SDU CREATE invites candidates to apply for one or more Research Assistant/Research Fellow positions in Computational Design and Digital Fabrication. Positions are available at the earliest opportunity, with a preferred start date in April 2026. 

The application deadline is February 15, 2026, at 11:59 PM/23:59 (CET/CEST) 

Scope of the work

The appointed candidate will contribute to SDU CREATE’s research activities in robotic and digital construction technologies, with a primary focus on supporting ongoing research projects, experimental work, and laboratory operations. The role involves prototyping, fabrication experiments, development of experimental setups, material testing, design modelling and optimisation, and the preparation of workflows interfacing with robotic and construction processes, in accordance with the thematic research area and the candidate’s competence profile.

The position provides opportunities to work with advanced computational design and digital fabrication methods, to further develop research and technical skills, and to contribute as a co-author to construction demonstrators and peer-reviewed publications. The role includes assistance with teaching activities within the MSc CREATE programme and the BSc in Civil and Architectural Engineering, as well as participation in service and institutional activities. The position may support preparation for a future PhD application, although pursuing a doctoral programme is not a requirement.

We seek motivated, talented, and collaborative individuals with a clear commitment to academic excellence and to constructive participation in team-based research and the Centre’s research agenda. 

Thematic Research Areas

The selected applicant(s) are expected to contribute original research aligned with SDU CREATE’s agenda in robotic and digital construction technologies, within one or more of the following thematic areas, which shall be indicated in their motivation letter:

RA1) Robotic Fabrication and Assembly of Timber Structures: Robotic workflows for the fabrication and assembly of timber structures, including toolpath generation, structural connections and testing, integration of digital construction data, development of robotic tooling, and full-scale prototyping.

RA2) 3D Concrete Printing: Computational design and robotic fabrication of concrete structures, including performance-driven control of deposition paths, development of extrusion systems, reinforcement strategies, construction detailing, and construction scale experiments.

RA3) Machine Learning and Optimisation for Digital Construction: Data-driven and simulation-based approaches to fabrication prediction, structural and material optimisation, computer vision for process monitoring and quality assessment, and the integration of machine learning methods within design, monitoring, and robotic workflows.

About SDU CREATE: Research Environment and Vision

The Centre for Computational Research in Emergent Architectural Technology and Engineering (SDU CREATE), led by Associate Professor Roberto Naboni, investigates advanced concepts and implementations in architectural engineering with a focus on computational design, construction robotics, and material innovation. The Centre brings together an international research team exploring the intersections between architectural engineering and the fields of computer science, robotic systems, material science, and biology to develop sustainable and regenerative approaches to the built environment.

Located within the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Southern Denmark, SDU CREATE benefits from state-of-the-art laboratory facilities, including robotic fabrication systems, additive manufacturing technologies, mixed-reality design and construction platforms, and advanced structural and mechanical testing equipment. This environment supports collaboration with a wide range of scientific disciplines and strong partnerships with academic and industrial institutions.

SDU CREATE is a partner in a 10-year national research initiative funded by the Villum Foundation in which Danish technical universities collaborate to advance the sustainability of the built environment within planetary boundaries. In the initiative, CREATE leads the research field on Digitalisation and Automation (RF4) and contributes to the Research Field for Design for Regeneration, Circularity, and Longevity (RF2). This provides a long-term research scope, access to national research networks, and opportunities for cross-institutional and industry collaboration.

Responsibilities

• Conducting laboratory-based research activities, including prototyping, fabrication experiments, development of experimental setups, material testing, and experimental workflows

• Developing and refining computational design and optimisation workflows, interfacing with robotic fabrication systems, material processes, and data-driven analysis

• Assisting in teaching activities at bachelor’s and master’s level, including seminars, studios, and workshops

• Contributing to the dissemination of research outcomes through peer-reviewed publications, conferences, exhibitions, and the preparation of research dissemination material for digital platforms

• Supporting project management and organisational tasks, including laboratory coordination, documentation, and internal communication

• Engaging with national and international academic and industrial collaborators

• Assisting senior staff in the preparation of applications for external research funding

• Supporting the maintenance, operation, and further development of laboratory infrastructures

• The candidate’s engagement in these activities will evolve with their growing experience, contributing to the Centre’s excellence and supporting their academic development, ideally toward future career advancement.

Candidate Requirements

Applications are invited from highly motivated candidates holding a Master’s degree in architecture, civil or architectural engineering, or other relevant disciplines aligned with the research projects described in this call. Candidates must demonstrate:

• A strong interest and solid foundational knowledge in at least one of the research projects

• Proven competence in computational design workflows, particularly in Rhino and Grasshopper

• Knowledge of Python, C#, finite element analysis, or related computational methods is considered an advantage, but is not required

• Clear motivation to conduct structured research and to produce documented and publishable research outcomes

• Experience with hands-on and experimental laboratory-based work, including fabrication and testing

• High proficiency in English, both written and spoken

• Ability to work independently while coordinating effectively within interdisciplinary research teams

• Strong communication skills across graphical, written, and oral formats

The following qualifications are considered beneficial:

• Experience in teaching assistance or co-supervision of student projects

• Peer-reviewed publications or other documented research outputs

• Documented involvement in research, innovation, or externally funded projects

• Engagement with academic or industry stakeholders in relevant domains

Contact information

For further information about this position and SDU CREATE's activities, please contact the Head of Centre, Associate Professor Roberto Naboni, at ron@iti.sdu.dk. 

For additional information on the Centre´s work, visit the website at www.create-sdu.com. 

If you experience technical problems, please contact hcm-support@sdu.dk. 

Application procedure

Please ensure you have read the SDU information on how to apply before submitting your application. Your application should be submitted in English and include the following documents, uploaded in the specified sequence and PDF format:

1. Curriculum Vitae, including academic and professional employment, descriptions of research projects, teaching and supervision experience, funding experience, awards, exhibitions, keynote and invited lectures, and computational skills.

2. List of Publications (if any), including attached articles that you wish to be assessed by the committee.

3. Verified Copies of Master's Diploma in English 

4. Motivation Letter including a research statement within one or more thematic research areas (2-5 pages). Outline your qualifications, research interests specific to the position and your goals 

5. Portfolio of Works (up to 15 pages) showcasing research, teaching, or professional projects.

6. Reference List: Include at least two references, providing names and email addresses. These references may be contacted during the selection process.

SUBMISSION GUIDE: The Motivation Letter shall be uploaded in the box ‘Cover letter’ (max. 5 MB), Curriculum Vitae shall be uploaded in the box ‘Resume’ (max 5 MB). All other documents shall be uploaded under ‘Miscellaneous documents’ (max 10 files of max 50 MB per file). 

CPR number (civil registration no.) must be crossed out. All PDF-files must be unlocked and allow binding and may not be password protected.

The application deadline is February 15, 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.  

Conditions of employment
The advertised position(s) last for 12-36 months. The ideal commencement date for the role is April 1, 2026, or as soon as possible. While this position has a fixed contractual term, there are concrete opportunities for further career development within the Centre, ideally leading to a doctoral position. The workplace is at SDU Odense in Denmark. Successful candidates will be employed in accordance with the collective agreement between the Ministry of Finance and the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations for academics in the state with the associated circular on the protocol for the job structure for academic staff at Danish universities and the provisions for research assistant as described herein. For additional details regarding salary and taxation, please visit: https://www.sdu.dk/en/om-sdu/job-sdu/international-staff/working-in-denmark.

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

Employment as research assistant requires qualifications at minimum master’s level (equivalent to a Danish master’s degree) at the time of employment.

The University of Southern Denmark wishes our 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, 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.

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.