SDU Robotics, part of the Maersk Mc-Kinney Moller Institute, University of Southern Denmark (SDU), invites applications for one or more fully funded 1-year Research Assistant positions, where the candidate will work under the ARBAL project that aims to develop a fully automated robotic bronchoscopy system for Bronchoalveolar lavage. ARBAL. The starting date will be agreed with the successful candidate. 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.

Project description

We are currently extending our team working on the ARBAL project which focuses on developing a fully automated robotic bronchoscopy system for Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) guided by artificial intelligence. ARBAL will deliver expert-level precision and consistency, reduce waiting times, and improve outcomes by enabling earlier diagnoses of lung infections.

Currently, BAL is performed manually under image guidance. Navigating the lung’s complex, maze-like anatomy is especially challenging for less experienced bronchoscopists, often leading to missed segments or unnecessary exploration for fluid collection. With increasing demand and limited specialist availability, there is a critical need for new technologies that ensure both precision and accessibility of BAL. 

This project focuses on the development of a comprehensive framework for controlling a robotic bronchoscopy system equipped with a commercial bronchoscope. The objective is to enable autonomous navigation through up to three bronchial generations and reliably reach predefined anatomical targets specified for BAL, guided by real-time interpretation of endoscopic video. Achieving this requires the integration of advanced medical image analysis for scene understanding with intelligent robotic control strategies that ensure accurate path following while maintaining safe distances from the airway walls.

The successful candidate will be responsible for developing artificial intelligence methods for real-time interpretation of bronchoscopy video, as well as designing and implementing a closed-loop robotic control system for autonomous navigation. In addition, the candidate will contribute to dataset acquisition and work closely with clinical experts within the ARBAL consortium to validate the proposed solutions in realistic and clinically relevant scenarios.

Profile and requirements

The candidate will participate in SDU Robotics’ comprehensive research and teaching activities within the area of robotics. The position requires a master’s degree (equivalent to a Danish master’s degree) within a relevant Robotics, Biomedical, or a similar field and the candidate is expected to have a profound knowledge on most of the following topics:

• Deep Learning 

• Medical imaging

• Robot control

Preferably, the candidate has experience with: 

• Robotic simulation tools 

• Medical applications

• Sensors and actuators

• Scientific writing and presentation

Furthermore, the successful candidate is expected to:

• Have excellent knowledge of English (written and spoken).

• Have high self-motivation to learn. 

• 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 in the section SDU Robotics, which is at the core of the  Odense Robotics Cluster involving Universal Robots, Mobile Industrial Robots (MIR) and 120+ other companies. We are a team of appr. 60 researchers and engineers specialized in robot solutions involving modelling, estimation, and control of advanced robot technologies. 

The 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 from real applications and implement novel robot solutions together with end users such as hospitals, Novo Nordisk, LEGO and Danfoss.

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.

We look forward to receiving your application and to supporting your academic growth as a researcher in SDU Robotics. 

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

Further information about this position is available via email from Bruno Miguel Gomes Oliveira at  broli@mmmi.sdu.dk . 

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

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.

ODENSE
As the 3rd largest city in Denmark, Odense provides the perfect combination of a historic city center with an urban field yet a close proximity to beaches and recreational areas. Its location on the beautiful island of Funen is ideal with easy access by train or highway to the bigger cities of Aarhus and Copenhagen; direct trains can take you straight to Copenhagen airport in less than 2 hours. Since 1966 the city has been a university town, and strong collaborative ties are in place between the University of Southern Denmark and the many Danish and International corporations in the region. As the birthplace of Hans Christian Andersen, Denmark’s famous fairytale author, the city is home to a vibrant and creative population that hosts numerous festivals and markets throughout the year.

Application procedure
Applicants are advised to read the SDU information on how to apply.

The application deadline is February 1, 2026, at 23:59 (CET/CEST). 

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

• Motivation letter stating your specific interest, motivation and qualifications for the project in question (max. 2 pages). 

• Detailed Curriculum Vitae including personal contact information.

• Verified copies of the official bachelor diploma and master’s diploma and transcripts of exams, both the original documents and in professional English translation.

The application may also include:

• References (names and emails) and/or reference letters.

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

• Documentation of other qualifications with relevance for the position. 

All files must be in English and must be in PDF format. All files must be unlocked and allow binding and may not be password protected. Documents should not contain a CPR number (civil registration number) – in this case, the CPR number must be crossed out.

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

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

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
Read about the Assessment and selection process. Shortlisting may be used in the assessment process. Only shortlisted applicants will receive an assessment. Read about shortlisting at SDU.  Applications will be assessed by an assessment committee or an expert. Assessment is based on the application material. Interviews and tests may be part of the selection process.

Conditions of employment

Employment as a research assistant requires educational qualifications at minimum master’s level (equivalent to a Danish master’s degree) at the time for employment. 

Appointment as research assistant is temporary for an initial 1-year period, and the preferred start date is from. Extension may be possible depending on available funding. The starting date will be agreed with the successful candidates. 

The workplace is at SDU's main campus in Odense, Denmark, and the work is expected to be primarily onsite.

The person employed in the position may, based on a specific individual managerial assessment, be exempted from time registration, also known as a self-organiser.

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 research assistant as described herein. Further information on salary and taxation.