Postdoc position in Robotics and Artificial Intelligence

Luleå University of Technology is in strong growth with world-leading competence in several research areas. We shape the future through innovative education and ground-breaking research results, and based on the Arctic region, we create global social benefit. Our scientific and artistic research and education are conducted in close collaboration with international, national and regional companies, public actors and leading universities. Luleå University of Technology has a total turnover of SEK 1.9 billion per year. We currently have 1,840 employees and 17,670 students.

In the coming years, multi-billion investments will be made in large projects in Northern Sweden to create a fossil-free society both nationally and globally. Luleå University of Technology is involved in several of these cutting-edge research projects and in the societal transformation that they entail. We offer a broad range of courses and study programmes to match the skills in demand. We hope that you will help us to build the sustainable companies and societies of the future.The Robotics and Artificial Intelligence subject (RAI) (www.ltu.se/robotics) at the Department of Computer Science, Electrical and Space Engineering at Luleå University of Technology is now looking for one Postdoc contributing to our growing activities. The RAI team is conducting fundamental research in all the aspects of robotics with a specific focus on Aerial and Space robotics.
The vision of RAI is aiming in closing the gap from theory to real life, while the team has a strong expertise in field robotics. Specific application areas of focus are robotics for mines, construction sites, aerial inspection of aging infrastructure, multi-robotic search and rescue, multi sensorial fusion and multirobot coordination, including multirobot perception, decentralization and mission execution.
The RAI team has a strong European participation in multiple R&D&I projects, while RAI was also participating in the DARPA SUB-T challenge with the CoSTAR Team lead by NASA/JPL (https://costar.jpl.nasa.gov/).

Subject description
Robotics and artificial intelligence aim to develop novel robotic systems that are characterized by advanced autonomy for improving the ability of robots to interact with the surrounding environment and humans during the execution of specific tasks.

Project description
You will be working in the field of aerial robotics and the activities will be linked with National, European and Worldwide R&D Projects. Characteristic research topics will focus on, but not be limited to, the following areas where a proof of previous work with experimentally verified results is a necessary:

Generative AI (GAI) interfaces for intelligent high-level decision-making in robotics
- GAI-guided mission planning and online decision making in complex environments.
- Efficient and robust translation between GAI and robots with reliable two-way interfaces
- Dynamics-aware mission planning and execution with multi-modal sensor data

Quantum Machine Learning for robots
- Learning and reasoning-based navigation
- Distributed intelligence for swarms of robots

Modeling and Control of Soft Actuators using RL algorithms
- The modeling of the soft actuators having multi-degree of freedom, to tackle the time varying dynamics of the system especially due to time-varying mechanical characteristics.
- RL based approach to control, stabilize and maximize the output of actuators with minimum input.
- Implementing the actuators in real-time systems and creating soft robots.

Duties
The duties of a Postdoc primarily comprise research. You will perform research with substantial experimental components that should be published in peer-reviewed international journals and at major conferences. The position will include supervision of PhD and MSc students, teaching and supporting in acquiring funds for future research projects from research funding agencies/councils, EU framework program or industry.

Qualifications
In order to be eligible for employment as post doctor you must have a PhD or a foreign degree equivalent to a PhD in Automatic control or related subject. A doctoral degree awarded no more than three years before the application deadline provides a useful qualification. Candidates who have been awarded a doctoral degree at an earlier date may also be considered if there are special grounds, for example different types of statutory leave of absence.
The research tasks require a solid mathematical background with proven advanced experimental capabilities and excellent programming skills (e.g. C++, ROS, Matlab, etc.). You should have a strong vision to evaluate and demonstrate the research findings in real life operating conditions, in an approach to close the gap between pure theory and experimental verifications. You will need to represent the group in different contexts, both in Sweden and abroad and hence have excellent skills in English.

Further information
The employment is limited to 2 years with possibility to be extended 1 year. Starting in September 2024.

For further information please contact:
Chaired Professor George Nikolakopoulos, +46 (0)920 491298, geonik@ltu.se

Union representatives:
SACO-S Kjell Johansson, kjell.johansson@ltu.se +46 (0)920 491529
OFR-S Lars Frisk, lars.frisk@ltu.se +46 (0)920 491792

In case of different interpretations of the English and Swedish versions of this announcement, the Swedish version takes precedence.

Application
We prefer that you apply for this position by clicking on the apply button below. The application should include a detailed CV with a full description of all the scientific merits and publications of the candidate, motivation letter, a research plan with a description of the research topics, list of successful grant applications, list of 2 persons that could provide recommendation for the candidate and copies of verified and translated diplomas from high school and universities. Your application must be written in Swedish or English. Mark your application with the reference number below.

Closing date for application:  August 15, 2024
Reference number: 2196-2024