Doctoral student in Computer Science (Radar Radiance Maps for Robust Perception and Navigation)

Ref no: ORU 2.1.1-04623/2024

Örebro University and the School of Science and Technology are looking for a doctoral student for the doctoral programme in Computer Science, concluding with a doctoral degree.
Start date: no later than January 2025.

Project description

The research topics for this position are aimed towards truly robust, long-term, all-weather operation for self-driving vehicles and robots. More concretely, the research will be centered around modern 3D data representations, such as neural radiance fields and Gaussian splatting, and processing of state-of-the-art high-resolution radar sensors -- and the combination thereof. Common sensors like lidars and cameras struggle in low-visibility conditions (dust, smoke, fog). Despite recent progress toward long-term autonomy, ensuring reliable perception in all environment conditions remains a challenge. Radar presents several advantages for robust perception: long range, instantaneous per-point speed data, and insensitivity to attenuation. However, radar comes with its own set of challenges, including noise, multipath reflections, and artifacts arising from the wide beam width. Addressing these challenges is crucial for harnessing the full potential of radar in autonomous navigation and perception.

The doctoral student will have the opportunity to use the facilities and collaborate with other researchers and industry partners at the WASP Research Arena on Public Safety as well as using field robots and sensor systems available at Örebro University.

The position will be funded by the Wallenberg AI, Autonomous Systems and Software Programme (WASP), which is Sweden’s largest individual research program ever, a major national initiative for strategically motivated basic research, education and faculty recruitment. The programme addresses research on artificial intelligence and autonomous systems acting in collaboration with humans, adapting to their environment through sensors, information and knowledge, and forming intelligent systems-of-systems.

The vision of WASP is excellent research and competence in artificial intelligence autonomous systems and software for the benefit of Swedish society and industry.

Read more: https://wasp-sweden.org/

The programme and the doctoral studentship

The doctoral programme consists of courses and an independent research project that you will present in a doctoral thesis. The programme concludes with a doctoral degree and comprises 240 credits, which corresponds to four years of full-time study.

The graduate school within WASP is dedicated to provide the skills needed to analyze, develop, and contribute to the interdisciplinary area of artificial intelligence, autonomous systems and software. Through an ambitious program with research visits, partner universities, and visiting lecturers, the graduate school actively supports forming a strong multi-disciplinary and international professional network between PhD-students, researchers and industry.

The place on the programme is linked to a full-time doctoral studentship for the duration of the study programme, which corresponds to four years of full-time study. More information on doctoral studentships, part-time studies and part-time doctoral studentships can be found in the Regulations Handbook. The initial salary for a doctoral studentship is SEK 30 300 a month.

Entry requirements and selection

For admission to doctoral studies, applicants are required to meet both general entry requirements and specific entry requirements. In addition, applicants must be considered in other respects to have the ability required to benefit from the programme. For a full account of the entry requirements, refer to the admissions regulations as well as to annex 2 to the general syllabus for computer science.

Applicants meet the specific entry requirements for doctoral studies in computer science if they  have been awarded a Degree of Master of Science in Engineering or a one-year Master’s degree from a programme within the subject field or related subjects, or if he or she has received a passing grade of at least 120 credits, including an independent project of at least 15 credits, in a main field of study of relevance to the computer science field. At least 30 credits of the 120 credits must have been awarded in the second cycle. A person who has acquired substantially corresponding knowledge, in Sweden or abroad, also meets the specific entry requirements.

Furthermore, the successful candidate is autonomous, shows strong and independent problem-solving skills and critical analytical abilities. Fluent spoken and written command of English is essential, while knowledge of Swedish is not necessary. Excellent programming skills are also required, as is a keen interest in mathematics, computer science, and robotics. Prior knowledge in modern machine learning techniques and probabilistic methods is beneficial. Experience with autonomous robots and relevant software frameworks is another valuable merit.

Information

For more information about the programme and the doctoral studentship, contact Martin Magnusson (martin.magnusson@oru.se) or Head of School, Henrik Olsson (henrik.olsson@oru.se).

At Örebro University, we expect each member of staff to be open to development and change; take responsibility for their work and performance; demonstrate a keen interest in collaboration and contribute to development; as well as to show respect for others by adopting a constructive and professional approach.

Örebro University actively pursues equal opportunities and gender equality as well as a work environment characterised by openness, trust and respect. We value the qualities that diversity adds to our operations.

Örebro University is internationally known for its expertise within artificial intelligence and robotics and is involved in a number of high-profile initiatives related to AI (see https://www.oru.se/english/our-profile/ai/).  Örebro University is highly active in the relevant European forums and platforms, and several EU-funded research projects. We are a modern, broad-based, and growing university. We endeavor to be an attractive place of work where members of staff feel a sense of pride and satisfaction. Currently, 1,600 employees and 17,000 students come to work and study at Örebro University.

Application to the programme and for the doctoral studentship

The application is made online. Click the button “Apply” to begin the application procedure.

For the application to be complete, the following electronic documents must be included:

• The form Application for/decision on admission to research studies
• CV
• Copies of the original certificate and official transcript for Bachelor's degree
• Copies of the original certificate and official transcript for Master's degree
• Independent project (degree project)
• Other relevant documents, course and degree certificates verifying eligibility
• Description of research interests – describing your research interests and how your background fits the position (1 page).

As a main rule, application documents and attachments are to be written in Swedish, Danish, Norwegian, or English. Certificates and documents in other languages verifying your qualifications and experience must be translated by an authorised translator to Swedish or English. A list of authorised translators can be obtained from Kammarkollegiet (the Legal, Financial and Administrative Services Agency), www.kammarkollegiet.se/engelska/start.

When you apply for admission, you automatically also apply for a doctoral studentship.
More information for applicants will be found on our career site: https://www.oru.se/english/career/available-positions/applicants-and-external-experts/

The application deadline is 2024-08-19. We look forward to receiving your application!

As we have already made our choices in terms of external collaboration partners and marketing efforts for this recruitment process, we decline any contact with recruitment agencies and advertisers.

As directed by the National Archives of Sweden (Riksarkivet), we are required to deposit one file copy of the application documents, excluding publications, for a period of two years after the appointment decision has gained legal force.