Research Assistant in Electronic Hardware Design for Autonomous Systems

Are you passionate about electronics and eager to contribute to research on autonomous systems? If you are building your engineering career and looking for hands-on experience across the full hardware development cycle – from design through to field deployment – this is your opportunity.

You will join a research team focused on the development of autonomous systems – including autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) – and contribute specifically to the electronic hardware that enables these platforms to operate reliably in challenging environments. By joining us, you will develop your technical skills alongside experienced researchers and engineers, and help advance the state of the art in autonomous systems technology.

Responsibilities and qualifications Your overall focus will be to design, develop, test, and deploy electronic hardware for autonomous systems, supporting an active research program centered on autonomous underwater and surface vehicles. You will contribute across the full hardware development cycle – from early-stage design through laboratory testing to field integration – working closely with researchers and engineers on live projects. Your work will directly support the group's research activities and help expand the capabilities of the autonomous platforms we operate.

Your primary tasks will be to:

• Design electronic hardware including PCBs, sensor interfaces, and power systems
• Develop and integrate embedded systems and hardware drivers
• Test and validate hardware in laboratory and field conditions
• Deploy and maintain electronic hardware on autonomous vehicle platforms
• Document designs, test procedures, and experimental results
• Support laboratory operations and equipment maintenance
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary research teams

We are looking for candidates with documented experience in electronic hardware design, development, testing, and deployment, preferably gained in the context of autonomous or robotic systems. Familiarity with autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) or similar field-deployable robotic platforms is a strong advantage. You work in a structured manner, communicate clearly, and thrive in a collaborative research environment.

As a formal qualification, you must have a master’s degree in engineering or equivalent.

We offer DTU is a leading technical university globally recognized for the excellence of its research, education, innovation and scientific advice. We offer a rewarding and challenging job in an international environment. We strive for academic excellence in an environment characterized by collegial respect and academic freedom tempered by responsibility.

Salary and terms of employment The appointment will be based on the collective agreement with the Confederation of Professional Associations. The allowance will be agreed upon with the relevant union.

The period of employment is 6 months. The starting date is 1 August 2026. The position is part-time at 30 hours per week.

You can read more aboutcareer paths at DTU here.

Further information Further information may be obtained from Roberto Galeazzi, leader of the Control, Robotics and Embodied AI, by sending an email toroga@dtu.dk.

You can read more aboutthe Department of Electrical and Photonics Engineering atwww.electro.dtu.dk.

If you are applying from abroad, you may find useful information on working in Denmark and at DTU atDTU – Moving to Denmark.

Application procedure Your complete online application must be submitted no later than 15 July 2026 (23:59 Danish time). Applications must be submitted as one PDF file containing all materials to be given consideration. To apply, please open the link "Apply now", fill out the online application form, and attach all your materials in English in one PDF file. The file must include:

• A letter motivating the application (cover letter)
• Curriculum vitae
• Links to webpages, GitHub repositories, YouTube channels reporting your work in the field of electronic hardware design
• Grade transcripts and BSc/MSc diploma (in English) including official description of grading scale
• Academic Diplomas (MSc)

Applications received after the deadline will not be considered.

All interested candidates irrespective of age, gender, disability, race, religion or ethnic background are encouraged to apply. As DTU works with research in critical technology, which is subject to special rules for security and export control, open-source background checks may be conducted on qualified candidates for the position.

DTU Electro DTU Electro employs more than 300 skilled researchers with competencies in electrical and photonics engineering. As a department, we strive towards creating sustainable energy and a greener internet, as well as strengthening cyber security and health technology. Working with industry and public organizations is one of our top priorities to find and implement new solutions to our society. We aim to offer education, research, and innovation of the highest standard, and our focus on application-oriented research enables us to work across many engineering disciplines and research areas, such as IT and the medical and health sciences. We have a close collaboration with researchers from all over the world, just as we collaborate with industry and public authorities about the dissemination of solutions based on electrical and photonics engineering as their key enabling technologies.

DTU – For the benefit of society since 1829 DTU is one of Europe's leading elite technical universities. Through research and education at an international top level, we create solutions to the major societal challenges of our time and help secure Europe's global leadership in sustainable technological development. Since Hans Christian Ørsted founded DTU almost 200 years ago, our mission has remained the same: We develop and create value through the natural and technical sciences for the benefit of society. DTU has 13,800 students, 1,600 PhD students, and 6,500 employees. We work in an international environment and have an inclusive, stimulating, and informal work culture. DTU has campuses in all parts of Denmark and in Greenland and collaborates with the best universities around the world.