Postdoctoral Researcher in Autonomous Vehicle Sensor Testing

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Discover Exciting Post-Doctoral Research Opportunities at Halmstad University!

Halmstad University adds value, drives innovation and prepares people and society for the future. Since the beginning in 1983, innovation and collaboration with society have characterised the University's education and research. The research is internationally reputable and is largely conducted in a multidisciplinary manner within the University's two focus areas: Health Innovation and Smart Cities and Communities. The University has a wide range of education with many popular study programmes. The campus is modern and well-equipped, and is situated close to both public transportation and the city center.

For more information about working at Halmstad University: hh.se/work-with-us

Halmstad University consists of four interdisciplinary Schools and the current position is located at the School of Information Technology (ITE). ITE is a multicultural school with around 130 employees from 20 different countries. It is a strong research and education environment, with focus on smart technology and its applications. Students and researchers are working with everything from AI and information driven care to autonomous vehicles, social robotics and digital design. ITE offers education on all levels, from undergraduate to PhD education, plus education for professional. Research is conducted within aware intelligent systems, smart electronic systems, cyber physical systems and digital service innovation. These four areas constitute the four technology areas of ITE . An innovation centre for information driven care called Leap for Life is connected to ITE, as well as a collaboration arena for electronic development, Electronics Centre in Halmstad (ECH).

For more information about the School of Information Technology: hh.se/ite

Description
We are seeking a highly motivated and skilled Post-Doctoral Researcher to join our multidisciplinary team. The successful candidate will be involved in real-world research between Halmstad University and Volvo Cars AB, quantifying the impact of sensor surface contamination on signal performance and contributing to the development of more robust advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) and autonomous drive (AD) systems. This is a two-year, fully funded position, possibly extending by one year if additional external funding is received. The project is entitled Quantifying Sensor Surface Contamination for Safe Vehicle Automation (QonSense).

The QonSense project addresses the challenge of surface contamination affecting sensor performance in ADAS and AD technology within the automotive industry. The core problem is ensuring sensor reliability in varied environments, a critical factor for achieving road safety and sustainability as outlined in the Vinnova FFI Safe Automated Driving sub-program’s mission.

Aligned with the FFI roadmap, which aims to enhance road safety and sustainable transport through safe, connected automated vehicles, this project aims to quantify sensor surface contamination's impact on signal performance. The project contributes directly to the sub-program's focus on vehicle perception, situational awareness, and efficient automated functionality development by achieving this goal.

As a joint initiative between Halmstad University & Volvo Cars AB, research and testing will be carried out equally at the ECH (Halmstad University) and the state-of-the-art wind tunnel facilities of Volvo Cars AB (Gothenburg). This is a two year position with a possibility to extension with one year if additional external funding is received.

Principal Duties
The duties will be:

• Research and Development: Conduct applied research in the field of sensor technology, signal processing, and vehicle automation. Design and develop experiments and methodologies to quantify the impact of surface contamination on sensor functionality.
• Data Analysis and Modeling: Analyze sensor data and co-develop predictive models to understand the effects of environmental factors on sensor performance.
• Collaboration: Work collaboratively with a team of researchers, engineers, and industry partners in multiple locations across Western Sweden. Participate in project meetings and facilitate knowledge transfer among all project partners and stakeholders.
• Dissemination: Present research findings at conferences and workshops. Publish research results in high-impact journals.

Qualifications
The candidate must hold a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Physics, or a related field, with experience in at least one of the following: sensor technology, signal processing, radar or vehicle automation. A post-doctoral position requires that the doctoral degree has been awarded within three years of the application deadline. Under special circumstances, leave due to illness, parental leave or similar circumstances, the doctoral degree can have been completed earlier. 

Strong analytical and problem-solving skills are required, with direct experience in making lab-based measurements and performing sensor data collection and data analysis. Excellent communication skills in English, both written and verbal, are required; the working language for the project is English. 

In addition to the above requirements, any of the following criteria are desirable for candidates to have and will form part of the assessment for potential candidates:

• Excellent networking and teamwork ability.
• Practical in-lab experience with hands-on experimental design and execution.
• Experience with machine learning techniques and their application in sensor data analysis.
• Knowledge of automotive industry standards and practices.
• Prior experience working in multidisciplinary and international research teams.
• Experience with wind tunnel facilities.
• Experience with anechoic chamber facilities.
• Fluid dynamics knowledge.
• Radar target simulation experience. 

Salary
Salary is to be settled by negotiation. The application should include a statement of the salary level required by the candidate.

Application
Applications should be sent via Halmstad University's recruitment system Varbi (see link on this page).

How to design your application

For further information, please contact Pererik Andreasson ([email protected]).

General Information
We value the qualities that gender balance and diversity bring to our organization. We therefore welcome applicants with different backgrounds, gender, functionality and, not least, life experience.

Read more about Halmstad University at Discover Halmstad University