Researcher in Advanced Control Systems and Robotics - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

Job description

Control systems are a cornerstone of advanced manufacturing, enabling high-performance machine tools and industrial robots to operate with accuracy, reliability, and adaptability across a wide range of applications. As articulated robots are increasingly deployed in contact applications, such as machining, surgical procedures, and for scientific exploration the requirements on control performance grow significantly. These applications demand not only high positional accuracy under dynamic loads but also robustness to disturbances and long-term stability during autonomous operation.

 We are currently seeking a researcher with a strong background in control systems and robotics to join our team and take a leading role in the development of advanced control, calibration, and virtual environment solutions for industrial and biomedical robotic platforms. The position involves research in both model-based and data-driven control strategies, metrology and sensor integration, reliability engineering, and functional diagnostics. A key aspect of the role is the design, implementation, and validation of control architectures that improve system accuracy, efficiency, and robustness under real-world operating conditions. In addition to physical system development, the researcher will contribute to the creation of a virtual environment that supports simulation-driven design, testing of new sensor and control strategies, and optimization of robotic tasks. This environment will serve as a research and training platform, enabling safe experimentation, accelerated development, and seamless transition of validated solutions to physical robotic systems. Collaboration with academic and industrial partners is central to the role, with the overarching goal of developing innovative, reliable, and high-performance robotic solutions for demanding applications in manufacturing, healthcare, and beyond.

Key Responsibilities:

• Development of Advanced Control and Calibration Systems. Lead the design and development of mechatronic systems for the calibration and control of articulated robots, including physical and virtual environments using AI.      
• Reliability and Predictive Maintenance Methodology. Drive the further development of the reliability methodology, focusing on integrating condition monitoring and predictive maintenance capabilities into robotic systems.       
• Collaboration and Knowledge Dissemination. Collaborate with a multidisciplinary team of researchers and industrial partners to explore innovative approaches, such as Transfer Learning, to enhance robot performance.        
• Mentor and co-supervise PhD and MSc students while contributing to the academic community by writing and publishing research articles in leading scientific journals.

What we offer

• A position at a leading technical university that generates knowledge and skills for a sustainable future.
• Engaged and ambitious colleagues along with a creative, international and dynamic working environment
• Access to state-of-the-art laboratories and research facilities.
• Work in Stockholm , in close proximity to nature
• Guidance on relocating and settling in at KTH and in Sweden.

Read more about what it's like to work at KTH and our benefits.

Qualifications

Requirements

• A doctoral degree (Phd) in Production Engineering, Mechanical Engineering.       
• Expertise in reliability and performance of industrial machinery, including articulated robots and machine tool.   
• Experience in precision engineering and metrology principles, calibration and compensation.      
• Proven experience in publishing scientific research.    
• Proficiency in English, both written and spoken, because this will be a part of the daily work. 
• The candidate should be able to and feel comfortable working in cross-cultural and cross-functional teams, both locally and internationally. 

Preferred qualifications

• Previous work experience in the field of production engineering, with a focus on quality control processes.     
• Experience collaborating with industrial partners or working in international research environments.      
• Demonstrated ability to work independently as well as part of a team.    
• Strong communication and project management skills as well as teaching ability
• Knowledge in Swedish is a merit, since it is a part of the daily work.
• Knowledge of diversity and equal opportunity issues, with specific focus on gender equality 

Great emphasis will be placed on personal skills.

Trade union representatives

Contact information to trade union representatives.

To apply for the position

Log into KTH's recruitment system in order to apply for this position. You are responsible to ensure that your application is complete according to the instructions in the ad. Your complete application must be received at KTH no later than the last day of application.

The application must include:

• CV including relevant professional experience and knowledge.
• Copy of diplomas and grades from your previous university studies. Translations into English or Swedish if the original documents have not been issued in any of these languages.
• Brief account of why you want to conduct research, your academic interests and how they relate to your previous studies and future goals. Max two pages long.

Your complete application must be received by KTH no later than the last day of application, midnight CET/CEST (Central European Time/Central European Summer Time). 

About the employment

The employment is valid until further notice (permanent post) according to agreement.
The employment begins with a six-month probationary period.

Other information

Striving towards gender equality, diversity and equal conditions is both a question of quality for KTH and a given part of our values.

For information about processing of personal data in the recruitment process.

It may be the case that a position at KTH is classified as a security-sensitive role in accordance with the Protective Security Act (2018:585). If this applies to the specific position, a security clearance will be conducted for the applicant in accordance with the same law with the applicant's consent. In such cases, a prerequisite for employment is that the applicant is approved following the security clearance.

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Disclaimer: In case of discrepancy between the Swedish original and the English translation of the job announcement, the Swedish version takes precedence