Research Assistant Positions within Policy Learning for Robotics

To support our advancements in robot policy learning and vision-language-action models robotics applications in industrial manufacturing, SDU Robotics and the SDU Industry I4.0Lab invite applications for one or more fully funded Research Assistant positions. 

The positions are for a six-month period with the possibility of extension. 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.

What we offer

• An exciting opportunity to work at the cutting edge of robotics for real-world applications.
• A collaborative and supportive work environment that encourages innovation and creativity.
• Opportunities for professional growth and leadership.
• Access to state-of-the-art technology and resources.

Project description 
Generative AI has achieved significant success in language and image comprehension and generation tasks. Currently, there is a significant push for a similar breakthrough in robotics, with imitation learning, reinforcement learning, and vision-language-action (VLA) models receiving significant attention from both the media and the research community. Although these approaches present several advantages, like the ability to interact with them using natural language or the ability to generalize and recover from unseen scenarios, their success rate is nowhere near what is required for industrial applications. At the same time, it is not entirely clear from the industry perspective what the advantages of these approaches are. The main aim of this project is to implement an industrially relevant demonstrator that showcases robust and generalizable AI robot control policies in a manufacturing application.

The candidate would be responsible for:

• Implementation of an industrially relevant demonstrator showcasing the use of AI robotics technologies (imitation and reinforcement learning, VLAs) in a manufacturing application
• Developing and implementing AI algorithms to control robot systems
• Applying the above to industrial assembly cases
• Designing and conducting lab experiments 
• Assisting in the writing of scientific publications

Profile and requirements 
The candidates will participate in research activities within robot learning and are expected to hold a master’s degree (equivalent to a Danish master’s degree) within robotics, computer science, or closely related field by the time of employment. Applicants in the final semester of their master’s programme are also encouraged to apply. 

The candidates are expected to have a profound knowledge on the majority of the following topics:

• Robot learning (such as Imitation learning, reinforcement learning, or vision-language-action models)
• Machine learning (deep neural networks)
• Robotics
• Programming skills (Python, C++) and ML libraries (PyTorch, Tensorflow)

Preferably, the candidates have experience with: 

• Control systems
• Computer vision
• Experiment design and data analysis

Furthermore, the successful candidates are expected to:

• Be able to work well and communicate expert knowledge in an interdisciplinary team as well as have the ability of working independently.
• Have high self-motivation to learn. 
• Have a strong sense of responsibility.
• Have excellent communication skills in English speaking and writing. 

Research environment 
You will be affiliated with SDU Robotics while carrying out research and work tasks for the SDU Industry I4.0Lab. 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
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 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

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

The application deadline is May 31, 2026, at 11:59 PM/23:59 (CET/CEST)

Assessment of candidates is based on the application material, and the 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. Applicants in the final semester of their master’s programme are requested to submit transcripts from all completed semesters. 

The application may also include:

• Complete list of publications and maximum 2 examples of relevant publications, in case you have any publications.
• References (names and emails) and/or reference letters. 
• Documentation of other qualifications with relevance for the position. 
• 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.

Conditions of employment 
Appointment as a research assistant is temporary for an initial 6-month period, and the preferred start date will be agreed with the successful candidate. Extension may be possible depending on available funding. The workplace is at SDU's main campus in Odense, Denmark, and the work is expected to be primarily onsite.

Employment as a 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 including the associated circular on the protocol for the job structure for academic staff at Danish universities and the provisions for research assistant as described therein. Further information on salary and taxation. 

People employed in the position may, based on a specific individual managerial assessment, be exempted from time registration, also known as a self-organiser.