Postdocs (3) in Digitalisation and Automation in Construction - DTU Construct

The Department of Civil and Mechanical Engineering at the Technical University of Denmark (DTU) invites three excellent candidates to join our team for three full-time Postdoc positions. 

CEBE - Civil Engineering and the Green Transition in the Built Environment
If you are establishing your research profile within digitalisation in construction and are motivated to contribute to a more sustainable built environment, this Postdoc position may be of interest.

The position is part of the Villum-funded research initiative CEBE – Civil Engineering and the Green Transition in the Built Environment. CEBE is a strategic initiative funded by the Villum Foundation that seeks to strengthen research and development of sustainable solutions for the construction sector. The programme will run for 10 years and is a collaboration between University of Southern Denmark (SDU), Aarhus University, Aalborg University and Technical University of Denmark (DTU). The main aim of the project is to address the challenges of the construction sector and society in relation to the green transition.

AM2PM - Additive to Predictive Construction using Learning by Printing and Networked Robots
This Postdoc will have an exciting opportunity to work in AM2PM, an EU-funded project, on the future paradigm for the construction of multistorey buildings in which a comprehensive system-of-systems approach. AM2PM intertwines (a) networked multi-agent human-robotic systems that work collaboratively in a well-coordinated and safe manner, (b) computational design and digital manufacturing of components, (c) design of sustainable materials, (d) Artificial Intelligence (AI) models to predict and control the construction process, (e) a digital twin / information backbone that enables cohesive operation of the design and production system as a whole, and (f)  experimental validation. The role of the AM2PM Postdoc position is theoretical and experimental research that links construction site data collection with life cycle and sustainability analysis (LCA).

SmartSite - Self-monitoring, Alert, and Response Technology for collaborative construction site
The SmartSite project intends to prove that innovative technology offers more sustainable and less disruptive construction processes. This Postdoc position assists in creating project results that are expected to contribute to the following measurable outcomes by using reasoning in digital construction site design and planning, smart sensing to monitor and control construction progress, and active personalize learning : (a) Reduction in overall time spent on site for value-adding construction production, (b) increase in resource efficiency, as well as improved accuracy of on-site activities, (c) reduction in pollution caused by on-site construction worksite tasks, and (d) increase in work-related safety and health performance in heavy equipment operations compared to current best practices the general construction sector performs.

Responsibilities and tasks
The overall objective of the three positions is to contribute to the research fields on digitalisation and automation, with a particular focus on the development of an open and interoperable ontology for construction site processes, smart sensing and intelligent data analysis of construction projects.

You will work closely with academic colleagues at DTU and collaborate with industrial partners and standardisation organisations in Denmark and internationally.

Key responsibilities include contributing to one or more of the following areas: developing extensions to existing international data ontologies to support construction planning and execution, including site progress monitoring and resource and energy data; optimising lean and safe construction site operations in current and emerging work environments; or developing small-scale demonstrators based on interoperable open standards to showcase platform functionality. In addition, the position includes mandatory contributions to research dissemination through scientific publications, conferences, and engagement with industry and standardisation bodies, as well as support for research-based teaching activities, including co-supervision of MSc students where relevant.

Qualifications
Strong experience and competencies expected include at least one of the following areas:

• Data modelling, ontology development, and semantic technologies.
• Open data standards and linked data, e.g. buildingSMART and related frameworks.
• IoT/sensing devices tracking construction site resources.
• Data integration and digital construction workflows, incl. digital twins, information backbones, digital building logbooks.
• Software or code development, incl. artificial intelligence and machine learning.
• Automation and robotics, incl. safe human-machine interaction.
• Serious gaming, incl. AR/VR.
• Life cycle analysis.

You are expected to demonstrate ability to work effectively as a team player in interdisciplinary and inter-institutional research environments, while also working independently.

The positions require a proactive approach, strong collaboration skills, and a high level of responsibility for own research activities. The projects involve close interaction with research groups at other Danish universities and international partners, and the postdoc is expected to contribute to attracting external funding within digitalisation in construction.

Finally, you must be able to communicate research results effectively and share knowledge across academia, industry, and society.

Aside from technical expertise, you are expected to have excellence in:

• Written and oral communication skills.
• Analytical and critical thinking skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Knowledge of relevant research methodologies and data analysis.

Please note, you should highlight or rank your preference(s) of the available three positions (Villum, AM2PM, SmartSite) in the header line of your cover letter.

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

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 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.

The period of employment is 2 years.

You can read more about career paths at DTU here.

Further information 
Further information may be obtained from Associate Professor Jan Karlshøj (jkar@dtu.dk), 45 4020 4608, and Professor Jochen Teizer (teizerj@dtu.dk), 45 9352 2229.

You can read more about Department of Civil and Mechanical Engineering at www.construct.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.

Application procedure 
Your complete online application must be submitted no later than 24 March 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:

• Application (cover letter)
• CV
• Academic Diplomas (MSc/PhD – in English)
• List of publications 

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.

DTU Civil and Mechanical Engineering develops and utilizes science and technical knowledge for the benefit of society and sustainable development. We undertake research, education, innovation, and scientific advice of the highest quality within building design and processes, building construction and safety, building energy and services, solid mechanics, fluid mechanics, materials technology, manufacturing engineering, engineering design and thermal energy systems.

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.