DTU Tenure Track Researcher in Computer Vision and AI for Wind Turbine Components - DTU Wind

Do you want to be part of a section that aims to reduce the time required for and increase the value of physical testing of wind turbine structural components by using high-performance virtual testing and cutting-edge digital technologies? Do you want to contribute to the scientific development of structural virtual testing and digitalization?

A Tenure Track Researcher position is available at the Structural Virtual Testing and Digitalization section at the Division of Materials and Components of DTU Wind and Energy Systems. The section’s expertise lies in multi-scale progressive failure analysis using advanced finite element models and simulation techniques. This is enabled by digital and sensor technologies such as artificial intelligence, computer vision, drones, and robotics, which are utilized for efficient, non-destructive inspection, damage characterization, damage evaluation, and health monitoring of wind turbine structural elements and components. We develop tools and software to increase both the accuracy and efficiency of structural digital representation as virtual digital twins, providing high-quality value-added services to the industry.

Responsibilities and qualifications
The Researcher will have the opportunity to join a cross-disciplinary, international team working on developing virtual testing and digitalization methods for wind turbine structures and components. The areas of responsibility include: 

• Develop computer vision and AI models for detecting wind turbine blade damage and predicting its progression, with experimental validation carried out at DTU test facilities and with industrial partners.
• Development of thermography and computer vision-based methods for modelling and predicting static and fatigue damage evolution with a focus on wind turbine blades.
• Development of multimodal AI models that fuse data from multiple types of sensors to accurately model and predict wind turbine blade damage.
• Establish and develop data science pipelines for wind turbine blade research, including data collection, processing, and analysis. Participate in or lead software development projects related to wind turbine blade research.
• It is required that the research is published as journal papers and presented at scientific conferences. Most of the work will be done in nationally and internationally funded research projects. 
• Candidates should have or develop skills to write research project proposals and lead projects.
• Teaching will be a limited part of the position.

Good communication skills, patience, and a positive attitude to working in a team are essential requirements for the successful applicant. The daily working language is English. 

Our research teams work in several fields, and we therefore expect you to have a background and qualifications in some of the following areas:

• Specialization in machine learning and computer vision.
• Strong skills in developing computer vision and AI models.
• Experience with thermography or thermal imaging.
• Experience in data fusion and multimodal learning.
• Experience with damage detection or industrial image anomaly detection is an advantage.
• Experience with commercial software development is an advantage.
• Experience with wind energy is an advantage.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a research environment.
• Fluency in communication, reading, and writing English.

You must contribute to the teaching of courses. DTU employs two working languages: Danish and English. You are expected to be fluent in at least one of these languages, and in time are expected to master both.

As formal qualification you must hold a PhD degree (or equivalent).

You will be assessed against the responsibilities and qualifications stated above and the following general criteria:

• Research experience
• Experience and quality of teaching 
• Research vision and potential
• International impact and experience 
• Societal impact
• Innovativeness, including commercialization and collaboration with industry
• Leadership, collaboration, and interdisciplinary skills
• Communication skills

Salary and terms of employment
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. 

Starting date is November 1, 2025, or according to mutual agreement. The position is a full-time position. The daily workplace is DTU Risø Campus, Roskilde, Denmark. Some travelling can be expected.

The position is part of DTU’s Tenure Track program. Read more about the program and the recruitment process here.

You can read more about career paths at DTU here.

Further information 
For further information regarding this position, please contact Head of Section, Associate Professor Xiao Chen (+45 93513567, xiac@dtu.dk, https://orbit.dtu.dk/en/persons/xiao-chen).

You can read more about DTU Wind and Energy Systems at www.vindenergi.dtu.dk/english 

You can read more about Structural Virtual Testing and Digitalization Section at https://wind.dtu.dk/research/research-divisions/materials-and-components/structural-virtual-testing-and-digitalization 

If you are applying from abroad, you may find useful information on working in Denmark and at DTU at DTU – Moving to Denmark.

Application procedure 
Your complete online application must be submitted no later than 10 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:

• Application (cover letter)
• Vision for teaching and research for the tenure track period 
• CV including employment history, list of publications, H-index and ORCID (see http://orcid.org/)
• Teaching portfolio including documentation of teaching experience 
• Academic Diplomas (MSc/PhD)

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.

The Department of Wind and Energy Systems is one of the world’s largest centers of wind energy and energy systems research and knowledge, with a staff of more than 400 people from 37 countries working in research, innovation, research-based consulting, and education. DTU Wind and Energy Systems has approximately 90 Ph.D. students. The department’s cross-disciplinary research is organized through strategic research programs that collaborate with Danish and international universities, research institutions, and organizations, as well as the wind industry.

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.