Research Assistant within Bayesian Machine Learning for Computer Vision and Robot Control

To support our advancements in Bayesian machine learning for computer vision and robot control applications, SDU Robotics invites applications for a fully funded Research Assistant position. The position is for a 1-year period with an expected starting date in September and 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.

Research environment 
The candidate will be integrated into the unit SDU Robotics with a team of approx. 60 employees specialized in robot solutions involving modelling, estimation, and control of advanced robot systems. 

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 Universal Robots, hospitals, Terma, LEGO, Danfoss and Novo Nordisk.

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. We also offer an exciting opportunity to work at the cutting edge of robotics for real-world applications and access to state-of-the-art technology and resources.

SDU Robotics is part of the Maersk Mc-Kinney Moller Institute, University of Southern Denmark (SDU), and located at the main Campus in Odense, at the core of the Odense Robotics Cluster involving 120+ startups and established companies in robotics. 

Project description 
The VP KITE (Vision-based Kinesthetic Teaching through Estimation of User Intent) project aims to investigate how to help guide the human demonstrator in providing faster and more precise kinesthetic teaching. This can be done by using Bayesian AI methods that incorporate prior knowledge of likely intentions estimated from a combination of visual information and previous trajectory history.

The VP AURI (Active Uncertainty-aware Robot Imitation) project aims to apply Bayesian machine learning methods, such as Gaussian Process Regression and Bayesian Neural Networks, to robot imitation learning. In this way, we aim to make the process safer, by detecting when the system might make prediction errors, and more efficient, by including the human in the loop and using active learning to determine which demonstrations to collect.

The candidate would work on both projects and be responsible for:

• Implementing AI and probabilistic ML algorithms
• Development of computer vision systems
• Implementation of robot control algorithms
• Integration of all of the above
• Designing and conducting lab experiments 

Profile and requirements 
The candidate will participate in SDU Robotics’ comprehensive research activities within the areas of artificial intelligence, computer vision, control, and learning from demonstration. The position requires a master’s degree (equivalent to a Danish master’s degree) within robotics, computer science, data science, or related fields. The candidate is expected to have a profound knowledge on the majority of the following topics:

• Machine learning (deep neural networks)
• Probability theory
• Computer vision
• Robotics
• Programming skills (Python, C++) and ML libraries (PyTorch, Tensorflow)

Preferably, the candidate has experience with: 

• Bayesian machine learning
• Control theory
• Experimental design and data analysis
• Simulation

Furthermore, the successful candidate is expected to:

• Have excellent knowledge of English (written and spoken).
• Be able to work well and communicate expert knowledge in an interdisciplinary team.
• Have high self-motivation to learn. 
• Have the ability of working independently. 
• Have a strong sense of responsibility.

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 Iñigo Iturrate (inju@mmmi.sdu.dk).

If you experience technical problems, please 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.

Application procedure

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

The application deadline is July 31, 2025, at 11.59 PM/23.59 (CET/CEST)

 

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

• A motivation letter that clearly explains the applicant's interest, qualifications and motivation for the position (max. 2 pages).
• Detailed Curriculum Vitae including personal contact information.
• Copies of the official bachelor diploma and master's diploma and transcripts of exams, both the original documents and in professional English translation.
• List of publications and maximum 2 examples of relevant publications, in case you have any publications.
• References (names and emails) and/or reference letters may be included. 
• Documentation of other qualifications with relevance 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.

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

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
The employment as research assistant is temporary and will cease without further notice at the end of the period. The position is for a 1-year period with the possibility of extension. The starting date is expected to be in September and 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.

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

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.

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.
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