项目介绍

2026年4月30日

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We are looking for a PhD student in automatic control at the Department of Electrical Engineering (ISY).

Your work assignments

We are currently looking for a PhD student to conduct research on the intersection of robotics and control theory.

Project description: This PhD project aims to develop learning‑based methods that combine expert demonstrations with experiential reinforcement learning to enable robust, data‑efficient skill acquisition. Expert data offers fast, safe, and reliable initial learning, while reinforcement learning supports systematic exploration and adaptation to new conditions. By integrating these two paradigms, the project seeks to create generalizable strategies for mobile manipulation that perform effectively across diverse real‑world scenarios. The following research directions will be followed:

• Q1: How can an agent leverage multi‑modal expert demonstrations (e.g., vision, force, proprioception) to acquire coherent and transferable mobile manipulation skills?
• Q2: How can an agent use experiential learning to control redundant degrees of freedom and handle task variations beyond those demonstrated?

The research is carried out within the ELLIIT project “Learning Robot Control from Expert Demonstrations and Self-Experience” (https://elliit.se/).

As a PhD student, you devote most of your time to doctoral studies and the research projects of which you are part. Your work may also include teaching or other departmental duties, up to a maximum of 20 per cent of full-time.

Your qualifications

You have a master’s degree in electrical engineering, engineering physics, mechanical engineering, computer engineering, robotics, engineering mathematics or have completed courses with a minimum of 240 credits, at least 60 of which must be in advanced courses within the subjects mentioned above. Alternatively, you have gained essentially corresponding knowledge in another way. The degree requirement must be met no later than at the time the employment decision is finalized, which occurs when the employment contract is signed.

We are looking for someone who is eager to learn new things and explore the unknown. Furthermore, you are detail‑oriented and have the ability to communicate clearly and effectively in English, both verbally and in writing.

In addition to this, you should also meet the following qualifications:

• A strong background in robotics and control engineering,
• Strong analytical abilities and problem‑solving skills,
• Solid programming experience (e.g., Python, C++, or similar),
• Good ability to work both independently and as part of a team,

Additional qualifications that will be considered meritorious include:

• Knowledge of machine learning, reinforcement learning, and optimization,
• Experience with multi‑modal sensor data (vision, force/torque, proprioception),
• Experience with simulation environments such as PyBullet, MuJoCo, Gazebo, or Isaac Sim.

Your workplace

The Division of Automatic Control offers a vibrant, internationally oriented research environment with a strong balance between theory and real-world applications. The division conducts high-quality research, doctoral education, and undergraduate teaching in key and rapidly evolving areas such as autonomous systems, data-driven modeling, learning-based control, optimization, complex networks, and sensor fusion.

Research at the division is characterized by close integration of methodological development and practical applications. We maintain extensive collaborations with industrial partners as well as with leading research groups worldwide, providing doctoral students with excellent opportunities for international exposure and impactful research.

As a PhD student, you will join an open, collaborative, and intellectually stimulating environment that values scientific curiosity, independence, and teamwork. More information about the division is available at: https://liu.se/en/organisation/liu/isy/rt.

For more information about working at ISY, please visit: https://liu.se/en/article/open-positions-at-isy.

The employment

When taking up the post, you will be admitted to the program for doctoral studies. More information about the doctoral studies at each faculty is available at Doctoral studies at Linköping University.

The employment has a duration of normally four years’ full-time equivalent. Extension of employment up to five years is based on the degree of teaching and institutional assignment. Further extensions may be granted in exceptional circumstances. You will initially be employed for one year, after which your employment will be renewed for a maximum of two years at a time, depending on your progress through the study plan. 

To learn more on working as a PhD student at ISY, please contact: isyphdcouncil@groups.liu.se.

Starting date by agreement, but we expect you to start your employment no later than October 31, 2026.

Background screening may be carried out before any decision on employment is made.

Salary and employment benefits

The salary of PhD students is determined according to a locally negotiated salary progression.

More information about employment benefits at Linköping University is available here.

Union representatives

Information about union representatives, see Help for applicants.

Application procedure

Apply for the position by clicking the “Apply” button below. Your application must reach Linköping University no later than May 19, 2026.

Applications and documents received after the date above will not be considered.

We welcome applicants with different backgrounds, experiences and perspectives – diversity enriches our work and helps us grow. Preserving everybody’s equal value, rights and opportunities is a natural part of who we are. Read more about our work with: Equal opportunities.