SDU Mechatronics and the Centre of Industrial Mechanics, part of Institute of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering and the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Southern Denmark in Sønderborg, invites applications for one or more PhD scholarships on mechatronic design and control of drones. The starting date is September 2025 or as soon as possible.

WORKPLACE DESCRIPTION

Institute of Mechanical and Electrical engineering covers research and education spanning from fundamentals to applications of engineering science. All our courses are taught in English reflecting the fact that more than half our students and staff are internationals. Centre for Industrial Mechanics is located at SDU’s beautiful campus in Sønderborg, in the inspiring building of Alsion, which is a center for science, culture and learning in the heart of Sønderborg and perched on the strait of water separating the island of Als from the mainland. The university has very close relations to the industry in Sønderborg, Southern Denmark and Northern Germany. A significant fraction of the projects in the center are conducted in close cooperation with the industry, which count world leading companies in growing fields such as e-mobility, automation, climate solutions and energy efficiency.
At SDU Mechatronics, research, education, and innovation are performed in teams of scientists and support staff with competences spanning a wide range of fields including applied cyber-physical systems, advanced mechanical systems, modelling and mechatronic prototyping.

YOUR PROFILE

To complement our team, we are looking for one or more PhD researchers in the Drone Mechatronics research group with expertise in mechatronic design of drones. Experience in three or more of the following fields is required:

• Advanced mechanical design and rapid prototyping,
• Mechatronic design and implementation of drones (ground, aerial or underwater),
• Advanced control engineering,
• Guidance, Navigation and Control of autonomous vehicles,
• PCB design and fabrication.

The ideal candidates have extensive experience with:

• Programming of IO boards (STM32, Pixhawk, BeagleBone, etc.) in different programming languages (C++, Python, etc.),
• MATLAB/Simulink programming
• Creating their own mechanical designs, implement and test them accordingly,
• Implementation of control algorithms on physical experiments.

In addition, the candidates are expected to contribute with mechatronic-related teaching activities as well as to participate in externally funded research projects within the field of drone mechatronics.

The candidates must have:

• MSc in a relevant discipline (Mechatronic, Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or any other relevant Engineering discipline),
• Strong record in practical experience in the development and implementation of mechatronic devices,
• Very good communication skills in English.

It is a condition of employment that you can obtain security clearance, and that the security clearance can be maintained during your employment. https://pet.dk/en/security-advisory-services/how-to-obtain-a-security-clearance

Please refer the Job description for details