Researcher with PhD in Robotics

Researcher with PhD in Robotics

Western Norway University of Applied Sciences (HVL) has a vacancy for a 2,5-year temporary position as Researcher with PhD in Robotics

We are looking for a highly motivated and talented research fellow to be part of the HVL Robotics Research group. The position is a part of the research- and innovation centre for robotics at HVL, HVL Robotics Lab. If you are interested in human-robot interaction, robot learning, or soft robots, this position could be for you.

About the project/ work tasks

The HVL Robotics lab has a large portfolio of ongoing research projects with industry partners. The FutuRaPS project (2023-2026) financed by the Norwegian Research council and other Norwegian industrial partners aims at developing the next generation of automated raspberry production systems for Western Norway, and require development of new robotic solutions to monitor, detect and spray crops to minimize diseases. The researcher position will be an active participant in this project, and aid in developing new robotic solutions and prototypes for the project.

The HVL Robotics Lab research- and innovation centre is co-funded by Sparebanken Sogn og Fjordane, and aims at developing new methods for human-robot interaction, motion estimation, robot learning, and soft variable-stiffness robots. The researcher position will be an active participant in developing the research activities in the lab further.

The candidate will work closely with PhD-candidates, master-, and bachelor students in the lab for experimental research projects, and take part in other ongoing research projects depending on qualifications and interest. The candidate should also expect to support bachelor- and master students in labs and experiments in robotics courses given by the HVL Robotics Lab staff, and to disseminate results from ongoing research to the public.

The workplace for the position will be with the Faculty of Technology, Environmental and Social Sciences at campus Førde, but the candidate should expect to travel for field work in Sogndal and Bergen.

Starting Date: October 1st 2024.

Research environment

The researcher position will be part of the HVL Robotics Lab (https://www.hvl.no/robotics), a research and innovation centre for robotics at HVL. HVL Robotics have access to state-of-the-art research facilities at Campus Førde, and a field lab for robotic research at Campus Sogndal/Leikanger.

The computer science research environment at Western Norway University of Applied Sciences has a strong focus on use-inspired and applied research, and on ICT as an enabling technology. The research environment has cooperation with many national and international research groups, and with national and regional industry partners. The research program includes the research themes of software engineering, engineering computing, sensor networks and robotics, grid computing and physics data analysis, machine learning, and interactive and collaborative systems.

The researcher position will also be encouraged to take part in the supervision of MSc and PhD candidates. You will be part of a larger project group across robotics, machine learning and computer science, and interact with stakeholder partners of the lab and industrial partners.

Qualifications:

The applicant must hold a PhD-degree, or have submitted a doctoral dissertation for evaluation, in Robotics, Engineering Cybernetics, Automation, Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics, Computer Science or a closely related field, and have a strong emphasis on robotics. Applicants from related fields who can demonstrate relevant experience in robotics, e.g. through the topic of the PhD thesis, may also be evaluated as qualified for the position.

Applicants for the position will be ranked based on:

• Relevant research experience and high-quality publications in robotics
• Relevant industry experience in robotics
• Previous involvement in research and innovation projects with industrial partners
• The ability to carry out and publish high-quality research
• Proficiency in English

The following qualifications will be considered an advantage when applicants are ranked:

• Practical programming skills (e.g. Matlab, Python) and experience with using ROS
• Previous experience working with 3D printing and design
• Previous experience working with collaborative robots, variable-stiffness robots, or human-robot interaction
• Previous experience with experimental research and prototyping
• Previous experience in supporting relevant Bachelor, MSc and PhD projects and lab work
• Proficiency in Norwegian or another Scandinavian language
• Possibility to timely start in the position

The following characteristics of the applicant will also be considered:

• Confidence in working independently as a researcher, and in cross-disciplinary teams with industry partners
• Capacity for dissemination and ability to positively contribute to advancement of robotics research at HVL
• Potential for establishing relevant national and international research contacts
• Excellent communication skills

Applicants should explicitly address the qualification and ranking criteria listed above in their application.

