SDU Center for Large Structure Production (LSP), part of the Maersk Mc-Kinney Moller Institute (MMMI), at the University of Southern Denmark (SDU), invites applications for a fully funded PhD position on the topic of automated mapping and identification of large structure environments. The position will be vacant from 1 January 2026, or as soon as possible thereafter, for a 3-year period. Main work location is Odense Denmark at SDU campus and Odense Havn (Odense Port).

Work environment

The candidate will be part of SDU Center for Large Structure Production (LSP). LSP’s central ambition is to provide a physical “go-to” lab for companies in the sectors construction, maritime, and energy to carry out research, development, and testing of novel solutions in the production of large structures, such as buildings, ships and offshore platforms. In this context, the candidate is expected to work closely with our academic and industrial partners on application-oriented methods and technologies, with the support of the unique set of equipment of the center. 

LSP is closely working together the companies at Odense Havn and similar partners making large structures across Denmark and Europe. LSP is integrated with the Odense Robotics Cluster involving startups and established companies in robotics. We are a team of currently about 20 researchers, engineers and PhD students, specialized in robot solutions involving modelling, simulation, and control of advanced robot technologies (systems and services) for application-oriented industrial applications. 

Our group is involved in a variety of national and European projects and features a strong network of academic and industrial partners. We solve challenging research problems derived from real-life challenges by implementing novel robot solutions. 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.

Job description

Building and infrastructures at their end of life are today dismantled without much care about potential extraction of recyclable materials – due to the costs of more careful (and manual) deconstruction procedures as well as the lack of automated solutions to reduce such additional costs. To address this situation, the PhD position will focus on the development of methods and technologies to increasingly support cost-efficient material extraction from the careful disassembly of buildings and infrastructures. 

In particular, the PhD candidate will address the aspect of mapping and identification of large structure environments. For operating automated equipment in large structure environment, it is necessary to have access to a map of its topology, which may be based on BIM data (if existent) and floor plans or must be generated from collecting and interpreting 3D point clouds. Specifically for the purpose of deconstruction and material extraction, such a map needs to additionally contain the identification of valuable materials for extraction as well as extraction strategies depending on their location and consequences from their extraction (e.g. basic structural robustness). 

The PhD position is part of the project “Civil Engineering and the Green Transition in the Built Environment” (CEBE) donated by the Villum Foundation and will thus be embedded in other research and development activities at SDU and other Danish universities, and it will be interdisciplinary, with interfaces and interactions to civil engineering and other engineering disciplines. 

Profile and requirements

The candidate is expected to have most of the following qualifications:

• Master’s degree in engineering, preferably supported by first academic publications

• Documented experience with simulation and Digital Twins

• Strong mathematics skills and practical knowledge in 3D modelling

• Strong programming skills (particularly in C/C++ and Python)

• Documented knowledge in industrial robotics and kinematics

• Ability to work independently as part of an agile team, with a strong sense of responsibility

• Willingness to engage in application-oriented R&D, by closely interacting with partners

Contact information

For further information, please contact Professor Christian Schlette via email (chsch@mmmi.sdu.dk) or on LinkedIn (www.linkedin.com/in/christian-schlette/).

Further information

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

Before applying the candidates are advised to read the Faculty information for prospective PhD students and the SDU information on how to apply.

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

• Motivated application. 

• Curriculum Vitae.

• Master’s and bachelor’s degree certificates or equivalent, including transcripts of grades (copy of original/official English translation).  

• Completed TEK PhD application form for 5+3 applicants. Find the form at the Faculty website.

• Completed TEK PhD form for calculation grade point average. Find the form at the Faculty website. 

• An official document describing the grading scheme of the awarding universities (if not Danish). 

• Only for applicants from programmes that evaluate thesis/examination project by approved/not approved: An official written assessment of the thesis or dissertation project from the grade giving institution. The statement must clearly state that the candidate has been among the top 30 pct. in the graduation class for the study programme.

• List of publications and maximum 2 examples of relevant publications (in case you have any publications).

• References may be included, you're welcome to use the form for reference letter at the Faculty website.

• A statement/documentation of other qualifications relevant to the position may also be included.

UPLOAD GUIDE: Motivated application shall be uploaded as ‘Cover letter’ (max. 5 MB), Curriculum Vitae shall be uploaded as ‘Resume’ (max 5 MB). All other documents shall be uploaded as ‘Miscellaneous documents’ (max 10 files of max 50 MB per file).

All documents must be in English and PDF format. CPR number (civil registration no.) must be crossed out. All PDF-files must be unlocked and allow binding and may not be password protected.

The application deadline is December 1, 2025, 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.  

Conditions of enrollment/employment

Appointment as a PhD fellow is a 3-year salaried position, and the monthly gross salary incl. pension is 36.581 DKK. If you have relevant postgraduate experience, you may be placed on a higher salary step. 

Applicants must hold a master’s degree (equivalent to a Danish master's degree) at the time of enrollment and employment. Employment is contingent on enrollment approved by the PhD School. Enrollment will be in accordance with Faculty regulations and the Danish Ministerial Order on the PhD Programme at the Universities (PhD order). 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 with the associated circular on the job structure for academic staff at Danish universities and the provisions for PhD fellows as described herein as well as the Protocol on PhD fellows signed by the Danish Ministry of Finance and the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations (AC). Further information about salary and conditions of employment. The person employed in the position may, based on a specific individual managerial evaluation, be exempted from time registration, also known as a “self-organizer”.

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The University of Southern Denmark wishes our 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, 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.

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.