Are you ready to take the next step in your academic journey? As a PhD student with us, you will work closely with leading researchers in a strong and international research environment, with access to advanced laboratory equipment and good funding opportunities. You are offered secure employment, 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 PhD student to contribute to our growing activities. 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 enhance robots' ability to interact with their environment and people when performing specific tasks.
Project Description
RAI's vision is to bridge the gap between theory and reality, and the team has strong expertise in field robotics. Specific application areas in focus are long-term autonomous missions in large and uncertain environments, semantic mission planning with foundation models, agent-based task decomposition and event-driven replanning, and autonomous semantically-aware inspection of complex infrastructure. The RAI team has strong European and national participation in several R&D&I projects.
Work Tasks
As a PhD student, you will conduct research with substantial theoretical and experimental components to be published in leading international peer-reviewed journals and at major conferences. The position includes supervision of degree projects and support in applications for funding from research funding agencies/councils, EU framework programs, or industry. The position may also include teaching assistance, seminars, and presentations.
You will work in the field of robotic autonomy, and all activities will be linked to national, European, and global R&D projects. The PhD position will involve extensive research activities in design, experimentation, and theoretical development.
Research Areas:
Long-term autonomy in uncertain environments
a. Planning and reasoning under uncertainty
Decision-making under uncertainty
Decentralized planning and coordination for multi-agent systems
b. Mapping and scene representations
Dynamic scene graphs modeling uncertainty
Unified situation awareness for multi-robot systems in large and degraded environments
Qualifications
To be qualified for the position, you must have a Master's degree in electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, computer science, or another relevant field. Strong knowledge of C++, Python, and ROS 2 is required. Strong scientific skills with demonstrated excellence in experimental research and very good communication skills are highly meriting. You will represent the group in various contexts, both in Sweden and abroad, therefore very good knowledge of English is a requirement.
For additional information about specific doctoral education, see http://www.ltu.se/research/Utbildning-pa-forskarniva/Studieplaner/Allmanna-studieplaner-Teknisk-fakultetsnamnd
Information
Employment as a PhD student is time-limited to 4 years; teaching and other institutional service may be added up to 20 %. Place of service Luleå and start date by agreement.
For further information, please contact:
George Nikolakopoulos, Professor and Subject Representative, 0920-49 1298 mailto:[email protected]
Labor Union Representative:
SACO-S Diana Chroneer, 0920-49 2037 mailto:[email protected]
OFR-S Marika Vesterberg, 0920-49 1721 mailto:[email protected]
Application
We prefer that you apply for the position using the application button below. Your application should contain a CV with a complete description of your scientific qualifications, a personal letter, a list of 2 references, and copies of verified certificates from secondary and university education. The certificates must be written in Swedish or English. Your application must be written in Swedish or English. Mark your application with the reference number below.
Application Deadline: October 1, 2026
Reference Number: 4646-2026