Reliable state estimation and perception play imperative roles in reaching high-performance autonomy for intelligent mobile systems. Recent advances in sensor technologies have provided enormous possibilities and challenges ranging from hardware utility to information processing. Meanwhile, intelligent mobile systems have been deployed to extensive application scenarios that are safety- and performance-critical, such as autonomous driving, smart factory/health/agriculture/forestry, etc.

In this PhD project, we investigate novel methodologies for state estimation and perception using multimodal sensors in mobile robotics. Towards agile sensing and inference, a series of original studies will be conducted based on uncertainty-aware kino-dynamic modeling and statistical machine learning. We put equal emphasis on developing universally adaptive theories and sensory-specific methods. Through system-level developments, the theoretic-based contributions will be validated in the real world in a performance-oriented manner. Further, the resulting estimation and perception schemes are anticipated to be coupled with motion planning and locomotion. We allow tailored topics with considerations on the candidate’s research interests and skill sets.

The objective of the temporary position is the production of a number of research articles in peer-reviewed scientific journals and conference proceedings, which together will form the basis of a thesis leading to a PhD degree (Dr) at the University of Groningen.

Organisation
Founded in 1614, the University of Groningen enjoys an international reputation as a dynamic and innovative institution of higher education offering high-quality teaching and research. Flexible study programmes and academic career opportunities in a wide variety of disciplines encourage the 34,000 students and researchers alike to develop their own individual talents. As one of the best research universities in Europe, the University of Groningen has joined forces with other top universities and networks worldwide to become a truly global centre of knowledge.

Within the Faculty of Science and Engineering, a 4-year PhD position is available at the Bernoulli Institute for Mathematics, Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence with the topic in multisensory autonomy for intelligent mobile systems. The candidate would become a member of the Intelligent Systems Group of the Computer Science Department and will be supervised by Dr Kailai Li within his team working on Agile Sensing and Intelligence (https://asig-x.github.io/)

The successful candidate should

- have a Master’s degree in computer science, mechatronics, electrical engineering, engineering physics, applied mathematics, or similar from an internationally visible university with excellent academic results
- be willing to devote great dedication to curiosity-driven research and be a good team player
- be excellent at both oral and written communication in English (an English IELTS or TOEFL test . IELTS: a minimum overall score of 6,5 and a minimum score of 6 on parts. TOEFL: a minimum score of at least 92 on the internet based test, as well as a minimum score of at least 79 on the parts). You are exempted from proving proficiency in English, if you are a native English speaker, or have completed a secondary education (HAVO or VWO certificate) in the Netherlands or a Bachelor's or Master's degree fully taught in English, according to FSE Graduate School: https://www.rug.nl/education/phd-programmes/prospective/phd-positions/
- have solid knowledge in and be happy to work on mathematics, especially probability theories, linear algebra and nonlinear optimization
- have solid programming skills in C++ and a scripting language, such as MATLAB or Python
- be happy to deal with both hardware and software prototyping
- preferably have a knowledge background in sensor fusion, control engineering, robotics, and hands-on experience with developing real-time systems in ROS/ROS2 using sensors such as camera, LiDAR, IMU, radar, etc.

Fixed-term contract: 48 months.

We offer you, following the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities:

- a salary of € 2,770 gross per month in the first year, up to a maximum of € 3,539 gross per month in the fourth and final year for a full-time working week
- a holiday allowance of 8% gross annual income and an 8.3% year-end bonus
- a full-time position (1.0 FTE). The successful candidate will first be offered a temporary position of one year with the option of renewal for another three years. Prolongation of the contract is contingent on sufficient progress in the first year to indicate that a successful completion of the PhD thesis within the next three years is to be expected. A PhD training programme is part of the agreement and the successful candidate will be enrolled in the Graduate School of Science and Engineering.