 or via email at [email protected] . For more questions about the position please contact Head of Unit, Professor Thiusius Rajeeth Savarimuthu at [email protected] . Application, salary, and employment terms The candidate will be attached to The Maersk Mc-Kinney Moller Institute in Odense and is also expected to participate in DIAS activities and interdisciplinary cooperation in Odense regularly. The successful applicant will be employed 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 tenure track assistant professor as described herein. Persons employed in the position may, based on a specific individual managerial assessment, be exempted from time registration, also known as a “self-organizer”. Further information on salary and taxation. The tenu