PhD stipend in Safe Learning Based Multi-Robot Planning and Control under Connectivity Constraints

In electronic engineering, Aalborg University is known worldwide for its high academic quality and societal impact. The Department of Electronic Systems employs more than 200 people, of which about 90 are PhD students, and about 40 % of all employees are internationals. In total, it has more than 600 students in its BSc and MSc programs, which are based on AAU's problem-based learning model. The department leverages its unique research infrastructure and lab facilities to conduct world-leading fundamental and applied research within communication, networks, control systems, AI, sound, cyber security, and robotics. The department plays an active role in transferring inventions and results into applications in close collaboration with industrial partners worldwide. You can read more about the department at www.es.aau.dk.

Description of the position

How can a team of autonomous robots operate safely and make progress when communication deteriorates, the environment is only partially known, and the team must continually reorganise? This PhD position addresses this challenge through research on safe and resilient planning, control, and coordination of heterogeneous robotic systems in demanding underground environments. The position combines scientific research with substantial hands-on engineering. You will develop and analyse new algorithms, implement robotic software, build realistic simulation and digital-twin environments, and carry out systematic experiments with physical robot platforms. We are looking for a researcher who enjoys connecting mathematical ideas to reliable real-world robotic systems.

Description of the project

The ROX6G EU Horizon project aims to develop autonomous robotic systems for exploring and collecting data in hazardous, poorly documented underground mines. Its heterogeneous robot teams combine exploration, mapping, sensing, and sampling with mobile, multi-hop 5G/6G connectivity. Because robots also act as communication nodes, they must adapt their movement and team roles to sustain communication without relying on fixed infrastructure installed throughout the mine. The project is coordinated by AAU. In addition, within ROX6G, AAU leads the activities on learning based multi-robot coordination and reconfiguration for connectivity preservation and on digital-twin generation and multimodal visualisation.

The PhD candidate will contribute to both activities, collaborating with international partners across robotics, communications, sensing, and geological modelling. The main core of the PhD will focus on developing theoretical, algorithmic, and real-time implementation framework for on the fly autonomy of multi-robot control systems in uncertain and limited environments. In addition, methods will be evaluated through simulation, laboratory experiments, and project-level system integration and validation, with attention to safety, connectivity, and practical mission performance.

Your work tasks

The PhD fellow will be responsible for:

• Conducting research on safe and resilient learning based planning, control, and coordination of multi-robot systems operating under constraints and uncertainty.
• Actively contributing to the formulation and refinement of research questions within the doctoral project.
• Taking an active role in planning, implementing, and, when necessary, adapting the research plan.
• Designing, implementing, and evaluating the developed algorithms in realistic robotic simulation environments and on physical robotic platforms.
• Contributing to the development and implementation of digital twins by integrating robotic sensor data, to support real-time visualization, monitoring, and autonomous decision-making.
• Publishing research results in leading international journals and conferences, and presenting findings at project meetings and international scientific venues.

Your competencies

The successful candidate will hold a Master’s degree in Robotics, Electrical Engineering, Control Engineering, Computer Science, or a closely related field, with a strong foundation in robotics, autonomous systems, planning, and/or control theory. We particularly value strong programming skills in Python and/or C++, familiarity with robotic software frameworks such as ROS/ROS 2, and demonstrated ability to implement, integrate, test, and troubleshoot robotic systems. Motivation for hands-on work with physical robot platforms, sensors, simulation, and experimental setups is important for this position.

Experience with one or more of the following areas will be an advantage: multi-robot systems and graph-based coordination; safety-critical, robust, or optimisation-based control; autonomous navigation, localisation, simultaneous localisation and mapping (SLAM), or sensor fusion; simulation and digital-twin development using tools such as Gazebo, Isaac Sim, or Webots. Experience with data processing and visualisation, real-time robotic experiments, and research publications will also be considered positively. Applicants are not expected to have expertise in all these areas, but should be willing to learn and work across disciplines. You should be able to work independently and collaboratively in an international research environment, approach technical challenges in a structured and self-driven manner, and communicate clearly in written and spoken English.

Qualification requirements

PhD stipends are allocated to individuals who hold a Master's degree. PhD stipends are normally for a period of 3 years. It is a prerequisite for allocation of the stipend that the candidate will be enrolled as a PhD student at the Technical Doctoral School of IT and Design in accordance with the regulations of Ministerial Order No. 1039 of August 27, 2013 on the PhD Programme at the Universities and Certain Higher Artistic Educational Institutions. According to the Ministerial Order, the progress of the PhD student shall be assessed at regular points in time.

Who we are

The Department of Electronic Systems at Aalborg University (AAU) conducts internationally recognised research and education across digital technologies, including robotics, AI, control systems, communications, sound, and cybersecurity. Within the department, the Advanced Robotics & AI research group advances self-learning autonomous robotic systems for reliable operation in extreme environments. Our research strengthens robotic autonomy and resilience, enabling systems to operate safely and with minimal supervision in challenging settings.

How to apply

Your application must include the following:

• Application, stating reasons for applying and qualifications in relation to the position
• Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• Diplomas (bachelor's and master's degree diploma, including grades)
• Master thesis and/or relevant publications, if any
• Other relevant documents (e.g. one or two recommendation letters)

The application must be submitted via Aalborg University’s recruitment system, which can be accessed under the job advertisement on Aalborg University's website.

Aalborg University wants to reflect the surrounding society and has diversity as a core value. Therefore, everyone, regardless of personal background and orientation, is encouraged to apply for the position.

Do you have any questions?

If you have any questions about the position, you are more than welcome to contact us. You will find contact persons at the bottom of the jobpost.

Further information

Read more about our recruitment process here.

The assessment of candidates for the position will be carried out by qualified experts.

Shortlisting will be applied. This means that after the application deadline, the head of the department, with the assistance of the hiring committee, will select the applicants to be assessed. All applicants will be informed whether they have been shortlisted for assessment or not.

The hiring process at Aalborg University may include a risk assessment as a tool to identify potential risks associated with new hires, ensuring the safety, compliance, and integrity of the workplace.

Read more about The Technical Doctoral School of IT and Design

Salary and terms of employment

The employment is in accordance with the Ministerial Order on the Appointment of Academic Staff at Universities and the Ministerial Order on Job Structure for Academic Staff at Universities. Furthermore, your terms of employment and salary are in accordance with the collective agreement between the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations and the state (AC collective agreement).

You can find information about the salary and salary structure for the position in the Salary Overview for Recruitment - Scientific positions (VIP. Please refer to the introductory section of the page and the section entitled “PhD Fellow”.

Where to apply

https://aau.varbi.com/en/what:job/jobID:981852/type:job/where:39/apply:1