Internship / Thesis in Autonomous Shipping Research

About the role

Join the Automation Research team at Damen to work on cutting‑edge technologies for autonomous shipping. You will focus on topics such as vessel dynamics, sensor fusion, collision avoidance, or the development of a ROS‑based autonomy simulator, depending on your background.

Key responsibilities

• Answer a specific research question (e.g., selecting sensors for autodocking) or develop a research tool (e.g., setting up an autonomy simulator in ROS).
• Perform simulations, work with static sensor setups, model boats in a water basin, or test on a full‑size vessel, based on the assignment.

Required profile

• Master’s student in control, robotics, mathematics, mechatronics, embedded software, or HMI design.
• Available for a minimum of six months and able to work on‑site in Gorinchem.

Required skills

• Proficiency in Python and ROS for simulation and robotics control.
• Programming in C or C++.
• Experience with sensors such as W‑band radar, long‑wave infrared, and standard maritime protocols (e.g., NMEA).
• Ability to work with algorithms, tracking, sensor fusion and calibration processes.

What we offer

• Internship/graduation fee and travel allowance for the duration of the assignment.
• A dynamic, international work environment with informal atmosphere and academic mentoring.