Postdoc position in Automatic Control with focus on Robotics

Lund University was founded in 1666 and is repeatedly ranked among the world’s top 100 universities. The University has 40 000 students and more than 8 000 staff based in Lund, Helsingborg and Malmö. We are united in our efforts to understand, explain and improve our world and the human condition.

LTH forms the Faculty of Engineering at Lund University, with approximately 9 000 students. The research carried out at LTH is of a high international standard and we are continuously developing our teaching methods and adapting our courses to current needs.

Subject description

The Department of Automatic Control is one of the departments at LTH. Our research is focused on the sustainable and safe operation of technical systems to the benefit of people and the planet. We pursue both fundamental research and research on a variety of applications, ranging from those in more traditional technological fields, such as robotics, energy supply, and transportation, to less obvious ones, such as health care, communications, and economics. Automatic control, mathematics, and computer science form the core of all our research. 

Do you want to be part of our research environment and address tomorrow’s control challenges? Then this postdoctoral position is aimed for you!

This time, we are looking for a candidate for the following research project:
Filtering, Optimization, and Control for Autonomous Vehicle, a 2-year postdoc position within the ELLIIT-project "Autonomous Radiation Mapping and Isotope Composition Identification by Mobile Gamma Spectroscopy".

The postdoc will work in a cross-disciplinary project which concerns the estimation of radiation fields from spectrometers mounted on UAVs, and involves two main components:

The first relates to machine learning and concerns the development of algorithms for Bayesian inference. These methods should incorporate (i) known geometries in the environment, (ii) known attenuation of radiation with distance, and (iii) modeled dynamics of the UAV and sensor.

The second part of the project concerns the implementation and experimental validation of these methods in field experiments.

We seek candidates with a strong background of relevance for control, robotics and autonomous systems, in combination with a willingness to collaborate and communicate across disciplines. Good knowledge of filtering and control theory, relevant methods in machine learning, and experience with C++, Python, Julia, or Matlab is highly desirable. Also experience from research in experimental robotics is desirable.

Work duties

The main duties involved in a post-doctoral posistion is to conduct research. The candidate is also expected to contribute to the general scientific discussion at the department, to the teaching of PhD level courses. Teaching duties may be done at a maximum of 20% of working hours. Depending on the research project, the candidate may also be expected to initiate and maintain inter-departmental collaborations, and to assist in supervising students on MSc and PhD levels. The position shall include the opportunity for three weeks of training in higher education teaching and learning.

 Detailed description of the work duties, such as:

• Research within the subject area
• Teaching in the first, second and third cycles of studies
• Supervision of degree projects and doctoral students
• Actively seeking external research funding
• Collaboration with industry and wider society
• Administration related to the work duties listed above

Qualification requirements

Appointment to a post-doctoral position requires that the applicant has a PhD, or an international degree deemed equivalent to a PhD, within the subject of the position, completed no more than three years before the last date for applications. Under special circumstances e.g. parental leave, or relevant industrial experience, the doctoral degree can have been completed earlier.

Additional requirements:

• Very good oral and written proficiency in English.
• Good knowledge of filtering and control theory
• Good knowledge of relevant methods in machine learning
• Experience with C++/Python/Matlab

The working languages are English and Swedish. Excellent skills in both spoken and written English is a requirement for the position. Interest in learning Swedish during the employment in Lund is desirable.

Assessment criteria and other qualifications

This is a career development position primarily focused on research. The position is intended as an initial step in a career, and the assessment of the applicants will primarily be based on their research qualifications and potential as researchers. The basis of assessment is the ability to develop and implement research of good quality and teaching ability. Particular emphasis will be placed on research skills within the subject. Specifically, good knowledge within filtering, optimization, relevant machine learning methods, and control for UAVs will be considered, in addition to experience from working with experimental robotics and implementations in C++, Python, Julia, or Matlab.

For appointments to a post-doctoral position, the following shall form the assessment criteria:

• A good ability to develop and conduct high quality research.
• Teaching skills.

Additional assessment criteria:

• Good knowledge of filtering and control theory, relevant methods in machine learning, and experience with C++/Python/Matlab

Consideration will also be given to good collaborative skills, drive and independence, and how the applicant’s experience and skills complement and strengthen ongoing research within the department, and how they stand to contribute to its future development. We are looking for a person who is flexible and open, willing to cooperate and contribute to the overall working climate at the department. Other bases of assessment are independence and a display of initiative, as well as the ability to make new connections, communicate and collaborate with colleagues both within and outside academia.

Terms of employment

This is a full-time, fixed-term employment of a maximum of 2 years. The period of employment is determined in accordance with the agreement “Avtal om tidsbegränsad anställning som postdoktor” (“Agreement on fixed-term employment as a post-doctoral fellow”) between Lund University, SACO-S, OFR/S and SEKO, dated 4 September 2008.

Instructions on how to apply

Applications shall be written in English. Please draw up the application in accordance with LTH’s Academic qualifications portfolio – see link below. Upload the application as PDF-files in the recruitment system. Read more: http://www.lth.se/english/working-at-lth/to-apply-for-academic-positions-at-lth/

Lund University welcomes applicants with diverse backgrounds and experiences. We regard gender equality and diversity as a strength and an asset. We kindly decline all sales and marketing contacts.

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Type of employment Temporary position longer than 6 months
Contract type Full time
Number of positions 1
Working hours 100
City Lund
County Skåne län
Country Sweden
Reference number PA2020/4262
Contact
Anders Robertsson, +46462228790
Union representative
OFR/ST:Fackförbundet ST:s kansli, 046-222 93 62
SACO:Saco-s-rådet vid Lunds universitet, 046-222 93 64
SEKO: Seko Civil, 046-222 93 66
Published 08.Feb.2021
Last application date 08.Mar.2021 11:59 PM CET