Are you ready to take the next step in your academic journey? As a doctoral student with us, you’ll work closely with leading researchers in a strong, international research environment, with access to advanced laboratory equipment and excellent funding opportunities. We offer a secure position, high-quality supervision, and room to grow, both as a researcher and as a person.

Robotics and Artificial Intelligence (RAI) at the Department of Systems and Space Engineering at Luleå University of Technology is now seeking a doctoral student to contribute to our growing program. The RAI team conducts fundamental and principled research in all aspects of robotics with a specific focus on aerial, space, and bio-inspired robotics.

Subject Description

Robotics and Artificial Intelligence aims to develop new robotic systems characterized by advanced autonomy to improve robots’ ability to interact with their environment and humans while performing specific tasks.

Project description

RAI’s vision is to bridge the gap between theory and reality, and the team has a strong background in field robotics. The application areas we focus on include robotics for mining, aerial inspection of aging infrastructure, multi-robot search and rescue for emergency services, and similar fields. Furthermore, we work with multisensor fusion and multi-robot coordination, which includes environmental perception, decentralization, and the execution of specified tasks for multi-robot systems.

Job Responsibilities

You will conduct research with experimental elements that will be published in internationally recognized academic journals and presented at major conferences. You will also work with supervising thesis projects, teaching assistance, and support in applying for funding for future research projects from research funding agencies/councils, EU projects, or industry.

As a doctoral student, you will work within the field of autonomous robotic systems, and your activities will be linked to national, European, and global R&D projects. More specifically, the doctoral positions will involve focused research activities in design, experimentation, and theory development:

• Field robotics with a focus on Arctic environments
• Autonomous navigation and motion planning in sensor-degraded disaster environments
• Multimodal perception and localization for robots in extreme visibility conditions
• Source localization and risk assessment using multisensor fusion
• Semantics-based exploration strategies for high-risk robots in search and rescue
• Remote biometric analysis and triage assessment for field robotics in emergency response

Qualifications

To be eligible for a doctoral position, you must hold a five-year university degree in computer science, engineering physics, or another relevant field. Strong scientific skills and excellence in experimental research, as well as good verbal and written communication skills. You will represent the group in various contexts, both in Sweden and abroad; therefore, very good English skills are a requirement.

For further information on specific doctoral programs, see http://www.ltu.se/research/Utbildning-pa-forskarniva/Studieplaner/Allmanna-studieplaner-Teknisk-fakultetsnamnd

Information

Employment as a doctoral student is limited to 4 years; teaching and other departmental duties may be added up to 20% of full-time hours. Place of employment: Luleå; start date to be agreed upon.

For further information, please contact:

George Nikolakopoulos, Professor and Department Chair, 0920-49 1298 mailto:geonik@ltu.se

Union representative:

SACO-S Diana Chroneer, 0920-49 2037 mailto:diana.chroneer@ltu.se

OFR-S Marika Vesterberg, 0920-49 1721 mailto:marika.vesterberg@ltu.se

Application

We prefer that you apply for the position via the application button below, where you should attach a cover letter and a CV/resume with academic credentials, at least two references, and copies of verified degree certificates. Degree certificates must be written in Swedish or English. The application must be written in English. Please mark your application with the reference number below.

Application deadline: June 26, 2026

Reference number: 3620-2026