We invite applications for a fully funded 3-year PhD position in the Embedded Systems Engineering (ESE) research section at DTU Compute in collaboration with the Technical University of Munich (TUM), focusing on cutting-edge research in digital health, wearable sensing, and embedded artificial intelligence. The Project title is ‘IoT-based Assisted Living’ and the main purpose is to develop a low-power, privacy-preserving Internet of Things system that supports caregivers in delivering high-quality, home-based care for elderly individuals. The project focuses on developing technologies that support elderly individuals living at home, advancing smart healthcare solutions with the goal of enabling broader applications in remote monitoring, home-based health tracking, and rehabilitation. It aspires to lay the groundwork for integrating these systems into modern healthcare infrastructures, enhancing the quality, accessibility, and continuity of care for aging populations. The research should focus on low-power embedded systems, multimodal sensing (including wearable shoe-based platforms), and edge-cloud computing with serverless and federated learning techniques.
You will work on developing energy-efficient, privacy-preserving IoT systems to enable proactive elderly care at home. More specifically the main responsibilities of the PhD candidate will include:
- Designing and deploying wearable and ambient IoT sensing systems for activity and health monitoring.
- Implementing embedded AI models for anomaly detection and behaviour analysis.
- Working on digital twin and serverless IoT architectures.
You will be seconded to the Technical University of Munich during the project.
The contributions will include:
- Conducting cutting-edge research in IoT and Wearable Systems, Communication, Sensing and Serverless IoT.
- Publishing your research in high-impact journals and top-tier conferences.
- Collaborating with academic partners, both nationally and internationally.
- Engaging in the mentorship and supervision of BSc and MSc student projects.
- Contributing to the teaching at the department to get teaching experience.
- Participating actively in the research community, including attending and presenting at international and national conferences.
- Assisting with the technical reporting of the projects.
You must have a two-year master's degree (120 ECTS points) or a similar degree with an academic level equivalent to a two-year master's degree in a field related to one or more of the general areas of Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Telecommunication, Electronics.
Approval and Enrolment
The scholarship for the PhD degree is subject to academic approval, and the candidate will be enrolled in one of the general degree programmes at DTU. For information about our enrolment requirements and the general planning of the PhD study programme, please see DTU's rules for the PhD education.
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 appointment terms
The appointment will be based on the collective agreement with the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations. The allowance will be agreed upon with the relevant union.
The period of employment is 3 years. The position is available from 1 February 2026 or later according to mutual agreement.
You can read more about career paths at DTU here.
Further information
Further information may be obtained from Asst. Prof Charalampos Orfanidis or Prof. Xenofon Fafoutis.
You can read more here about working in our section, at DTU and in Denmark.
If you are applying from abroad, you may find useful information on working in Denmark and at DTU at DTU – Moving to Denmark. Furthermore, you have the option of joining our monthly free seminar “PhD relocation to Denmark and startup “Zoom” seminar” for all questions regarding the practical matters of moving to Denmark and working as a PhD at DTU.
Application procedure
Your complete online application must be submitted no later than 30 September 2025 (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
- Grade transcripts and BSc/MSc diploma (in English) including official description of grading scale
- Detailed descriptions of prior projects relevant to the topic should be mentioned in the CV including the role of the candidate, their contributions and their responsibilities.
- Publications (if any)
- A research statement outlining how your background aligns with the position's focus areas. (max 2 pages)
- Contact details of 2 references.
You may apply prior to obtaining your master's degree but cannot begin before having received it.
It is expected that you have a strong background on computer programming, computer communication and electronics. A comprehensive MSc thesis in a relevant field and/or previous publications are highly valued.
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.
Embedded Systems Engineering (ESE) is one of the 10 research sections of DTU Compute. Our mission encompasses the creation of insights that allow the development of context-aware, distributed, and embedded cyber-physical systems, with a particular focus on Internet-of-Things (IoT) and the computing continuum eras. Our vision is to pioneer advancements in high-tech distributed and embedded systems technology, driving change, and contributing positively to society. We strive for a future where our research and innovations form the cornerstone of technological advancements, and we're excited to include more brilliant minds in our journey. See our publications and projects here.
DTU Compute – Department of Mathematics and Computer Science – is an internationally recognised academic environment with over 400 employees and 10 research sections. We broadly cover digital technologies within mathematics, data science, computer science, and computer engineering, including artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, internet of things (IoT), chip design, cybersecurity, human-computer interaction, social networks, fairness, and data ethics. Our research is rooted in basic research and centres on mathematical models of the physical and virtual world, as a basis for the analysis, design, and implementation of complex systems. We focus on ensuring that our research results contribute to creating a better society by supporting areas such as health, green transition, energy supply, and life science. We collaborate with universities, public and private organisations, and companies in Denmark and abroad, and through DTU’s startup ecosystem, we encourage innovation and entrepreneurship. We have a strong ethical, human, and sustainable approach that ensures integrity in our work. Therefore, we strive for and take responsibility for driving the democratisation of digital technologies, so that everyone has the opportunity to actively participate in the development, and we ensure a continued open, democratic, and inclusive society for the benefit of all. At DTU Compute, we value diversity, inclusion, and a flexible work-life balance. Read more about us at www.compute.dtu.dk.
Technology for people
DTU develops technology for people. With our international elite research and study programmes, we are helping to create a better world and to solve the global challenges formulated in the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Hans Christian Ørsted founded DTU in 1829 with a clear mission to develop and create value using science and engineering to benefit society. That mission lives on today. DTU has 13,500 students and 6,000 employees. We work in an international atmosphere and have an inclusive, evolving, and informal working environment. DTU has campuses in all parts of Denmark and in Greenland, and we collaborate with the best universities around the world.