About the position as Researcher with PhD in Robotics:

The candidate must hold a PhD-degree or have submitted their doctoral dissertation for evaluation within the closing date of the application. It is a condition for appointment that the dissertation is approved.

The temporary position as a researcher is a fixed term position for 2,5 years to work as a researcher in the robotics lab and on externally funded research projects. Funding for travels and expenses will be available to the candidate.

The engagement is to be made in accordance with the regulations in force concerning State Employees and Civil Servants, and the acts relating to Control of the Export of Strategic Goods, Services and Technology. Candidates who by assessment of the application and attachment are seen to conflict with the criteria in the latter law will be prohibited from recruitment to HVL.

The ability to start the position timely after the project start (1. October 2024) will be considered an advantage when candidates are ranked due to the time frame of the position and the links to ongoing research projects in the lab.

Application procedure:

Applicants are asked to submit their application and CV online. Please use the link “Apply for this job" (“Søk stillingen").

The following documentation should be uploaded as an attachment to the online application:

• A CV with a complete list of academic publications and teaching activities
• Diplomas and certificates
• Copies of selected academic publications (no more than 5)
• A copy of the PhD thesis
• Documents related to other achievements relevant to the position
• Names and contact details of 2 references (name, relation to candidate, e-mail and telephone number)

Applicants with a degree from a country other than Norway, need to attach a certified translation of the diploma and transcripts of grades to English or a Scandinavian language, in addition to the original documents, if the original is not in any of these languages. It is required that the applicant encloses a recognition document showing that their degree is equivalent to a Norwegian bachelor's degree, master's degree or PhD. You can read more about applying for recognition of foreign higher education here (http://hkdir.no/en/foreign-education/education-from-outside-of-norway/recognition-of-foreign-higher-education-bachelor-master-and-phd). The Norwegian Directorate for Higher Education and Skills (HK-dir) offers an automatic recognition document for certain degrees from selected countries. If the applicant's degree is covered by the automatic recognition, it will be sufficient to attach this document. Read more about automatic recognition here (http://hkdir.no/en/foreign-education/education-from-outside-of-norway/recognition-of-foreign-higher-education-bachelor-master-and-phd/automatic-recognition-a-quicker-alternative)

Applications will be evaluated by an expert panel of three members. Applicants should note that the evaluation will be based on the documentation submitted electronically via Jobbnorge within the submission deadline. The applicants are responsible for ensuring that all the documentation is submitted before the closing date. It is of utmost importance that all publications to be considered in the evaluation are uploaded as an attachment with the application, since these are sent electronically to the expert panel. Applications cannot be sent by e-mail or to individuals at Western Norway University of Applied Sciences.

Salary:

• Good occupational pension, insurance and loan schemes from The Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund
• Exciting academic environment with the possibility of competence enhancement and development
• Opportunities for exercise during working hours

Initial salaries will be offered at code 1109 - Researcher in the Civil Service pay grade table scale.

There is a compulsory 2 % deduction to the pension fund (see http://www.spk.no for more information). The successful applicant must comply with the guidelines that apply to the position at any time.

General information:

The appointment will be made in accordance with the regulations for State employees Law in Norway ("Lov om statens ansatte)". Organizational changes and changes in the duties and responsibilities associated with the position must be expected.

State employment shall reflect the multiplicity of the population at large to the highest possible degree. Hence, Western Norway University of Applied Sciences has adopted a personnel policy objective to ensure that we achieve a balanced age and gender composition and the recruitment of persons of various ethnic backgrounds.

Information about the applicant may be made public even though the applicant has requested not to be named in the list of applicants. The applicant will be notified if his/her request is not respected.

Short- listed applicants will be called in for an interview.

Employment on the condition of work and residence permit being granted.

Western Norway University of Applied Sciences is subjected to the regulation for export control system. The regulation will be applied in the processing of the applications.

Contact:

1) Professor and Head of HVL Robotics, Erik Kyrkjebø
Email: Erik.Kyrkjebo@hvl.no

2) Assistant head of department, Per Christian Engdal
Email: Per.Christian.Engdal@hvl.no

Inclusion, challenging norms, collaboration

Homepage (http://www.hvl.no)