PhD Position in Automated Mapping and Identification of Large Structure Environments

SDU Center for Large Structure Production (LSP) part of theMaersk Mc-Kinney Moller Institute (MMMI) at theUniversity of Southern Denmark (SDU) invites applications for a fully funded PhD position on the topic ofautomated mapping and identification of large structure environments. The position will be vacant from 1 January 2026 or as soon as possible thereafter for a 3-year period. Main work location is Odense Denmark at SDU campus and Odense Havn (Odense Port).

Work environment

The candidate will be part of SDU Center for Large Structure Production (LSP). LSPs central ambition is to provide a physical go-to lab for companies in the sectors construction maritime and energy to carry out research development and testing of novel solutions in the production of large structures such as buildings ships and offshore this context the candidate is expected to work closely with our academic and industrial partners on application-oriented methods and technologies with the support of the unique set of equipment of the center.

LSP is closely working together the companies atOdense Havnand similar partners making large structures across Denmark and Europe. LSP is integrated with theOdense Robotics Clusterinvolving startups and established companies in robotics. We are a team of currently about 20 researchers engineers and PhD students specialized in robot solutions involving modelling simulation and control of advanced robot technologies (systems and services) for application-oriented industrial applications.

Our group is involved in a variety of national and European projects and features a strong network of academic and industrial partners. We solve challenging research problems derived from real-life challenges by implementing novel robot solutions. We value teamwork professional diligence enthusiasm for robotics and the drive to adopt new skills and extended responsibilities. We offer an open international team with flexible work organization and support for individual development.

Job description

Building and infrastructures at their end of life are today dismantled without much care about potential extraction of recyclable materials due to the costs of more careful (and manual) deconstruction procedures as well as the lack of automated solutions to reduce such additional costs. To address this situation the PhD position will focus on the development of methods and technologies to increasingly support cost-efficient material extraction from the careful disassembly of buildings and infrastructures.

In particular the PhD candidate will address the aspect of mapping and identification of large structure environments. For operating automated equipment in large structure environment it is necessary to have access to a map of its topology which may be based on BIM data (if existent) and floor plans or must be generated from collecting and interpreting 3D point clouds. Specifically for the purpose of deconstruction and material extraction such a map needs to additionally contain the identification of valuable materials for extraction as well as extraction strategies depending on their location and consequences from their extraction (e.g. basic structural robustness).

The PhD position is part of the project Civil Engineering and the Green Transition in the Built Environment (CEBE) donated by the Villum Foundation and will thus be embedded in other research and development activities at SDU and other Danish universities and it will be interdisciplinary with interfaces and interactions to civil engineering and other engineering disciplines.

Profile and requirements

The candidate is expected to have most of the following qualifications:

• Masters degree in engineering preferably supported by first academic publications
• Documented experience with simulation and Digital Twins
• Strong mathematics skills and practical knowledge in 3D modelling
• Strong programming skills (particularly in C/C and Python)
• Documented knowledge in industrial robotics and kinematics
• Ability to work independently as part of an agile team with a strong sense of responsibility
• Willingness to engage in application-oriented R&D by closely interacting with partners

Contact information

For further information please contact Professor Christian Schlette via email () or on LinkedIn ( information

If you experience technical problems please contact

Before applying the candidates are advised to read theFaculty information for prospective PhD studentsand theSDU information on how to apply.

Assessment of the candidates is based on the application material and an application must include:

• Motivated application.
• Curriculum Vitae.
• Masters and bachelors degree certificates or equivalent including transcripts of grades (copy of original/official English translation).
• Completed TEK PhD application form for 53 applicants. Find the form at theFaculty website.
• Completed TEK PhD form for calculation grade point average. Find the form at theFaculty website.
• An official document describing the grading scheme of the awarding universities (if not Danish).
• Only for applicants from programmes that evaluate thesis/examination project by approved/not approved: An official written assessment of the thesis or dissertation project from the grade giving institution. The statement must clearly state that the candidate has been among the top 30 the graduation class for the study programme.
• List of publications and maximum 2 examples of relevant publications (in case you have any publications).
• References may be included youre welcome to use the form for reference letter at theFaculty website.
• A statement/documentation of other qualifications relevant to the position may also be included.

UPLOAD GUIDE:Motivated application shall be uploaded as Cover letter (max. 5 MB) Curriculum Vitae shall be uploaded as Resume (max 5 MB). All other documents shall be uploaded as Miscellaneous documents (max 10 files of max 50 MB per file).

All documents must be in English and PDF format. CPR number (civil registration no.) must be crossed out. All PDF-files must be unlocked and allow binding and may not be password protected.

The application deadline is December 1 2025 at 11:59 PM / 23:59 (CET/CEST)

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 and tests may be part of the overall evaluation.

Read about theAssessment and selection process.

Conditions of enrollment/employment

Appointment as a PhD fellow is a 3-year salaried position and the monthly gross salary incl. pension is 36.581 DKK. If you have relevant postgraduate experience you may be placed on a higher salary step.

Applicants must hold a masters degree (equivalent to a Danish masters degree) at the time of enrollment and is contingent on enrollment approved by the PhD will be in accordance withFaculty regulations and the Danish Ministerial Order on the PhD Programme at the Universities (PhD order).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 with the associated circular on the job structure for academic staff at Danish universities and the provisions for PhD fellows as described herein as well as the Protocol on PhD fellows signed by the Danish Ministry of Finance and the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations (AC).Further information about salary and conditions of person employed in the position may based on a specific individual managerial evaluation be exempted from time registration also known as a self-organizer.

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The University of Southern Denmark wishes our staff 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.

Further informationfor international applicants about entering and working in Denmark. You may also visitWorkinDenmarkfor additional information.

Further informationabout The Faculty of Engineering.