As a PhD candidate, you will have the unique chance to contribute to groundbreaking research that merges the fields of control theory, artificial intelligence, and robotics. You will work alongside leading experts in the field, collaborate with national and international partners, and access state-of-the-art facilities.
This position offers a pathway to a highly impactful career, opening doors to opportunities in academia, industry, and government. Whether you are driven by the desire to push the boundaries of technology, contribute to maritime security, or lead innovations in the growing field of autonomous systems, this PhD position will equip you with the skills, knowledge, and experience to succeed.
If you are passionate, driven, and ready to make waves, we want you on our team! Our inclusive research environment values diverse perspectives and encourages applications from candidates of all backgrounds. Let’s build a safer ocean together!
The research of this project has civilian objectives. However, equipment restricted by export licenses and ITAR (International Traffic in Arms Regulations) is being used. Applicants that are citizens of Denmark, Norway and other NATO countries, Australia, Austria, Finland, Ireland, Israel, Japan, the Republic of Korea, New Zealand, Sweden, Switzerland, and Ukraine are eligible. Other applicants should provide evidence of eligibility to use such equipment for their application to be considered.
Responsibilities and qualifications
Your overall focus will be to strengthen DTU expertise in autonomous marine systems. The research focus will be on development, implementation and verification of novel algorithms for motion planning and control of autonomous underwater vehicles. You will become part of an inspiring research environment focusing on the development of autonomous systems technologies for the marine environment. You will also gain international experience by engaging with academic institutions abroad.
Your primary tasks will be to:
You must have a two-year master's degree (120 ECTS points) or a similar degree with an academic level equivalent to a two-year master's degree. Additionally, you should meet the following qualifications
Approval and Enrolment
The scholarship for the PhD degree is subject to academic approval, and the candidate will be enrolled in one of the general degree programmes at DTU. For information about our enrolment requirements and the general planning of the PhD study programme, please see DTU's rules for the PhD education
.
Assessment
The assessment of the applicants will be made by Associate Professor Roberto Galeazzi and Associate Professor Dimitrios Papageorgiou.
We offer
DTU is a leading technical university globally recognized for the excellence of its research, education, innovation and scientific advice. We offer a rewarding and challenging job in an international environment. We strive for academic excellence in an environment characterized by collegial respect and academic freedom tempered by responsibility.
Salary and appointment terms
The appointment will be based on the collective agreement with the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations. The allowance will be agreed upon with the relevant union.
The period of employment is 3 years. The preferred starting date is 1 October 2025, or according to a mutual agreement. The position is a full-time position.
You can read more about career paths at DTU here http://www.dtu.dk/english/about/job-and-career/working-at-dtu/career-paths.
Further information
Further information may be obtained from Roberto Galeazzi, Associate Professor, Leader of the Control, Robotics and Embodied AI group at DTU Electro by sending an email to roga@dtu.dk
.
You can read more about the Department of Electrical and Photonics Engineering (DTU Electro) at www.electro.dtu.dk.
If you are applying from abroad, you may find useful information on working in Denmark and at DTU at DTU – Moving to Denmark
. Furthermore, you have the option of joining our monthly free seminar “PhD relocation to Denmark and startup “Zoom” seminar
” for all questions regarding the practical matters of moving to Denmark and working as a PhD at DTU.
Application procedure
Your complete online application must be submitted no later than 16 July 2025 (23:59 Danish time)
. Applications must be submitted as one PDF file
containing all materials to be given consideration. To apply, please open the link "Apply now", fill out the online application form, and attach all your materials in English in one PDF file
. The file must include:
You may apply prior to obtaining your master's degree but cannot begin before having received it.
Applications received after the deadline will not be considered.
All interested candidates irrespective of age, gender, disability, race, religion or ethnic background are encouraged to apply. As DTU works with research in critical technology, which is subject to special rules for security and export control, open-source background checks may be conducted on qualified candidates for the position.
DTU Electro
has more than 300 employees with competencies in electrical and photonics engineering. Research is performed within robotics, autonomous systems, power electronics, acoustic, nanophotonics, lasers, quantum photonics, optical sensors, LEDs, photovoltaics, ultra-high speed optical transmission systems, bio-photonics.
Technology for people
DTU develops technology for people. With our international elite research and study programmes, we are helping to create a better world and to solve the global challenges formulated in the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Hans Christian Ørsted founded DTU in 1829 with a clear mission to develop and create value using science and engineering to benefit society. That mission lives on today. DTU has 13,500 students and 6,000 employees. We work in an international atmosphere and have an inclusive, evolving, and informal working environment. DTU has campuses in all parts of Denmark and in Greenland, and we collaborate with the best universities around the world.