Doctoral student in Computer Science with a focus on embodied learning
Ref no: ORU 2.1.1-01198/2025
Örebro University and the School of Science and Technology is offering a doctoral student position in Computer Science. The position is expected to conclude with a doctoral degree.
The doctoral student will be affiliated with the Machine Perception and Interaction Lab at Örebro University, which carries out multi-disciplinary research at the intersection of artificial intelligence, robotics, machine learning, and human-robot interaction.
Project description
The focus of the project is artificial intelligence (AI) and its relation to robotics and embodiment.
Embodiment plays a significant role in learning in AI by enabling cognitive agents to acquire actively knowledge and skills through interaction with their surrounding environment. Embodied AI requires tools, algorithms, and techniques to cope with real-world challenges including but not limited to uncertainty, physical constraints, scarce data, and high variability. In particular, there is a need for a better understanding of how embodied cognitive agents can learn to solve complex problems and adapt in dynamic real-world environments. This research direction demands developing novel techniques and algorithms that can enable effectively integrating sensorimotor information with learning algorithms, and, at the same time, leverage upon the physical characteristics of the agent. It is anticipated that curiosity driven learning and exploration will be essential for making progress towards fully autonomous agents. Therefore, the focus of the research project will be to explore how the embodied cognitive agents can learn to generate, rank, and select goals leading to autonomous behavior using their intrinsic motivation driven by a combination of curiosity and active interaction with the surrounding environment.
The successful candidate should show strong and independent problem solving and critical analysis abilities. Furthermore, the candidate should have good cooperative and communicative skills. Fluent spoken and written command of English is essential, while knowledge of Swedish is not necessary. Having courses, a thesis or publications in digital signal processing, computer vision, machine learning, AI, cognitive science, or robotics, is a merit.
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 ECTS credits, which corresponds to four years of full-time study.
Our ambition is for your doctoral studies to be stimulating and purposeful throughout the programme until you have obtained your doctoral degree. A thorough introduction will therefore get you off to a good start and provide a solid foundation on which you can build your studies. As a doctoral student at Örebro University, you will be offered a specially tailored seminar series within the subject of computer science, introduction to doctoral programme rules as well as opportunities for networking and career support during the doctoral programme.
The place on the programme is linked to a full-time doctoral studentship for the duration of the study programme. 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 31 100 a month.
The doctoral studentship is a tailored form of employment for students enrolled on a doctoral programme. It guarantees employment for the duration of the doctoral programme (given that the studies progress).
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, please refer to the admissions regulations as well as to Annex 2 (page 9-12) to the general syllabus for computer science.
Applicants meet the general entry requirements if they
- have been awarded a second-cycle qualification,
- have satisfied the requirements for courses comprising at least 240 credits, of which at least 60 credits were awarded in the second-cycle, or
- have acquired substantially equivalent knowledge in some other way in Sweden or abroad.
Applicants meet the specific entry requirements for research 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 on the second cycle, in a main field of study of relevance to the computer science field. A person who has acquired substantially corresponding knowledge, in Sweden or abroad, also meets the specific entry requirements.
Information
For more information on the programme and the role, please contact Prof. Amy Loutfi, e-mail: amy.loutfi@oru.se, and/or Dr. Denis Kleyko, e-mail: denis.kleyko@oru.se, for administrative issues please contact Dr. Martin Magnusson, e-mail: martin.magnusson@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 characterized by openness, trust, and respect. We value the qualities that diversity adds to our operations.
Application to the programme and for the doctoral studentships
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:
- CV
- Proof that you meet the general and specific entry requirements (e.g. copies of the original certificate and official transcript for bachelor's and master's degrees)
- Independent project (degree project)
- Other relevant documents, course and degree certificates verifying eligibility
- Description of research interests - explaining why you are interested in this project and why you would be a good candidate for the role (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 at out career site: https://www.oru.se/english/working-at-orebro-university/jobs-and-vacancies/applicants-and-external-experts/
The application deadline is 2025-04-07. We look forward to receiving your application!
We decline any contact with advertisers or recruitment agencies in the recruitment process.
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.
