Assistant Professor Position in Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering

SDU Mechanical Engineering (SDU ME) invites applications for an Assistant Professor in Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering. SDU ME is part of the Institute of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering (IME) at the Faculty of Engineering, University of Southern Denmark, located at the main campus in Odense. The position is available from January 1, 2027, with the specific start date to be agreed upon with the successful candidate.

The position and research environment

You will join the maritime group at Mechanical Engineering, where the main research topics are seakeeping, data-driven maintenance, and energy systems and efficiency. The group works within applied research, carried out in close collaboration with industry and other research groups. The group is part of the larger Maritime Center at SDU, offering strong opportunities for transdisciplinary and cross-faculty collaboration. In addition, the center is actively developing strong relationships with external partners. The candidate is expected to play an active role in this community, contributing both to research and administrative activities within the center. This includes outreach to other universities, industry, maritime educational institutes, authorities, and professional organizations to establish and strengthen collaborative relationships.

Furthermore, SDU conducts defense-related research. The successful candidate is therefore expected to have an interest in dual-use research within the relevant research fields, and to actively engage in outreach to other universities as well as the Danish Defence.

To complement our team, we are looking for candidates within naval architecture and marine engineering / mechanical engineering, with documented research experience in one of the following fields:

• Data-driven operation of ships – Energy efficiency and predictive maintenance, digital twins, and the use of machine learning and sensor data to optimize vessel operation and efficiency.
• Seakeeping and comfort onboard vessels - ship motion analysis, ship stability, vibration and noise reduction, or human comfort and habitability at sea.

You will bring competence and dedication to teaching and student supervision in mechanical engineering at SDU ME, actively contributing to our two educational programs: Bachelor of Engineering (diplomingeniør) and Bachelor's and Master of Science (civilingeniør). Our engineering programs combine theory courses with project work, and you will be involved in both.

Workplace

SDU ME is part of the Institute of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering (IME) at the Faculty of Engineering, University of Southern Denmark, located at the main campus in Odense. The research activities at SDU ME span widely from fluid mechanics, multi-physics simulation and optimization to condition monitoring and structural dynamics, composite materials, mechanical design, and naval architecture and marine engineering. IME is a multidisciplinary department covering also high-frequency electronics, microelectronics, batteries and super-capacitors, additive manufacturing, smart structures and energy technologies. The department is an exciting environment, where you will be exposed to many different fields and have your general academic curiosity stimulated.

The position is full-time and located at the SDU main campus in Odense. Given the research, teaching, and collaborative nature of the position, you are expected to be present on campus on a regular basis and to relocate to Denmark, if currently residing abroad.

SDU Odense is the university’s largest campus and provides a strong framework for interdisciplinary research, teaching, and innovation. You will be part of a modern workplace with high professionalism, strong academic communities, and a commitment to diversity and equal opportunities. SDU also offers dedicated support for International Staff . Learn more about careers and work life at SDU here: Careers at SDU .

What we expect

You must have:

• Completed a PhD degree in a relevant discipline
• The ability to teach basic mechanical engineering curricula
• Communication skills in English at an adequate level for research communication and teaching

It is preferred that you also have experience from/with:

• Postdoctoral research positions
• Co-supervision of PhD students
• Teaching and course development
• Funding applications
• Collaboration with industrial partners

You are expected to apply for own grants and to contribute to joint applications with the group and its collaborators. Strong potential to compete for national and international research funding is essential.

During the period of employment as Assistant Professor, you are expected to develop an independent research profile; publish high-quality research outputs; contribute to attracting external research funding; develop documented teaching and supervision competences, including completion of the Lecturer Training Programme ; and contribute actively to collaboration, knowledge exchange, and the academic environment at SDU Mechanical Engineering.

Further information

For more information about the position, contact Head of Section Associate Professor Dorte Smedegaard Schmidt (phone +45 65507432, e-mail dss@sdu.dk ) or Professor Marie Lützen (phone +45 65509625, e-mail mlut@sdu.dk).

For more information about SDU ME, please see https://www.sdu.dk/da/mechanical .

For more information about IME, please see https://www.sdu.dk/en/ime .

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.

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

Application

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

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

• Motivated application (up to 2 pages).
• Complete Curriculum Vitae (up to 4 pages).
• Master’s and PhD degree certificates or equivalent (original and an official English translation).
• Complete list of publications.
• Up to 10 publications most relevant to the position.
• Teaching Portfolio documenting teaching, learning, and supervision qualifications and approach. Any format is acceptable; see the Faculty's teaching portfolio page for inspiration.
• A proposed research plan (up to 4 pages).
• References/reference letters may be included.
• 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 number) must be crossed out. All PDF-files must be unlocked, allow binding and may not be password protected.

SUBMISSION GUIDE: Motivated application must be uploaded under ‘Cover letter’ (max. 5 MB), Curriculum Vitae must be uploaded under ‘Resume’ (max 5 MB). All other documents must be uploaded under ‘Miscellaneous documents’ (max 10 files with a maximum 50 MB per file).

The application deadline is November 1, 2026, 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 SDU. Interviews and tests may be part of the overall evaluation. Read about the Assessment and selection process .

Employment terms

Appointment as an assistant professor is temporary and for an initial 3-year period.

Employment as an assistant professor requires academic qualifications at a minimum of PhD level at the time of employment. 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 assistant 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”.

The University of Southern Denmark wishes its 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, is subject to a number of security measures. Therefore, based on information from open sources, background checks may be conducted on candidates for the position(s).