Professor in AI for Planning and Scheduling of cyber-physical systems (2024-224-05731)

The Department of Materials and Production(MP) is a wide-ranging research and educational environment at Aalborg University. The Department's mission is to meet the future's demands for new materials and production systems by directing the whole value chain from basic material understanding, materials' applications in mechanical constructions, industrial production, and management. The department has several strong, international, and innovative research groups which comprise everything from basic science to strategic and applied research. The activities encompass research as well as education within materials, mechanics, physics, production, and industrial management and innovation.

Benefitting the industry and additional collaborators several innovative and unconventional collaborations have been and are developed through interdisciplinary co-operations. Thereby, as an employee at the department, you will become a part of an international research environment, where the focus is on innovation, knowledge sharing/building, and interdisciplinary collaborations.

As part of the department’s and university’s focus on strengthening our position within the manufacturing, transportation and security domains, we are looking for a professor to address the cyber-physical systems that are increasingly a critical part of these domains. To fully achieve the benefits such cyber-physical systems offer, requires to fully automate planning and execution of their activities. We are looking for a candidate that can combine domain knowledge with deep expertise in AI for planning and control of large scale autonomous cyber-physical systems executing complex operations either alone or in collaboration. There will be a specific emphasis on UAVs/UASs, but also UGVs/AGVs/USVs for such specific areas as Surveillance and Search& Rescue. For this reason, the activities of the cyber-physical systems should be related to inspection/sensing, imaging, transportation and/or related topics. The research focus should be on the following topics:

• AI method development for automated planning and scheduling of the full planning& execution chain e.g. solution method development(heuristics, meta-heuristics etc.),
• Novel formulation of problems within planning and scheduling(e.g. incorporation of environmental factors, new applications of cyber-physical systems, combining modalities etc.),
• Solution architecture(e.g. functional design of large solution architectures etc.),
• Prototyping, development and testing(e.g. participation in large development and implementation activities).

The position is part of the department’s focus on developing leading research environments driven by re-search excellence and strong collaborations. Therefore, the successful applicant is expected to contribute to the department and faculty’s strategic development. Furthermore, the applicant will be expected to have the qualifications required for undertaking teaching responsibilities at the university. Experience from teaching using the Problem-based-Learning approach will be an advantage.

Specifically, we are looking for candidates with a:

• Strong track record for attracting research funding and managing projects within the application domains listed above,
• Strong publication track record and a clear scientific impact,
• Strong profile in terms of participating in international networks, creating strong international co-operations and/or positions of trust,
• Strong track record of creating a successful research environment and research leadership,
• Solid educational and didactic qualifications including supervision of Master and PhD students.

The successful candidate must be an outstanding scientist who has already had significant international impact on research and who has demonstrated the vision and creativity to define an independent research program with a high impact. The successful candidate has the scientific maturity to establish an independent research group and is expected to have strong international collaborative ties. Experience with leading and coordinating internationally recognized research activities is a further advantage.

The candidate must have a demonstrated record of extensive and dedicated teaching, including positive student and/or mentor evaluations, reflections upon own teaching practice, and a well-founded experience with independent curriculum development. At Aalborg University, our philosophy of teaching is the world-renowned Aalborg model of problem-based learning(PBL). Documented experience with this learning approach is therefore considered an advantage but is not a prerequisite.

The candidate must have leadership and management skills of young people and a solid experience with supervision at all academic levels(from Bachelor students to postdocs).

The successful candidate is expected to:

• Build up and maintain an excellent research environment AI for Planning and Scheduling of cyber-physical systems,
• Teach undergraduate and graduate students, primarily in Management and business engineering,
• Handle management of researchers with different research and cultural backgrounds,
• Motivate and develop the full potential of young researchers,
• Promote multi-disciplinary collaboration across research groups, departments and faculties within the university and also with other universities and organizations,
• A close engagement with industry is expected,
• Contribute in a positive and constructive manner to the overall activities of the Department of Materials and Production,
• Raise third-party funding.

The following criteria are considered a framework for an overall assessment of the candidates: research, teaching, scientific impact, outreach, organizational contribution, leadership, external funding, independence, creativity and collaborative skills.

You may obtain further professional information from Head of Department Jens Christian Rauhe by mail [email protected].

Qualification requirements:
The suitable applicant can demonstrate a documented high level of original scientific production at an international level, including proven further development of the research area in question. An assessment of the candidate’s undertaking of research management and/or other possible management functions will also be taken into account. In addition the applicant is expected to have the qualifications required for undertaking teaching responsibilities. Special contributions to and development of educational and teaching related areas will be considered in the overall assessment. 

The application must contain the following:

• A motivated text wherein the reasons for applying, qualifications in relation to the position, and intentions and visions for the position are stated.
• A current curriculum vitae.
• Copies of relevant diplomas(Master of Science and PhD). On request you could be asked for an official English translation.
• Scientific qualifications. A complete list of publications must be attached with an indication of the works the applicant wishes to be considered. You may attach up to 10 publications.
• Teaching qualifications described in the teaching portfolio.  If this is not enclosed the applicant must include an explanation for its absence.
• Dissemination qualifications, including participation on committees or boards, participation in organisations and the like.
• Additional qualifications in relation to the position.
• References/recommendations.
• Personal data.

The applications are only to be submitted online by using the"Apply online" button below.

Shortlisting will be applied. After the review of any objections regarding the assessment committee, the head of department, with assistance from the chair of the assessment committee, selects the candidates to be assessed. All applicants will be informed as to whether they will advance to assessment or not.

AAU wishes to reflect the diversity of society and welcomes applications from all qualified candidates regardless of personal background or belief.

For further information concerning the application procedure please contact Mathilde Vestergaard HR-Servicecenter EST by mail [email protected].

Information regarding guidelines, ministerial circular in force, teaching portfolio and procedures can be seenhere.   

Appointment and salary acc. to the agreement between the Ministry of Finance and the Danish Confederation of professional Associations(AC) on Academics in the State. Employment as Professor is in accordance with a classified position on scale 37. In addition, a pensionable increment will be given.