PhD Student in Robotics and AI - Contextual perception-based knowledge representation and reasoning in Robotics

Luleå University of Technology experiences rapid growth with world-leading expertise within several research domains. We shape the future through innovative education and groundbreaking research results and drawing on our location in the Arctic region, we create global societal benefit. Our scientific and artistic research and education are carried out in close collaboration with international, national and regional companies, public actors and leading universities. Luleå University of Technology has an annual turnover of SEK 1.8 billion. Today, we have 1,770 staff and 17,200 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 (RAI) subject at the department of Computer Science and Electrical and Space Engineering at Luleå University of Technology, is now looking for one PhD student contributing 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. 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.

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.

Tasks
As a PhD 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 robotics and their activities will be linked with National, European and wordwide R&D Projects.

The research topic is in the area of Robotics and Artificial Intelligence. More specifically, the position will involve dense theoretical and experimental research activities in the field of  robot  perception and scene contextual understanding, integrating knowledge representation and reasoning to increase the cognition capabilities.

Research Topic: Contextual perception-based knowledge representation and reasoning in Robotics

- Perception algorithms for object pose estimation, image enhancement, predicting scene interestingness in robotic applications
- Multi-modal and spatio-temporal perceptual reasoning (semantics, geometry, relations) for enhancing perception confidence and reliability.
- Considering context in knowledge domains for behaviour planning, situation analysis and action reasoning.

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 or Mechanical Engineering or Computer Science or related subject. Perfect scientific skills with excellence 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.

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 +46 920 491298, [email protected]

Union representatives:  SACO-S Kjell Johansson [email protected] +46 (0)920-49 1529, OFR-S Lars Frisk, [email protected] +46 (0)920-49 1792

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.

Final day to apply: December 30, 2021
Reference number: 4257-2021

URL to this pagehttps://www.ltu.se/ltu/Lediga-jobb?l=en&rmpage=job&rmjob=5221&rmlang=UK