Postdoc in robotics with specialization in visual domain adaptation

KTH Royal Institute of Technology, School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science

Job description

The Division of Robotics, Perception and Learning (RPL) at KTH Royal Institute of Technology invites applications for a postdoctoral researcher to lead an exciting project on visual domain adaptation for mobile robot perception, such as that of future delivery robots.

The focus of the project is on enabling mobiles robots to operate robustly in diverse real-world conditions, specifically tackling the challenge of transferring learned models from predominantly outdoor navigation to varied indoor environments for final delivery steps. A key research goal is to develop methods for fast and largely autonomous domain adaptation, with minimal human supervision. To this end, the project will explore the use of modern open-set vision models, the cloud computing infrastructure at Ericsson, as well as our robotics infrastructure, allowing for scalable, data-driven adaptation that can happen in hours rather than days. Experiments will be carried out with our Spot robot from Boston Dynamics, and there will be research engineer resources attached to the project to aid with these.

The postdoc will:

• Lead the research and development of domain adaptation methods for perception and navigation.
• Work in close collaboration with both academic researchers at RPL and industrial research team at Ericsson.
• Oversee experimental work on the Spot robot, with support from a part-time research engineer to facilitate practical deployments and data collection.

We are looking for candidates with a strong background in robotics, machine learning (preferably domain adaptation, sim2real, or representation learning), and experience with real robotic systems.

The position offers a unique opportunity to drive high-impact research at the intersection of academia and industry, with access to state-of-the-art robotic platforms and a rich collaborative environment.

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
• Work in Stockholm, in close proximity to nature
•  Guidance on relocating and settling in KTH and in Sweden 
• Close collaboration with Ericsson research

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

Qualifications

Requirements

• A doctoral degree or an equivalent foreign degree. This eligibility requirement must be met no later than the time the employment decision is made.
• Very good programming skills in Python and using ML-frameworks (such as PyTorch).
• Strong expertise in machine learning applied to computer vision or robotic perception.
• Experience writing reusable and maintainable code for others to use.
• As a person, you have research expertise, independent and have the ability to collaborate.

Preferred qualifications

• A doctoral degree or an equivalent foreign degree, obtained within the last three years prior to the application deadline
• Strong C++ skills.
• Practical experience working with robots.
• We prefer that you have pedagogical abilities.
• It is commendable if you Awareness 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 to apply for this position. You are responsible for ensuring that your application is complete according to the instructions in the ad.

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. Maximally two pages long.

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

About the employment

The position offered is for, at the most, two years.

A position as a postdoctoral fellow is a time-limited qualified appointment focusing mainly on research, intended as a first career step after a dissertation.

Others

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.

About KTH

KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm has grown to become one of Europe’s leading technical and engineering universities, as well as a key centre of intellectual talent and innovation. We are Sweden’s largest technical research and learning institution and home to students, researchers and faculty from around the world. Our research and education covers a wide area including natural sciences and all branches of engineering, as well as architecture, industrial management, urban planning, history and philosophy. Read more here

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Type of employment

Temporary position

Contract type

Full time

Full-time equivalent

100%

First day of employment

July 1 or according to agreement

Salary

Monthly salary

Number of positions

1

Location

Stockholm

County

Stockholms län

Country

Sweden

Reference number

PA-2025-1230

Published

23.Apr.2025

Last application date

15.May.2025

Contact

Patric Jensfelt, patrickth.se

Olov Andersson, olovandkth.se