Postdoc within Manipulation and Assembly of Flexible and Fragile Objects for Laboratory Automation

SDU Robotics , part of the Maersk Mc-Kinney Moller Institute, University of Southern Denmark, located in Odense, invites applications for one or more postdoc positions. The positions are for a 3-year period, and the starting date for the position is as soon as possible in 2023 and will be agreed with the successful candidate.

The candidate will be integrated in the section SDU Robotics, which is at the core of the Odense Robotics Cluster involving Universal Robots, Mobile Industrial Robots (MIR) and 120+ other companies. We are specialized in robot solutions involving modelling, estimation, and control of advanced robot systems. In addition, the candidate will be integrated in CAPeX - a pioneer center for accelerating P2X materials discovery and work on automation of laboratory experiments.

CAPeX is a 13-year and 300 MDKK “Pioneer Center for Accelerating P2X Materials Discovery”, funded by Danish Ministry of Higher Education and Science, the Danish National Research Foundation, the Carlsberg Foundation, the Lundbeck Foundation, the Novo Nordisk Foundation, and the Villum Foundation. CAPeX is hosted by the Technical University of Denmark (DTU) and co-hosted by Aalborg University (AAU), and unites leading experts from DTU, AAU, University of Copenhagen, Aarhus University, and the University of Southern Denmark with international partners from Stanford University, Utrecht University, and the University of Toronto to form a truly Pioneering Center on P2X. You can read more about the CAPeX research themes and X-trails, our organization, and the other open PhD and postdoc cohort positions at http://www.capex-p2x.com .

The automation of laboratory experiments concerning materials for Power2X is challenging as it involves manipulation of flexible objects and assembly of fragile objects that are damaged if excessive forces are applied. Also, requirements for correct and traceable operation are pivotal in laboratory environments; thus, guarantees for correct behavior despite uncertainties must be provided. This project will take an outset in the operation of an EC-MS machine (Electrochemical Mass Spectrometry) which should be operated autonomously by a robot. The robot should prepare experiments and feed the EC-MS machine. To complete this work, we will 1) develop robot system that can manipulate flexible objects with high accuracy, 2) design force control strategies for tight assembly of fragile objects, 3) provide formal guarantees for the performance of the robotic system. The successful candidate will also work closely with other PhD and postdoc candidates in CAPeX and colleagues at the University of Toronto and the Acceleration Consortium.

The position requires research experience at PhD level within robotics, control, modelling, and estimation preferably applied to robotic manipulators. The candidate is hence expected to have most of the following documented qualifications:

• Expert knowledge in the control of robots
• Experience in numerical optimization
• Experience in simulation of robotic systems
• Experience in design and development of robotic systems

The main duties and responsibilities include:

• Research in collaboration with colleagues from SDU Robotics and CAPeX,
• Participation in ongoing and future research projects,
• Teaching within robotics,
• Fundraising for and management of research projects.

Furthermore, the successful candidate:

• Has excellent knowledge of English (written and spoken),
• Is able to work well in interdisciplinary team,
• Has the ability of working independently and has a strong sense of responsibility.

When applying, you must indicate if you have also applied for other positions in the 2023 cohort call. When relevant, you are encouraged to do so, and please indicate which positions you have applied for.

Conditions of employment
Employment as a postdoc requires scientific qualifications at PhD level. Employment as a postdoc is temporary and will cease without further notice at the end of the period.

The successful applicant will be employed in accordance with the agreement between the Ministry of Finance and the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations. Please check links for more information on salary and taxation .

The assessment process
Read about the Assessment and selection process . Shortlisting may be used. 

Application procedure

The faculty expects applicants to read How to apply before applying. 

The application must be in English and must include:

• Motivated application
• Detailed Curriculum Vitae 
• Certificates/Diplomas (MSc and PhD) 
• List of publications indicating the publications attached
• Examples of the most relevant publications. Please attach one pdf-file for each publication
• Reference letters and other relevant qualifications may also be included.

The application deadline is 26.07.2023

Information

Please visit us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sdu-robotics .

Further information is available from Head of Section, Henrik Gordon Petersen (hgp@mmmi.sdu.dk).

If you experience technical problems, you must contact support-sdujob@sdu.dk .