Postdoctoral position in Computer Science with focus on HMI/Shared Autonomy - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

Description of the workplace
The position is with Assoc.Prof. Elin A. Topp (https://cs.lth.se/elin_anna_topp) in the group for AI and Human-Robot Interaction of the division of Robotics and Semantic Systems (RSS, https://rss.cs.lth.se) within the Department of Computer Science of Lund University’s Faculty of Engineering. The position is funded through a WASP and Aalto University Collaborative Postdoctoral Fellow Project (https://wasp-sweden.org). In this project, AI methods will be combined with suitable user interface techniques including virtual or augmented reality to support situational awareness in shared autonomy, mainly targeting autonomous vehicles.  A more detailed description, also of the working environment including accessible research arenas and platforms, is available at https://cs.lth.se/topp-elinanna/postdoc-project/.  

The RSS division hosts several tightly cooperating groups and researchers working in areas ranging from core Machine Learning, through Knowledge Based Methods and Learning in Robotics, Construction Robotics, and Natural Language Processing, to Human Robot Interaction. As of June 2022 the division is scientific home to three professors, two associate and four assistant professors/lecturers, four postdoctoral researchers and ten PhD students. Many collaborations on all levels also outside the division are maintained and encouraged.

The Department including RSS has strong connections to the Swedish research programmes WASP (see https://wasp-sweden.org) and ELLIIT (https://elliit.se) and is well connected also internationally with leading institutions in the field.

You will join a dynamic, international, and overall young team of researchers, where internal seminar sessions across groups, occasional guest lectures and the possibility to participate in regular internal robot lab hands-on workshops and dissemination activities will be part of your work environment. The Department of Computer Science strives to maintain a positive working atmosphere and invites regularly to events like breakfast seminars and semester kick-off days with social activities.

We offer
Lund University is a public authority which means that employees get particular benefits, generous annual leave and an advantageous occupational pension scheme.
Read more on the University website about being a Lund University employee Work at Lund University

Subject description
The research area for the position is at the intersection of Robotics, AI, HRI, and Interaction Design, while it is formally placed within the subject area of Computer Science. You will be developing methods to support operators of (semi-)autonomous systems in their decision making by providing them with the necessary situational awareness.

Work duties
The main duty coming with a post-doctoral position is to conduct research. Teaching may also be included upon agreement, but at most up to 20% of working hours. The position includes the opportunity for three weeks of training in higher education teaching and learning. The purpose of the position is to develop your independence as a researcher and to create the opportunity of further development. 

Given the collaborative nature of the project, you will be travelling to some extent, to allow for coordination meetings, but possibly also for extended (1-2 weeks) visits with our project partners at Aalto University.

Detailed description of the work duties, such as:

• Conducting research according to the project description at https://cs.lth.se/topp-elinanna/postdoc-project/ 
• Supervision of degree projects if the work is related to your research 
• Co-supervision of / collaboration with PhD students working in related areas
• 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 or closely related to the subject area of the position. The certificate proving that the qualification requirement is met, must be provided before the employment decision is made. Priority will be given to candidates, who have graduated no more than three years prior to the last day for application. Under special circumstances, the doctoral degree can have been completed earlier.

Additional requirements:

• Very good oral and written proficiency in English 
• Good programming skills in at least one of the following languages: C, C++, C#, Python
• Experience with research in or closely related to Robotics, Autonomous Systems, Human-Robot/Computer Interaction, or Human-Machine Interfaces (including visualisation techniques and VR / AR)
• Good ability to work independently and structured 
• Good collaboration and communications skills. 

Assessment criteria 
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. Particular emphasis will be placed on research skills within the subject.

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

• Documented ability to develop and conduct high quality research
• Teaching skills

Other qualifications:

• Knowledge about and experience with ROS, potentially also ROS4HRI
• Experience with autonomous cars
• Knowledge about and experience with visualisation techniques, VR, or AR, and respective tools (e.g. Unreal, Unity)
• Alignment of your profile with the division’s ongoing research efforts and your willingness to contribute to its future development.
• Alignment of your interests and ideas expressed in the application’s cover letter with the project description

Consideration will also be given to 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.

Further information
This is a full-time, fixed-term employment of two 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”).

How to apply
Applications shall be written in English. Please format the application in accordance with LTH’s Academic qualifications portfolio - see link below. Include a description of how your experiences and interests align with the project description. 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/

Welcome with your application!