PostDoc position in Semantic Perception for Context-Aware Collaborative Robots

Position

(Post-doctoral) Researcher

Department(s)

Mechanical Engineering

Institutes and others

EAISI - Eindhoven Artificial Intelligence Systems Institute

Reference number

V35.5616

Are you passionate about AI & Robotics?  Are you eager to work on a cutting-edge research project that aims to increase the level of autonomy in robots that collaborate with each other and with humans? Then, this position is a great opportunity for you to professionally grow and become an expert in the highly demanded fields of AI & Robotics at the center of the Brainport region in the Netherlands. You are expected to contribute to research that aims at advancing state-of-the-art in semantic perception algorithms for visual intention prediction and robotic decision making for collaborative robots.

Job Description

Automation and robotics technology is witnessing a shift from individual robots that can perform a specific task in known and structured environments towards collaborative robots that can interact with people and other robots to complete more diverse and complex tasks in unknown and unstructured settings. This requires robots to better understand and predict people, other robots, and their surroundings to engage in finer collaborative interactions. The capability of understanding environmental/task content (i.e., semantic perception) and “reading others’ minds” (i.e., intention prediction) is fundamental for robots to have situational awareness and anticipate the future in order to be better prepared for performing shared tasks with others in dynamic settings. The Dynamics & Control (D&C) and Control Systems Technology  (CST) Groups of the Department of Mechanical Engineering are looking for a new highly motivated group member to conduct high-risk, high-gain fundamental and applied research on visual semantic perception for collaborative robot interactions. You will also be affiliated with the Eindhoven Artificial Intelligence Systems Institute (EAISI). You will work in a dynamic and ambitious academic environment and have many opportunities to cooperate with both D&C, CST, and EAISI members and to present your research at leading AI & Robotics conferences and journals.

In this project, you will develop new learning-based visual semantic perception algorithms for context-aware intention prediction and decision making in collaborative human-robot and multi-robot tasks. We aim at combining semantic perception with data-driven and model-based prediction approaches for long-term contextual understanding and decision making in different scenarios including, but not limited to, cooperative human-robot games and socially aware robot navigation around people and other robots.

Eindhoven University of Technology

TU Eindhoven (TU/e) is a young mid-size university of technology located in the heart of the high-tech industry in the Netherlands, named the Brainport region. As of 2020, English is the official language of the university. TU/e is a highly ranked university both in research and education. Our training and research programs are highly regarded, and we foster close relationships with companies, organizations and research institutes in the Brainport region and beyond. Fundamental and applied research are equally valued here. The high rank of the TU/e is due to the impact of its scientific research on the industry and society and its strong research cooperation with industry. TU/e is a social and inspiring university with an open culture. You will quickly feel at home, surrounded by people who share your scientific ambitions. TU/e currently has nine departments, with over 11,000 students in total.

Department of Mechanical Engineering at TU/e

The Department of Mechanical Engineering is a core part of TU Eindhoven since the foundation of the university in 1956. Education and research are closely linked and belong to the core activities of the department. The Department of Mechanical Engineering offers a bachelor program and several master programs for approximately 1,500 students. Our research focuses on three knowledge pillars: Computational and Experimental Mechanics (CEM), Thermo Fluids Engineering (TFE), and Dynamical Systems Design (DSD). Our scientific staff (including more than 150 PhD students and post-docs) conduct active research in these fields organized at seven independent research groups. You will be affiliated with the Dynamics & Control and Control Systems Technology groups of the Dynamical Systems Design division.  

