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The Department of Computing Science is looking for a postdoctoral researcher in “Embodied-AI and Human-Robot-Interaction” within the WASP project, led by Assoc. Prof. Zoe Falomir. The position is full-time for two years, starting in spring 2026, or as agreed.

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Department of Computing Science

For our department, characterized by world-leading research in several fields and a breadth of internationally highly ranked educational programs, we are now looking for a postdoctoral fellow in “Embodied-AI and Human-Robot-Interaction”.

Our department conducts world-leading research in several scientific fields, and it has been growing rapidly in the recent years. An inclusive and participatory environment are key elements in our growth. The 60 doctoral students within the department are a diverse group from different nationalities, backgrounds and fields. We offer very good employment conditions, and administrative and technical support, among other benefits. See more information at:

/en/department-of-computing-science/. You will research in collaboration with the Associate Professor Zoe Falomir.

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Interested? Submit your application by Nov 30, 2025.

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Project description and working tasks

This project proposes the implementation of a cognitive agent embodied in a humanoid robot which will collaborate with a human partner or with another humanoid robot to solve a spatial problem (e.g. 3D puzzle, fold a paper). The tasks to be carried out are: (i) scene understanding: detection of objects and relations between objects, and use of these relations to infer new knowledge (i.e. reasoning); (ii) explore object affordances, learn the consequences of the actions carried out and enrich the knowledge base (i.e. learning by interaction); (iii) querying the knowledge base about what was useful in the past to predict actions that might be useful in the present, try them out and update its knowledge base (i.e. update learning). Also writing scientific papers and communicating our research advances in conferences. Methods: programming a humanoid platform using ROS2 packages, solve SLAM, use imitation learning algorithms to learn pick-and-place actions, design HRI experiments with users, evaluate data, and share the code and benchmarks in open repositories.

This postdoctoral position is funded by Wallenberg AI, Autonomous Systems and Software Program (WASP). WASP is Sweden’s largest individual research program ever, a major national initiative for strategically motivated basic research, education and faculty recruitment. Read more:

The ongoing societal transformation and large green investments in northern Sweden create enormous opportunities and complex challenges. For Umeå University, conducting research about – and in the middle of – a society in transition is key. We also take pride in delivering education to enable regions to expand quickly and sustainably.

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Qualifications

Required qualifications:

To be appointed under the postdoctoral agreement, the postdoctoral fellow is required to have completed a doctoral degree or a foreign degree deemed equivalent to a doctoral degree in Robotics, specifically programming humanoid platforms. This qualification requirement must be fulfilled no later than at the time of the appointment decision.

To be appointed under the postdoctoral agreement, priority should be given to candidates who completed their doctoral degree, according to what is stipulated in the paragraph above, no later than three years prior. If there are special reasons, candidates who completed their doctoral degree prior to that may also be eligible. Special reasons include absence due to illness, parental leave, appointments of trust in trade union organisations, military service, or similar circumstances, as well as clinical practice or other forms of appointment/assignment relevant to the subject area.

Other qualifications:

Documented expertise in the following topics of interest is a requirement:

• Programming experience in ROS2;
• Knowledge on Human-robot-interaction (Bartneck, C., Belpaeme, T., Eyssel, F., Kanda, T., Keijsers, M., & Sabanovic, S. (2024).. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.)

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It is highly meritorious if you have also:

• publications in ICRA, IROS, HRI, or similar conferences;
• experience in and (D. Vernon, , MIT Press (2014)).

Important personal qualities are, besides creativity and critical thinking, good skills in problem solving, interest in interdisciplinary research, the ability to work both independently and in a group, and experience in scientific interaction with researchers from other disciplines and in other countries. The working language in the group (and at the department) will be English.

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Application

A full application should include:

• Cover letter describing your research interests, project ideas, and contact information.
• Curriculum vitae (CV) with publication list including DOI links,
• Verified copy of doctoral degree certificate or documentation that clarifies when the degree of doctor is expected to be obtained,
• Verified copies of other diplomas, list of completed academic courses and grades,
• Copy of doctoral thesis and up to 5 relevant articles,
• Other documents that the applicant wishes to claim.
• Contact information to two people willing to act as references.

The application must be written in English or Swedish. The application is made through our electronic recruitment system. Documents sent electronically must be in Word or PDF format. Log in to the system and apply via the button at the end of this page. The closing date is 30 November 2025.