Doctoral student in Computer Science

Örebro University and the School of Science and Technology are looking for a doctoral student for the doctoral programme in Computer Science, concluding with a doctoral degree.

Start date: end of autumn 2023 at the latest.

Project description
The doctoral student will be employed in the project “Learning Object Affordances for Full-body Mobile Manipulation.” In this research project, we will aim at using machine learning to extract information about the ways in which objects in the environment allow a mobile manipulator to perform complex tasks. In this context, we define an affordance as a set of constraints that when satisfied afford a particular task objective: e.g., a door opening affordance could be formalized as a sequence of constraints on robot base motion, contact regions and object wrenches that allow the robot to execute a door opening motion. The focus of this PhD project will be on processing and integrating perceptual data to extract such full-body control affordances.

The successful candidate is autonomous, shows strong and independent problem solving and critical analytical abilities. Furthermore, the candidate has the ability to co-operate and possesses personal maturity. Fluent spoken and written command of English is essential, while knowledge of Swedish is not necessary. Excellent programming skills are also required, as are a keen interest in mathematics, computer science, and documented experience in Machine Learning. Prior experience in robotics, deep learning, and reinforcement learning are beneficial. Experience with robotic sensing and control, computer vision, and relevant software frameworks are other valuable merits.

This PhD project will be placed within a research arena connected to the WASP program.

Wallenberg AI, Autonomous Systems and Software Program (WASP) is Sweden’s largest individual research program ever, a major national initiative for strategically motivated basic research, education, and faculty recruitment. The program addresses research on artificial intelligence and autonomous systems acting in collaboration with humans, adapting to their environment through sensors, information and knowledge, and forming intelligent systems-of-systems.

The vision of WASP is excellent research and competence in artificial intelligence, autonomous systems and software for the benefit of Swedish industry.

Read more: https://wasp-sweden.org

The programme, doctoral studentship, entry requirements and selection
To see the advertisement in its entirety visit https://www.oru.se/english/career/available-positions/  

Information
For more information about the programme and the doctoral studentship, please contact Associate Professor Todor Stoyanov, e-mail: todor.stoyanov@oru.se, head of unit Professor Lars Karlsson, e-mail: lars.karlsson@oru.se, or head of subject Computer Science Professor Franziska Klügl, e-mail: franziska.klugl@oru.se.

Örebro University actively pursues equal opportunities and gender equality as well as a work environment characterized by openness, trust and respect. We value the qualities that diversity adds to our operations. We particularly welcome applications from candidates from under-represented genders and disadvantaged backgrounds.

Application to the programme and for the doctoral studentship
The application is made online. Click the button “Apply” to begin the application procedure.

For the application to be complete, the following electronic documents must be included:


• The form Application for/decision on admission to research studies
• CV
• Certificate on completed higher education courses and study programmes, and if applicable a degree certificate
• Degree project/independent project
• Copies of relevant course/degree certificates and references verifying eligibility and criteria met
• Description of research interests – detailing the field of research you are interested in, including, if applicable, theoretical and methodological approaches (2-5 pages).

As a main rule, application documents and attachments are to be written in Swedish, Danish, Norwegian, or English. Certificates and documents in other languages verifying your qualifications and experience must be translated by an authorised translator to Swedish or English. A list of authorised translators can be obtained from Kammarkollegiet (the Legal, Financial and Administrative Services Agency), www.kammarkollegiet.se/engelska/start.

When you apply for admission, you automatically also apply for a doctoral studentship.
More information for applicants will be found on our career site: https://www.oru.se/english/career/available-positions/applicants-and-external-experts/

The application deadline is 1st of September 2023. We look forward to receiving your application!

As we have already made our choices in terms of external collaboration partners and marketing efforts for this recruitment process, we decline any contact with recruitment agencies and advertisers.

As directed by the National Archives of Sweden (Riksarkivet), we are required to deposit one file copy of the application documents, excluding publications, for a period of two years after the appointment decision has gained legal force.