Dynamical Systems Design (DSD) Division

The Dynamical Systems Design (DSD) division at TU/e trains the next generation of students to understand and predict the dynamics of complex engineering systems in order to develop advanced control, estimation, planning, and learning strategies which are at the core of the intelligent autonomous systems of the future. Autonomous vehicles, fully automated industrial value chains, high-tech systems, collaborative robots in unstructured environments, intelligent medical devices, automated transportation networks, soft robotics, together with sustainable automotive technology are key examples of the broad application domain of the DSD division. The design of these systems requires a thorough understanding of their underlying dynamics. Therefore, the first focal point of our research is on both data-based and first-principles-based modelling, model complexity management, and dynamic analysis of complex, multi-physics and multi-disciplinary engineering systems. Building on this foundation, our second focal point is on “making autonomous systems smarter”. To this end, we develop both model- and data-based sensing, planning, and learning and control technologies to provide autonomous systems with the intelligence needed to guarantee performance, robustness, and safety. Combining the investigation on both dynamics and control theory in one section allows to take on these challenges standing in a privileged position. In particular, it enables us to educate uniquely skilled engineers and researchers as well as to valorize our research together with the high-tech, automotive and energy sectors.

Eindhoven Artificial Intelligence Systems Institute

The Eindhoven AI Systems Institute (EAISI, pronounced 'easy') is the new institute of Eindhoven University of Technology in the field of artificial intelligence (AI). EAISI brings together all AI activities of the TU/e under one roof. Top researchers from various research groups work together to create new AI applications with a direct impact on the real world. Building on the traditionally close ties of TU/e with industry, EAISI has partnerships with several leading companies and organizations, both at a regional, national and European level. EAISI research focuses on the use of data and algorithms in machines, such as robots, autonomous cars and medical equipment, which has always been a strong aspect of TU/e and the Eindhoven Brainport region. In addition, EAISI focus on widening AI by bringing in the human element, including trustworthy and transparent methods resulting in moral and ethical AI. EAISI follows an integrated multidisciplinary systems approach on AI with key contributions from three key knowledge domains, data science and algorithmic design, humans and ethics, and engineering systems, that is applied to three application domains, high-tech systems and robotics, healthcare, and mobility.

We are looking for a talented and enthusiastic postdoctoral researcher who meet the following requirements:

• A PhD degree (or equivalent) in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Robotics, or related disciplines.
• Solid background on computer vision and machine learning for visual object recognition and semantic perception.
• Excellent programming skills in Python and/or C++. Hands-on experience with OpenCV, PyTorch, TensorFlow, ROS, Gazebo, and real robot hardware is a plus.
• Excellent communication (academic writing, speaking and presentation) skills in English. 
• An independent, creative problem solver and a pro-active, responsible team player.

• A challenging job in a dynamic and ambitious university.
• A full-time employment for two years (starting as soon as possible).
• To support your professional development and to prepare you for the career step, you will have free access to a personal development program for postdocs (PROOF program ).
• A gross monthly salary in accordance with the Collective Labor Agreement for Dutch Universities, starting at € 3408 per month (gross).
• Additionally, an annual holiday allowance of 8% of the yearly salary, plus a year-end allowance of 8.3% of the annual salary.
• The possibility (for overseas applicants) to apply for the 30% tax regulation in order to get a higher net salary. If the tax office approves your application for the 30% regulation, you will receive a higher net amount per month for a maximum of five years.
• A broad package of fringe benefits (including an excellent technical infrastructure, moving expenses, and savings schemes).
• Family-friendly initiatives are in place, such as an international spouse program, and excellent on-campus children day care and sports facilities.

More information

Do you recognize yourself in this profile and would you like to know more about the position and the research project, please contact dr. Ömür Arslan (o.arslan[at]tue.nl) and dr. Elena Torta (e.torta[at]tue.nl).

More information about the employment conditions, please can be found here  or contact HRServices.Gemini[at]tue.nl.

Please visit www.tue.nl/jobs to find out more about working at TU/e!

Application

If you are interested in the position, we invite you to submit a complete application by using the “apply now” button on this page.

Your application should include:

• Cover Letter, in which you describe your motivation and qualifications for the research position (no more than two A4 pages).
• Curriculum Vitae, including relevant research experiences and a list of publications.
• Contact information of two references.
• Bachelor’s, Master’s, and PhD Transcripts (if applicable).
• Brief summary of your PhD thesis (no more than one A4 page), a copy of two selected publications and your PhD thesis (if applicable).

We look forward to your application and will screen your application as soon as possible.
The vacancy will remain open until the position is filled.

Please keep in mind you can upload only 5 documents up to 2 MB each. If necessary, please combine your files.