PhD Research Fellow in Collaborative Robots (CoBots)
Deadline: 02.06.2020
University of Agder
The University of Agder has more than 1400 employees and 13 000 students. This makes us one of the largest workplaces in Southern Norway. Our staff research, teach and disseminate knowledge from a variety of academic fields. Co-creation of knowledge is our common vision. We offer a broad range of study programmes in many fields. We are situated at two modern campuses in Kristiansand and Grimstad respectively.
We are an open and inclusive university marked by a culture of cooperation. The aim of the university is to further develop education and research at a high international level.
About the position
A 100 % position is available at the University of Agder, Faculty of Engineering and Science as a PhD Research Fellow in Collaborative Robots (CoBots), affiliated to the Department of Engineering Sciences, for a period of three years, or four years with 25% required duties. The position is located, at the present, at Campus Grimstad. The starting date is negotiable with the Faculty.
Responsibilities
This position is linked to the newly established Top Research Center in Mechatronics at UiA. The ambition of the center is to contribute to the competitiveness and the sustainability within the selected Application Areas (AA): Assisted Living, Recycling (batteries), Flexible Production, Construction, and Offshore Mechatronics. To address the challenges in the selected AA, the center conducts research within the following Research Themes (RT): Machine Design, Industrial IT, Intelligent Monitoring, Robot & Vision, and Collaborative Robots.
This position is connected to the RT of Collaborative Robots (CoBots). A cobot or co-robot is a robot intended to physically interact with humans in a shared workspace. With the advent of the fourth industrial revolution (4IR), cobots are advancing from being simple stand-alone manipulators passing tools or parts to human collaborators to becoming autonomous co-workers. However, there is a gap between the desire for humans and robots to work closely together and share control of operations, and how robustly we can measure and predict human motions and intentions in physical human-robot interaction (pHRI) operations.
This position aims at fostering the development of a novel framework architecture to enable humans and machines for working hand in hand within full-inclusive environments by achieving both human-robot and robot-robot collaboration in a robust, safe and secure manner. This framework architecture shall be designed to securely integrate proactive intelligent detection approaches with predictive maintenance methods for potentially dangerous events by complementing the workspace with a combination of novel sensing technologies, highly compliant robots and wearables devices. The proposed framework shall enable researchers to develop control algorithms for cobots more safely, rapidly and efficiently.
Research topics for the PhD Research Fellow include, but are not limited to the following:
Mechatronics
Human–robot interaction
Machine learning
Sensor fusion
Working knowledge of Linux, the Robot Operating System (ROS), and multiple programming languages will be considered a crucial advantage.
Required qualifications
Master’s degree or equivalent in technology of engineering with focus on modelling and with knowledge in automatic control, mechatronics, cybernetics, computer science and/or similar fields. Applicants that will obtain a Master’s degree or equivalent within 2020 will be exceptionally accepted for evaluation.
Excellent English skills, written and spoken, are required. Applicants from some countries must document their English proficiency through an English test (TOEFL, IELTS or CEFR). Please check this website to see if an English test is required.
It is an advantage if the applicant has experience with the challenges of designing and rapid-prototyping robotic systems. Strong academic credentials and previous publications will be considered a crucial advantage.
Personal qualities
Personal suitability, good communication and teamwork skills, inventiveness, and a proactive approach, will be emphasized in the evaluation as well as relevant practical experience. The PhD Research Fellow will be expected to contribute to an active research community that promotes the personal and professional growth of the doctoral candidate.
The position places great demands on the applicant’s capacity for independent goal-oriented work, ability to concentrate and attention to detail.
In return, we offer the opportunity to contribute to the strategic capabilities of a world-class research organization, along with intensive PhD supervision. You will collaborate with top scientists in your field and have excellent prospects for personal development in an innovative working environment for aspiring researchers.
Applicants will be assessed on the basis of academic background and results, attainment, and any previous research and development work.
We offer
Professional development in a large, exciting and socially influential organisation
A positive, inclusive and diverse working environment
Modern facilities and a comprehensive set of welfare offers
The position is remunerated according to the State Salary Scale, salary plan 17.515, code 1017 PhD Research Fellow, NOK 479 600 gross salary per year. A compulsory pension contribution to the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund is deducted from the pay according to current statutory provisions.
General information
UiA is an open and inclusive university. We believe that diversity enriches the workplace and makes us better. We, therefore, encourage qualified candidates to apply for the position independent of gender, age, cultural background, disability or an incomplete CV.
Women are strongly encouraged to apply for the position.
The successful applicant will have rights and obligations in accordance with the current regulations for the position, and organisational changes and changes in the duties and responsibilities of the position must be expected. The engagement is to be made in accordance with the regulations in force concerning the acts relating to Control of the Export of Strategic Goods, Services and Technology. Appointment is made by the University of Agder’s Appointments Committee for Teaching and Research Positions.
Short-listed applicants will be invited for interview. With the applicant’s permission, UiA will also conduct a reference check before appointment. More about the employment process.
In accordance with the Freedom of Information Act § 25 (2), applicants may request that they are not identified in the open list of applicants. The University, however, reserves the right to publish the names of applicants. Applicants will be advised of the University’s intention to exercise this right.
Application
The application and any necessary information about education and experience (including diplomas and certificates) are to be sent electronically. Use the link "Apply for this job".
The following documentation must be uploaded electronically:
Certificates with grades
Master’s thesis
Minimum 3 references
Academic work and R&D projects, as well as a list of these if achieved
Project description with a maximum scope of 5 pages, including reference list. The outline should present and discuss possible research questions, theory perspectives, material, a progress plan, and methods within the given framework
The applicant is fully responsible for submitting complete digital documentation before the closing date. All documentation must be available in a Scandinavian language or English.
