Postdoctoral Researcher in Robotics and Artificial Intelligence (RAI)

Luleå University of Technology is experiencing strong growth with world-leading expertise in several research areas. We are shaping the future through innovative education and groundbreaking research results, and from the Arctic region, we create global societal benefits. 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 nearly 2.1 billion SEK per year. We currently have 1,900 employees and 18,700 students.

In the coming years, multi-billion investments will be made in Norrbotten and Västerbotten in large projects aimed at creating a more sustainable society both nationally and globally. Luleå University of Technology is involved in several of these highly relevant research projects and the societal transformation that follows. We have a wide range of educational offerings to match the skills that are in demand. We hope you will help us build the sustainable companies and societies of the future.

We are looking for a postdoctoral researcher in Robotics and Artificial Intelligence (RAI) (https://www.fieldrobotics.eu/ (https://www.fieldrobotics.eu/)) at the Department of Systems and Space Technology as part of the national research program WASP.

The Wallenberg AI, Autonomous Systems and Software Program, WASP, is Sweden's largest single research program in modern times. The program creates a platform for academic research and education in close collaboration with leading Swedish technology-intensive industry. The research includes artificial intelligence and autonomous systems that operate in collaboration with humans and adapt to their environment using sensors, information, and knowledge, creating intelligent systems of systems. WASP's vision is excellent research and competence in artificial intelligence, autonomous systems, and software for the benefit of Sweden's industry and society. Read more: https://wasp-sweden.org/ (https://wasp-sweden.org/)

You will be part of the Robotics and Artificial Intelligence research group. For more information on Robotics and AI - Luleå University of Technology, LTU (https://www.ltu.se/robotics (https://www.ltu.se/robotics)). You will have the opportunity to collaborate with a strong interdisciplinary and international professional network between researchers and industry linked to WASP.

Subject Description

Robotics and artificial intelligence aim to develop new robotic systems characterized by advanced autonomy to improve the robots' ability to interact with the environment and humans while performing specific tasks.

Project Description

The vision of RAI is to bridge the gap between theory and reality, while the team has strong expertise in field robotics. The RAI team conducts fundamental and principle-driven research in all aspects of robotics, with strong European and national participation in several R&D&I projects. RAI has participated in the DARPA SUB-T challenge with the CoSTAR team, led by NASA/JPL (https://costar.jpl.nasa.gov/ (https://costar.jpl.nasa.gov/)). We focus on key application areas, including robotics for mining, airborne inspection of aging infrastructure, autonomy for space robotics, and search and rescue operations with multiple robots.

The focus will be on the following key areas:

• Human-robot interaction
• Predictive learning and task planning in shared workspaces
• Autonomy for modular robots towards reconfigurable morphogenesis
• Resilient sensors for perception-degraded environments, multisensory fusion
• Collaborative perception and localization for multi-robot teams
• LLMs and VLMs to enhance high-level planning and situational awareness
• Cognitive perception, semantic reasoning, and scene map creation
• Fluid-based manipulation

Job Responsibilities

The responsibilities of a postdoctoral researcher primarily involve research. You will conduct research with significant experimental components that should be published in international, peer-reviewed journals and at major conferences. The position includes supervising PhD and master's students, teaching, and supporting the acquisition of funding for future research projects from research funding agencies/councils, the EU framework program, or industry.

Your Qualifications

To be eligible for employment as a postdoctoral researcher, you must have a PhD or a foreign degree equivalent to a PhD in automatic control or a related field. A PhD awarded no more than three years before the application deadline provides a useful qualification. Candidates who have been awarded a PhD earlier may also be considered if there are special reasons, such as various types of statutory leave of absence.

The research tasks require a solid mathematical background with proven advanced experimental skills and excellent programming skills (e.g., C++, ROS, Matlab, Python, etc.). You should have a strong vision for evaluating and demonstrating research results under real operational conditions, with an approach to bridging the gap between pure theory and experimental verifications. You will need to represent the group in various contexts, both in Sweden and abroad, and thus have excellent English language skills. Experience in field robotics and reality-tested experimentation will be highly valued as a merit.

Information

The employment is temporary for 2 years.
Work location Luleå. Expected start date: October 1, 2025

For further information, please feel free to contact:
George Nikolakopoulos, Professor and Subject Representative, 0920-49 1298, geonik@ltu.se (mailto:geonik@ltu.se).

Union representatives:
SACO-S Diana Chroneer, 0920-49 2037 diana.chroneer@ltu.se (mailto:diana.chroneer@ltu.se)
OFR-S Lars Frisk, 0920-49 1792 lars.frisk@ltu.se (mailto:lars.frisk@ltu.se)

Application

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

Application deadline: May 2, 2025
Reference number: 1520-2025