Postdoc position in Robotics and Artificial Intelligence

Do you want to develop your research and teaching in an environment where collaboration with industry and society is a natural part of the work? With us, you will collaborate with dedicated colleagues, have access to modern research infrastructure, and enjoy strong opportunities to attract external funding. You will have the space to make a real difference for your students, your research, and society at large.

The Robotics and Artificial Intelligence subject (RAI) (http://www.ltu.se/robotics) at the Department of Computer Science, Electrical and Space Engineering at Luleå University of Technology is now looking for a Postdoc contributing to our growing activities. The RAI team are conducting fundamental research in all the aspects of robotics with a specific focus on Aerial and Space 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, construction sites, 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 was also participating in the DARPA SUB-T challenge with the CoSTAR Team lead by NASA/JPL (https://costar.jpl.nasa.gov/).

Subject description

Robotics and artificial intelligence aim to develop novel robotic systems that are characterized 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

You will be working in the field of aerial robotics and the activities will be linked with National, European and Worldwide R&D Projects.

Characteristic research topics will focus on, but not be limited to, the following areas, where a proof of previous work with experimentally verified results is necessary:

• Navigation through unknown environments
• Rapid dynamics-based planning
• Semantic-based Exploration
• Source localization
• Perception in sensor-degraded environments:
• Localization in smoke and dust filled environments
• Scene awareness
• Biometric/triage evaluations, etc.
• Mission-specific modules such as autonomous firefighting, sampling, rescue operations, or large-scale mission planning.

Duties

The duties of a Postdoc primarily comprise research. You will perform research with substantial experimental components that should be published in peer-reviewed international journals and at major conferences. The position will include supervision of PhD and MSc students, teaching and supporting in acquiring funds for future research projects from research funding agencies/councils, EU framework program or industry.

Qualifications

In order to be eligible for employment as post doctor you must have a PhD or a foreign degree equivalent to a PhD in Automatic control or related subject. A doctoral degree awarded no more than three years before the application deadline provides a useful qualification. Candidates who have been awarded a doctoral degree at an earlier date may also be considered if there are special grounds, for example, different types of statutory leave of absence.

The research tasks require a solid mathematical background with proven advanced experimental capabilities and excellent programming skills (e.g. C++, ROS, Matlab, etc.). You should have a strong vision to evaluate and demonstrate the research findings in real life operating conditions, in an approach to close the gap between pure theory and experimental verifications. You will need to represent the group in different contexts, both in Sweden and abroad and hence have excellent skills in English.

Further information

The employment is limited to 2 years with possibility to be extended 1 year.

Placement: Luleå. Starting: Start according to agreement.

For further information please contact

Chaired Professor George Nikolakopoulos, (+46)920-49 1298, mailto:geonik@ltu.se

Union representatives:

SACO-S Diana Chroneer, (+46)920-49 2037 mailto:diana.chroneer@ltu.se

OFR-S Marika Vesterberg, (+46)920-49 1721 mailto:marika.vesterberg@ltu.se

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 detailed CV with a full description of all the scientific merits and publications of the candidate, motivation letter, a research plan with a description of the research topics, list of successful grant applications, list of 2 persons that could provide recommendation for the candidate and copies of verified and translated diplomas from high school and universities. Your application must be written in Swedish or English. Mark your application with the reference number below.

Closing date for application: 9 September, 2026

Reference number: 4292-2026