Fully Financed PhD Position in LLM-assisted Multirobot Mission Planning and Control

The SDU UAS Center, part of Maersk Mc-Kinney Moller Institute, invites applications for a PhD position within the project “Natural-language Assisted Human-Multirobot Interaction and Planning” (NAMUR). The focus of the PhD studies will be on large-language models (LLMs), multirobot planning, and multi-drone control for search-and-rescue missions.

The application deadline is 1 September 2024 at 11.59 PM / 23.59 (CET/CEST) 

The NAMUR project is a collaboration between the University of Southern Denmark (SDU) and Aalborg University, with partners at Virginia Tech, USA, Tohoku University, Japan, and the drone AI company Robotto, Denmark.

The position is a 3-year employment and is available from November 2024. The primary place of is SDU, Odense Campus, where we have state-of-the-art drone labs and test facilities at the SDU UAS Test Center. As part of the project, the successful candidate will spend three months at Virginia Tech.

What we offer

The successful candidate will become part of the SDU UAS Center, where we conduct cutting-edge research in civilian drone technologies and future drone applications across critical sectors, including search and rescue, agriculture, inspection, energy, and healthcare. At the core of our mission is the development of innovative drone solutions that tackle significant societal challenges. We are dedicated to fostering a dynamic and inspiring work environment where creativity thrives. We frequently collaborate closely with world-leading companies, some of which are integral to the vibrant robotics startup community in Odense.

The research center has a faculty with diverse backgrounds and a strong international character. English is the primary language of communication.

Work area

The successful candidate will primarily conduct research and development within multirobot planning and control algorithms and their integration with LLMs. This includes:

• Develop and study novel multirobot planning algorithms to enable closed-loop LLM-based reasoning in the context of search-and-rescue operations.
• Develop methods to facilitate robustness and effective error-handling in dynamic operational environments.
• Conduct experiments both in simulation and with physical drones.
• Collaborate with the project team, including a post-doctoral researcher on the integration of closed-loop LLM-based reasoning with user interfaces for search-and-rescue missions. 

The position may also involve supervision-related activities, and the candidate is expected to participate in the center’s project portfolio and outreach activities.

What we expect

We expect you to have an M.Sc. in engineering, robotics, computer science, or a related field. You should have a strong academic profile, demonstrated by top grades, especially in the later parts of your study. Publications and awards are a plus. You should also have experience in all or most of the following areas:

• Research and development experience within robotics and multirobot systems.
• Hands-on experience with LLM-based applications, e.g., fine-tuning, RAG, and LangChain­.
• Software design and development (Python, C, C++, or similar).
• Data analysis and scientific writing

We furthermore expect you to publish findings at recognized international conferences and in top-ranked, peer-reviewed journals.

For certain tasks at the Drone Labs at HCA airport, a security check by the relevant authorities and a driver’s license are required.

Please note that the position in fully financed and comes with an attractive salary for the successful candidate.

If you intend to apply or if you require further information, please contact Professor Anders Lyhne Christensen via andcmmmi.sdu.dk. 

If you experience technical problems, please contact hcm-supportsdu.dk.

We look forward to receiving your application!

Conditions of employment

Appointment as a PhD fellow is a 3-year salaried position.

The preferred stating date is November 2024.

Applicants must hold a master’s degree (equivalent to a Danish master's degree) at the time of enrollment and employment. 

Employment of a PhD fellow can only happen after the PhD School has approved the candidate for admission. Employment and enrollment will cease without further notice at the end of the period. A PhD fellow is not allowed to have any kind of sideline employment, while enrolled as PhD fellow at the faculty.

Employment as a PhD fellow governed by the Protocol on PhD Research Fellows signed by the Danish Ministry of Finance and the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations. Further information about salary and conditions of employment. 

The successful candidate will be enrolled at SDU in accordance with Faculty regulations and the Danish Ministerial Order on the PhD Programme at the Universities (PhD order). 

Assessment and selection process

Read about the Assessment and selection process. 

Applications will be assessed by an assessment committee or an expert. Shortlisting may be applied. Only shortlisted candidates will receive a written assessment. Read about shortlisting at SDU. 

Interviews and tests may be part of the process.

Application procedure

Before applying the candidates are expected to read the Faculty information for prospective PhD students, the SDU information on how to apply and specific faculty information for application at the Faculty of Engineering. 

The application shall include the following documents in English:

• Motivated application. 
• Curriculum Vitae.
• Certificates/Diplomas (bachelor’s and master’s degree) – incl. transcripts of grades in Danish and/or English. 
• Completed TEK PhD application form for 5+3 applicants. Find the form at the Faculty website.
• Completed TEK PhD form for calculation grade point average. Find the form at the Faculty 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: Please submit an official and verified 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 pct. in the graduation class for the study programme.
• List of publications and maximum 2 examples of relevant publications (in case you have any publications).

The application may also include:

• References, you're welcome to use the form for reference letter at the Faculty website.

UPLOAD GUIDE: Motivated application shall be uploaded as ‘Cover letter’, Curriculum Vitae shall be uploaded as ‘Resume’. All other documents shall be uploaded as ‘Miscellaneous documents’. 

The application deadline is 1 September 2024 at 11.59 PM / 23.59 (CET/CEST) 

Formalities

• Documents should not contain a CPR number (civil registration number) – in this case, the CPR number must be crossed out.
• The application and CV must not exceed 10 MB. 

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

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.