PhD scholarship in Intelligent Motion Control of Autonomous Underwater Vehicles - DTU Electro

Are you passionate about robotics, the ocean, and making a real-world impact? Join us in shaping the future of underwater autonomy with a fully funded PhD position focused on cutting-edge motion planning and control for next-generation autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs). As part of a dynamic, interdisciplinary team, you will contribute to the development of an innovative AUV system designed to safeguard underwater infrastructure. This is a unique opportunity to dive deep into advanced robotics research, gain hands-on experience with real-world testing, and make your mark in a field where your creativity and technical skills can help shape safer and smarter oceans.

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:

• Perform internationally relevant research in planning, guidance, navigation and control of AUVs operating in partly structured environments
• Contribute to the design, implementation and testing of a novel AUV concept
• Carry out experimental work with AUVs in real marine environments for data collection and validation of developed solutions
• Lead the preparation of scientific publications towards ISI journals and highly ranked international conferences
• Share the findings of your research with qualified professional audiences
• Co-supervise BSc and MSc projects possibly within areas relevant to the PhD project
• Provide teaching assistance in BSc and MSc courses at DTU Electro

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

• You have a strong analytical skills and background in control theory, state estimation, and motion planning.
• You have documented experience through courses, projects or former professional work to develop and test solutions for real robotic systems
• You are proficient in ROS/ROS2, Python and/or C++/C#
• Knowledge and/or experience within one or more of the fields of acoustic sensing, hydrodynamics, and machine learning is a plus.
• You have strong communication skills in English, especially in connection to writing and presenting scientific results.
• Your curiosity and passion drive you to uncover the unknown. Your energy enables you to collaborate effectively with peers and pursue independent work towards shared objectives. As a results-driven individual, you can go above and beyond to meet crucial deadlines.

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 May 2026, or according to a mutual agreement. The position is a full-time position.

You can read more about career paths at DTU here.

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 10 April 2026 (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:

• A letter motivating the application (cover letter)
• Curriculum vitae
• Links to webpages, GitHub repositories, YouTube channels reporting your work in the field of autonomous robotic systems 
• Grade transcripts and BSc/MSc diploma (in English) including official description of grading scale
• List of publications (if any)

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, race, disability, religion or ethnic background are encouraged to apply.

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.

DTU – For the benefit of society since 1829
DTU is one of Europe's leading elite technical universities. Through research and education at an international top level, we create solutions to the major societal challenges of our time and help secure Europe's global leadership in sustainable technological development. Since Hans Christian Ørsted founded DTU almost 200 years ago, our mission has remained the same: We develop and create value through the natural and technical sciences for the benefit of society. DTU has 13,800 students, 1,600 PhD students, and 6,500 employees. We work in an international environment and have an inclusive, stimulating, and informal work culture. DTU has campuses in all parts of Denmark and in Greenland and collaborates with the best universities around the world.