PhD student in optimal motion planning for drone swarms

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The Division of Automatic Control is now seeking a PhD student to work in the new national Center for Heterogeneous Adaptive Swarm Systems (CHASS) funded by the Swedish Foundation for Strategic Research (SSF) at the Department of Electrical Engineering (ISY).

Your work assignments

The multidisciplinary center for heterogeneous adaptive swarm systems (CHASS) is a national effort funded by the Swedish Strategic Research Foundation (SSF) to bring together leading researchers in AI, autonomous systems, robotics, and swarm intelligence to develop novel solutions for autonomous heterogeneous swarm systems for the benefit of Swedish industry and society. The vision is to make Sweden a leader in intelligent, adaptive, and trustworthy swarm systems by pioneering autonomous heterogeneous collectives of space, aerial, ground, surface, and underwater platforms that can operate as a unified intelligent entity with minimal human intervention. The research program focuses on six key themes: Drone Design, Adaptation, & Production; Perception, Sensing, & Communication; Autonomy, Localization, Mapping & Navigation; Coordination, Self-Governance, & Self-Improvement; Human Swarm Interaction; and Swarm-based Services & Socio-Technical Aspects. The PhD position in this announcement focuses on the research theme Autonomy, Localization, Mapping & Navigation.

CHASS will drive world-class research in autonomous swarm systems through a strong, stimulating, and well-connected international research environment. Research outcomes will be validated in real-world scenarios with industry and public-sector partners. CHASS will also serve as a national hub for autonomous swarm systems, promoting education, knowledge sharing, innovation, and policy development.

The position focuses on uncertainty-aware, optimization-based motion planning at the control and planning layer. You will develop scalable trajectory optimization and real-time Model Predictive Control (MPC) strategies that use the swarm’s belief state to ensure safety, maximizing information gain, and achieving reliable goal completion. Working within a collaborative and cross-disciplinary consortium, you will help bridge the gap between high-level swarm autonomy and robust physical motion execution in demanding GNSS-denied environments, such as those encountered in search-and-rescue and environmental surveillance.

Collaboration across areas within the center is strongly encouraged. 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 been awarded a degree at advanced level in Electrical Engineering, Engineering Physics, Computer Science, Engineering Mathematics, or have completed courses totaling at least 240 higher education credits, of which at least 60 higher education credits are at advanced level as specified above, or have otherwise acquired essentially equivalent knowledge. The degree requirement must be fulfilled no later than the time when the decision on employment is made, i.e., when the employment contract is signed.

We are looking for someone who works purposefully, takes responsibility for their tasks, and maintains high quality in their work. You take initiative, are self-reliant, and have strong analytical skills with a scientific approach. Furthermore, you should have the ability to place your research in a broader context and relate your work to the overall goals of the project and the subject area. You work in a structured manner and can prioritize among tasks. This position also requires the ability to communicate your message clearly, both in academic settings and in collaboration with others. As our operations are conducted in an international environment, you must also have a good ability to communicate in English, both orally and in writing.

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 you are expected to start the position no later than February 15, 2027.

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 November 23, 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 .

We look forward to receiving your application!

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