Postdoc in Industrial Application of Humanoid Robots

Are you interested in helping shape how humanoid robots will be used in future industrial production? We are looking for a postdoctoral researcher who wants to work at the intersection of robotics, production, and industrial transformation .

The position is part of the new interdisciplinary research project at Chalmers University of Technology. The project brings together researchers from several departments and disciplines and aims to move humanoid robots beyond laboratory demonstrations towards becoming flexible and resilient participants in real industrial production systems.

The postdoctoral researcher will be a key member of the interdisciplinary project team and contribute to bridging the gap between advances in humanoid robotics and the requirements of industrial production.

About us

The position offers an opportunity to work in a highly interdisciplinary research environment at Chalmers. The core research team brings together expertise in production systems, materials handling, humanoid robotics, physical intelligence, robot control and manipulation, digital representations of production systems, and organisational aspects of industrial automation.

The project is led by four senior researchers, representing the divisions of Supply and Operations Management , Production Systems , Dynamics , and Systems and Control – in turn belonging to the three departments of Technology Management and Economics , Mechanical Engineering , and Electrical Engineering .

About the research project

Humanoid robotics is developing rapidly, with major technological advances in perception, manipulation, control and AI. Our project takes an application-oriented perspective. Rather than viewing the humanoid robot as an isolated piece of technology, we study it as a new type of participant in the production system, interacting with people, work tasks, production and logistics processes, control architectures and organisational structures. The aim is to understand not only what humanoid robots can do , but where and how they can create value in industry and what is required for their successful implementation .

The research will combine laboratory experiments with industrial use cases. Potential applications include machine tending, kitting, line replenishment and mixed-object handling. The project will make use of lab facilities at Chalmers and two humanoid robots available within the participating departments. In cooperation with the partner companies, the industrial use-cases will progress from analysis of industrial processes and needs.

Who we are looking for

To qualify for the position, you must have a doctoral degree in a relevant field, for example:

• production engineering,

• industrial engineering,

• production logistics,

• manufacturing systems,

• robotics,

• automation,

• human-robot interaction,

• computer science

• industrial digitalisation,

• mathematics,

• physics,

• or another field relevant to the research project.

There is no single background required to succeed in this role, but we  particularly value candidates who can bridge technology and industrial application. A suitable candidate could therefore come either from a production background with substantial knowledge of automation and robotics, or from a robotics/automation background with a strong interest in industrial production systems and implementation.

You should have

• demonstrated ability to conduct independent scientific research;

• experience with empirical and/or experimental research;

• a background in robotics, machine learning, and control;

• proficiency in programming (C++, Python) and experience with ROS2;

• practical experience in real hardware and simulation-based implementations

• strong analytical skills;

• an ability to collaborate with researchers from different academic disciplines and with industrial practitioners;

• fluency in both written and spoken English; and

• a strong publication record relative to career stage.

What you will do

This position offers a particularly strong opportunity for a researcher who wants to work where rapidly developing robotics technology meets the realities of industrial production. You will have the opportunity to:

• work hands-on with emerging humanoid robotics technology;

• conduct research in both laboratory and industrial settings;

• collaborate across several research disciplines at Chalmers;

• work closely with international industrial companies;

• contribute to demonstrators as well as scientific publications; and

• help establish a longer-term research environment for industrial humanoid robotics at Chalmers.

As postdoctoral researcher, you will play a central role in connecting the different research perspectives within the project and in translating advances in humanoid robotics into industrially relevant applications. Depending on your background, expertise, and research interests, your work will include several   of the following activities. You are not expected to focus equally on all areas:

• Identifying and analyzing industrial tasks and processes suitable for humanoid robotics.

• Developing methods and requirements for evaluating humanoid robots in production and logistics environments.

• Planning and conducting laboratory and industrial studies of humanoid robot applications.

• Contributing to the design and evaluation of industrial use cases together with project partners.

• Analysing how humanoid robots interact with existing production systems, material flows, automation and human workers.

• Implementation of robot control algorithms using simulation and real humanoid robots to accomplish target production-oriented tasks.

• Evaluating performance in dimensions such as productivity, robustness, safety, flexibility, human factors, implementation effort and environmental implications.

• Publishing results in high-quality international scientific journals and conferences.

• Communicating research results to industrial partners and the broader research community.

• Supervise master’s and/or PhD students to a certain extent.

• Possibility to engage in teaching at undergraduate/master’s level

The position is meritorious for future roles in academia, industry, or the public sector.

Contract terms

The position is a temporary full-time employment for two years.

The position requires physical presence throughout the entire employment. A valid residence permit must be presented by the start date, otherwise the offer may be withdrawn.

What we offer

• As a postdoc at Chalmers, you are an employee and enjoy all employee benefits. Read more about working at Chalmers and our benefits for employees.

• A dynamic and inspiring working environment in the coastal city of Gothenburg .

• Read more about Sweden’s generous parental leave, subsidized day care, free schools, healthcare etc at Move To Gothenburg.

Chalmers is dedicated to improving gender balance and actively works with equality projects, such as the GENIE Initiative for gender equality and excellence . We celebrate diversity and consider equality and inclusion as fundamental aspects of all our activities.

If Swedish is not your native language, Chalmers offers Swedish courses to help you settle in.

Application procedure

The application should be written in English be attached as PDF-files, as below. Maximum size for each file is 40 MB. Please note that the system does not support Zip files.

CV

• A comprehensive CV, including a complete list of publications.

• Details of previous teaching and pedagogical experience.

Personal letter

• A brief introduction about yourself.

• A summary of your previous research fields and key research outcomes.

• An outline of your future goals and research focus.

Use the button at the foot of the page to reach the application form.

A background check may be conducted as part of the application process.

Please note: The applicant is responsible for ensuring that the application is complete. Incomplete applications and applications sent by email will not be considered. Contact details to references will be requested after the interview.

We welcome your application no later than November 30, 2026.

For questions, please contact

Robin Hanson, associate professor

Division of Supply and Operations Management Department of Technology Management and Economics Chalmers University of Technology robin.hanson@chalmers.se

Shivesh Kumar, assistant professor

Division of Dynamics Department of Mechanical Engineering Chalmers University of Technology shivesh.kumar@chalmers.se

Björn Johansson, full professor

Division of Production Systems Department of Mechanical Engineering Chalmers University of Technology bjorn.johansson@chalmers.se

Yasemin Bekiroglu, associate professor

Division of Systems and Control Department of Electrical Engineering Chalmers University of Technology yaseminb@chalmers.se

We look forward to your application!

*** Chalmers declines to consider all offers of further announcement publishing or other types of support for the recruiting process in connection with this position.  ***

Chalmers University of Technology in Gothenburg conducts research and education in technology and natural sciences at a high international level. The university has 3100 employees and 10,000 students, and offers education in engineering, science, shipping and architecture. With scientific excellence as a basis, Chalmers promotes knowledge and technical solutions for a sustainable world. Through global commitment and entrepreneurship, we foster an innovative spirit, in close collaboration with wider society. Chalmers was founded in 1829 and has the same motto today as it did then: Avancez – forward.