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, at the department of Computer Science and Electrical and Space Engineering at Luleå University of Technology, is now looking for four PhD students to contribute to our growing activities. The RAI team is conducting fundamental research in all the aspects of robotics with a specific focus on aerial, space and bioinspired robotics.
Subject description Robotics and artificial intelligence aim to develop novel robotic systems that are characterised 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 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, 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 is also participating in the DARPA SUB-T challenge with the CoSTAR Team lead by NASA/JPL.
Duties As a PhD student you will perform research with substantial theoretical and experimental components that should be published in peer-reviewed major international journals and at major conferences. The position will include supervision of MSc and to assist in grant applications from research funding agencies/councils, the EU framework program or the industry. The position might also involve teaching assistance, seminars and presentations. You will be working in the field of aerial robotics and their activities will be linked with National, European and worldwide R&D Projects. The research topic is in the area of Robotics and Artificial Intelligence. More specifically, the position will involve dense research activities in the area of designing, experimenting and theoretical control development in the following research areas:
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, creating soft robots
Distributed task planning and navigation for collaborative manipulation. -Localization in cluttered indoor environments -Motion planning for non-circular unsymmetric robots -Distributed task planning for collaborative missions -Cluttered environments perception and control -Learning-based multi-agent perception and mapping in static and dynamic environments
For further information about a specific subject see general curricula for the Board of the faculty of science and technology
Qualifications To be qualified for the position, you must have a MSc degree in Electrical, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science, Agricultural engineering or related subject. Good scientific skills in real life experimentation, as well as very good communication skills are considered as a strong plus. You will represent the group in different occasions, both in Sweden and world-wide, hence very good knowledge in English is a must.
Further information Employment as a PhD student is limited to 4 years, teaching and other department duties may be added with max 20%.
For further information please contact: Chaired Professor George Nikolakopoulos, +46 (0)920 491298, [email protected]
Union representatives: SACO-S Kjell Johansson, [email protected] +46 (0)920 491529 OFR-S Lars Frisk, [email protected] +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 CV with a full description of all the scientific merits of the candidate, motivation letter, list of 2 persons that could provide recommendation for the candidate and copies of verified diplomas from high school and universities. The diplomas must be written in Swedish or English. Your application must be written in English. Mark your application with the reference number below.
Closing date for application: 16 April, 2024 Reference number: 1412-2024