University of Southern Denmark
PhD Positions in Human-Robot Interaction for Welfare Robotics
🇩🇰Odense, South Denmark, Denmark6 days ago
DKK 439K – DKK 439KFull Time
SDU Robotics, part of the Maersk Mc-Kinney Moller Institute, University of Southern Denmark (SDU), invites applications for one or more 3-year PhD positions, as part of the newly launched ROBOWELL project. The starting date is from August 1, 2026, or as soon as possible thereafter. The workplace is at SDU's main campus in Odense, Denmark, and the work is expected to be primarily onsite.
What we offer
Project description
As part of the newly launched ROBOWELL project, we are now seeking a talented and motivated PhD candidate.
ROBOWELL aims to develop a Nordic model for the integration of social robots in welfare services, including elderly care. The project brings together partners from Denmark, Norway, and Sweden, and the successful candidate will be part of a strong interdisciplinary and international collaboration, collaborating with PhD fellows at partner institutions.
At SDU Robotics, the candidate will become part of a dynamic research environment with ongoing projects in robotics, computer vision, and human-robot interaction, and will contribute to both research and teaching activities within the unit. We are embedded in a strong national and international network and collaborate closely with the Center for Clinical Robotics, located at SDU and Odense University Hospital, providing unique opportunities for translational research in real-world healthcare settings.
Required Qualifications
Applicants must hold a master’s degree in robotics, engineering, computer science, or a closely related, relevant field by the time of employment. Applicants in the final semester of their master’s programme are also encouraged to apply.
Strong competencies in most of the following areas are expected:
Familiarity with the welfare or health-care domain would be considered an advantage, but not essential.
In addition, the candidate should:
Research environment
SDU Robotics is a unit within the Maersk Mc-Kinney Moller Institute at the Faculty of Engineering, University of Southern Denmark (SDU). We are a team of approximately 60 employees based in Odense. We actively work across traditional disciplinary boundaries to develop new technologies and scientific knowledge. Our research contributes to novel solutions with applications in industrial automation, lab automation, welfare, and healthcare. Furthermore, the unit has a long-standing tradition of collaboration with industrial partners.
We value teamwork, professional diligence, enthusiasm for robotics and the drive to adopt new skills and extended responsibilities. We offer an open, international working environment with flexible work organization and support for individual development.
We look forward to receiving your application and to supporting your growth as a researcher within the field of 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 Associate Professor Leon Bodenhagen (lebo@mmmi.sdu.dk) or Associate Professor Oskar Palinko (ospa@mmmi.sdu.dk ).
If you experience technical problems, please contact our email support.
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
Before applying the candidates are advised to read the Faculty information for prospective PhD students and the SDU information on how to apply.
The application deadline is June 30, 2026, at 11:59 PM/23:59 (CET/CEST)
Assessment of candidates is based on the application material, and the application must include:
All documents must be in English and PDF format. CPR number (civil registration number) must be crossed out. All PDF-files must be unlocked, allow binding and may not be password protected.
SUBMISSION GUIDE: Motivated application must be uploaded under ‘Cover letter’ (max. 5 MB), Curriculum Vitae must be uploaded under ‘Resume’ (max 5 MB). All other documents must be uploaded under ‘Miscellaneous documents’ (max 10 files with a maximum 50 MB per file).
If you experience technical problems, please contact our email support.
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
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 employment/enrollment
Appointment as a PhD fellow is a 3-year salaried position, and the monthly gross salary incl. pension is 36.608 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 including the associated circular on the job structure for academic staff at Danish universities and the provisions for PhD fellows as described therein 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.
Persons employed in the position may, based on a specific individual managerial assessment, be exempted from time registration, also known as a “self-organizer”.
The University of Southern Denmark was established to create value for and with society. Whether our contributions come in the form of excellent research, innovative solutions, education or learning, we must make a positive difference to society and contribute to a sustainable future. We do this by cultivating talents and creating the best environments for research and learning. It is therefore crucial that SDU retains, develops and recruits talent. At the same time, we need to ensure consistently high quality in all our activities – and we can only do that with the right people. The University’s researchers, lecturers, students, managers and technical/administrative staff are the foundation of our success.
