About the opportunity
The SDU Drone Center at the Maersk Mc-Kinney Moller Institute (MMMI), University of Southern Denmark in Odense invites applications for positions in defense-related technologies for drones (Unmanned Aerial Systems, UAS) at the levels of Full Professor, Associate Professor, or Assistant Professor. The positions are available from January 2027 or as soon as possible thereafter. Successful candidates will join the SDU Drone Center located at SDU Campus and HCA Airport, operating state-of-the-art indoor and outdoor drone laboratories within an interdisciplinary research environment closely tied to Odense’s robotics ecosystem. Candidates will conduct research in aerial robotics, contribute to teaching and supervision within the Master of Science education in Drones and Autonomous Systems, and help secure external funding and expand research portfolios.
Salary and benefits
- Permanent employment terms for Associate Professor and Full Professor roles.
- Temporary 3-year initial appointment for Assistant Professor roles, including completion of the Lecturer Training Programme.
- Access to state-of-the-art indoor and outdoor drone laboratories at SDU Campus and HCA Airport.
- Participation in an interdisciplinary and agile research environment with connections to the robotics ecosystem in Odense.
- Salary determined in accordance with the applicable collective agreement between the Ministry of Finance and the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations.
Who can apply?
- Academic qualifications at a minimum of PhD level at the time of employment for Assistant Professor positions.
- PhD level academic qualifications as well as scientific and teaching qualifications commensurate with Associate Professor or Full Professor levels.
- Documented expertise in systems engineering for unmanned aerial systems with demonstrated real-world applications.
- Experience with defense, industrial, public sector and/or emergency services collaboration (requirement for Full Professor).
- Proven track record of attracting research funding (requirement for Full Professor and Associate Professor).
- Experience with teaching and education development, including a completed lecturer training programme or equivalent (requirement for Full Professor and Associate Professor).
Required documents
- Motivated application
- Curriculum Vitae
- Master's and PhD degree certificates or equivalent (original and official English translation)
- Complete list of publications
- Publications most relevant to the position
- Teaching Portfolio documenting teaching, learning, and supervision qualifications and approach (mandatory for Full Professor and Associate Professor applicants)
- Summary and documentation of teaching experience (for Assistant Professor applicants)
- Research plan
- Statement or documentation of other relevant qualifications
When to apply
- Application deadline is November 15, 2026, at 11:59 PM (CET/CEST).
- Positions are available from January 2027 or as soon as possible thereafter.
How to apply
- Read the SDU information on how to apply.
- Prepare all required documents in English and PDF format, ensuring CPR numbers are crossed out and files are unlocked and not password protected.
- Upload the motivated application under 'Cover letter' (max 5 MB).
- Upload the Curriculum Vitae under 'Resume' (max 5 MB).
- Upload all other documents under 'Miscellaneous documents' (max 10 files with a maximum of 50 MB per file).
- Submit the application through the online Oracle Recruiting Cloud portal by the stated deadline.
Additional information
- Background checks based on open sources may be conducted due to the critical nature of the research technologies.
- Persons employed may be exempted from time registration based on a specific individual managerial assessment as a 'self-organizer'.
Our Take on This Opportunity
This section reflects Open Opportunities’ own analysis of the opportunity from an applicant’s perspective.
You may be a strong fit if…
- Strong background in unmanned aerial systems engineering, aerial robotics, or autonomous navigation in complex outdoor environments.
- Track record in securing external research funding and building academic or industrial stakeholder collaborations suitable for senior faculty levels.
- Commitment to teaching and supervising engineering students within robotics and drone technology master's programs.
What should you think carefully about?
- Assistant Professor appointments are temporary initial three-year contracts, whereas Associate and Full Professorships are permanent.
- Relocation to Odense, Denmark, is required as duties involve working at the SDU Campus and HCA Airport laboratories.
- Security background checks are part of the hiring procedure due to the critical nature of defense-related drone technologies.
How could this fit your current goals and plans?
These academic positions offer an opportunity to advance a research and teaching career within a renowned European robotics hub, contributing directly to civil and defense-related drone technologies at the University of Southern Denmark.
Our take
Researchers and academics specializing in autonomous systems and drone engineering with relevant defense or robotics experience should seriously consider applying, noting the specific seniority requirements for assistant, associate, and full professor tracks.
Ready to apply?
Review the opportunity on the official website before applying.
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