Associate professor in Artificial Intelligence for Medical Applications at SDU Robotics

To support our advancements in deep learning and AI methods for medical image and clinical data analysis SDU Robotics invites applications for one or more associate professor position(s). The starting date is in March 2027 or as soon as possible thereafter and will be agreed with the successful candidates. The workplace is at SDU's main campus in Odense, Denmark, and the work is expected to be primarily onsite.

What we offer

An exciting opportunity to work at the cutting edge of robotics for real-world applications.

A collaborative and supportive work environment that encourages innovation and creativity.

Opportunities for professional growth and leadership.

Access to state-of-the-art technology and resources.

Job description

The successful candidates will contribute to the unit’s current and future research projects and teaching activities. Key responsibilities include, for example to:

Be able to collaborate with our experts and colleagues from SDU Robotics in the further development of our core technologies.

Be deeply involved in our regular coordination and joint evolvement of research and project activities.

Raise funding and manage research projects.

Design and conduct lab experiments.

Participate in the practicalities of actual industrial applications.

Organize, plan and conduct excellent teaching for undergraduate and graduate courses.

Independently supervise project courses, and BSc, MSc and PhD thesis projects.

The position as an associate professor involves primary responsibilities related to research (including the obligation to publish and disseminate scientific knowledge) and research-based teaching (including examination duties) – research and teaching obligations equally. Additionally, the role may encompass knowledge exchange with society, including participation in public debates. Furthermore, it may entail responsibilities such as research management, curriculum development, guidance, supervision, and scholarly assessment. The university determines the specific allocation of tasks, and the emphasis on these tasks may vary over time.

Profile and requirements

The candidates will participate in SDU Robotics' comprehensive research, and the position requires research experience within artificial intelligence and deep learning for medical applications. This includes documented knowledge within some of the following technologies/areas:

Deep learning-based classification, segmentation and detection in 2D and 3D medical images.

Machine learning methods for analysis of clinical data.

Explainable and interpretable AI methods for medical decision support.

The candidates must have a relevant PhD degree (e.g. in computer science, engineering or a related field) and are expected to have most of the following qualifications:

Research demonstrated by publications in relevant scientific journals and conferences.

Experience in acquiring and coordinating publicly and/or privately funded projects.

Strong track record of directly engaging with clinical or industrial partners in application-oriented projects and/or a relevant international network for research and collaboration activities.

Experience with teaching and independently supervising project courses, and BSc and MSc thesis projects.

Experience in teaching AI courses for medical image analysis.

Preferably, the candidates have experience with:

Medical image analysis

Analysis of clinical and healthcare data

Explainable AI

Experimental design and validation of AI-based systems

Furthermore, the successful candidate is expected to:

Be able to work well and communicate expert knowledge in an interdisciplinary team.

Have the ability of working independently.

Have high self-motivation to learn.

Have a strong sense of responsibility.

Have excellent communication skills in English speaking and writing.

In the assessment of candidates, consideration will be given to:

Research demonstrated by publications in relevant scientific journals and conferences.

Experience in interdisciplinary research collaboration.

Teaching experience.

A relevant international network for research and collaboration activities, research experience abroad.

Experience in attracting funding for research projects and demonstrated experience in research leadership.

Research environment

The candidate will be integrated into the unit SDU Robotics, which is involved in a variety of national and European projects and features a strong network of academic and industrial partners. We are a team of currently appr. 60 researchers and engineers specialized in research and development of robot solutions and advanced robot systems within the medical, welfare and industrial domain.

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.

SDU Robotics is part of the Maersk Mc-Kinney Moller Institute, University of Southern Denmark (SDU), and located at the main Campus in Odense, at the core of the Odense Robotics Cluster involving 120+ startups and established companies in robotics.

The aim of the group is to solve challenging research problems derived from real-life challenges by implementing novel robot solutions. We participate in implementing the results achieved in real solutions with end users like national hospitals, LEGO, Novo Nordisk and Universal Robots.

We look forward to receiving your application and to supporting your growth as a researcher in SDU Robotics.

Further information

Further information about this position is available via email from professor Thiusius R. Savarimuthu trs@mmmi.sdu.dk.

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

If you experience technical problems, please contact our email support.

Get a glimpse of (work)life through the eyes of some of our many excellent researchers at SDU in Odense.

Further information for international applicants about entering and working in Denmark. You may also visit WorkinDenmark for additional information.

Further information about The Faculty of Engineering.

Application

Applicants are advised to read the SDU information on how to apply.

The application deadline is January 11, 2027, at 11:59 PM/23:59 (CET/CEST)

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

A motivation letter that clearly explains the applicant's interest, qualifications and motivation for the position (max. 2 pages).

Detailed Curriculum Vitae including personal contact information.

Research statement with ideas for research and development activities (max. 4 pages).

Master’s and PhD degree certificates/diplomas (copy of original and in official English translation).

Teaching Portfolio documenting teaching, learning, and supervision qualifications and approach. Any format is acceptable; see the Faculty's teaching portfolio page for inspiration.

Complete list of publications.

Publications most relevant for the position.

Reference and a statement/documentation of other qualifications relevant to the position may also be included.

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.

SUBMISSION GUIDE:

Motivated application shall be uploaded under ‘Cover letter’ (max. 5 MB), Curriculum Vitae shall be uploaded under ‘Resume’ (max 5 MB). All other documents shall be uploaded under ‘Miscellaneous documents’ (max 10 files of max 50 MB per file).

If you experience technical problems, please contact our email support.

The University of Southern Denmark wishes to reflect the surrounding community and therefore encourages everyone, regardless of personal background, to apply for the position.

Assessment and selection process

Shortlisting may be applied, and only shortlisted candidates will receive a written assessment. Read about shortlisting at SDU. Applications will be assessed by an assessment committee. Interviews and tests may be part of the overall evaluation. Read about the Assessment and selection process.

Employment terms

Employment as an associate professor requires academic qualifications at PhD level as well as scientific and teaching qualifications commensurate with the position as an associate professor. Employment as associate professor is a permanent position.

The starting date is in March 2027 or as soon as possible thereafter and will be agreed with the successful candidates. The workplace is at SDU's main campus in Odense, Denmark, and the work is expected to be primarily onsite.

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 including the associated circular on the protocol for the job structure for academic staff at Danish universities and the provisions for associate professor as described therein.

Salary is determined in accordance with the applicable collective agreement and based on objective and gender-neutral criteria, including the content of the position, responsibilities, and qualification requirements. As an applicant, you are entitled to information about the starting salary and salary range for the position. This information will be provided during the recruitment process. SDU does not collect information on applicants’ previous salary. Further information on salary and taxation.

Persons employed in the position may, based on a specific individual managerial assessment, be exempted from time registration, also known as a “self-organizer”.

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.