The candidate will join the Robotic and Machine Automation research group to support the development of robotic cells for industrial applications such as assembly and bin picking, or mobile robotic platforms dedicated to repair and inspection operations in harsh environments.
In both situations such robots are equipped with sensors like RGB/RGBD cameras, Lidar or structured light scanners to gather information from the environment they work in, for example: presence/proximity to operators, recognition of the operator’s gestures, position of the mobile agent in the space to be inspected, recognition of objects and obstacles to be avoided during navigation.
In order to solve these tasks, the candidate will have to manage the above-mentioned measuring instruments, acquire images and three-dimensional scans and process this information according to image processing, computer vision, Structure From Motion, Visual Odometry and Simultaneous Localization And Mapping algorithms.

Tasks

Development of solutions in support of:

• Data collection and context awareness for fixed and mobile robotic platforms.
• Autonomous navigation and environment mapping for mobile robotic platforms.
• Recognition of objects or people for collaborative robotics applications.

Skill development in the areas of:

• Control of production processes.
• Collaborative robotics.
• Mobile robotics.
• Optimization techniques applied to context-based human robot interaction.

Requirements

• Master in Mechanical, Mechatronics, Automation or Computer Engineering, or related field.
• Ph.D. in a related field constitutes a preferential condition.
• Experience in non-contact 2D and 3D optical measurement techniques.
• Experience in the use of instrumentation such as: cameras, stereoscopic systems, structured light systems, time-of-flight systems.
• Experience in the development of solutions to support the autonomous navigation of mobile robotic platforms: structure from motion (SFM), visual-inertial odometry, LIDAR odometry, SLAM.
• Experience in the development of solutions to support the human recognition, tracking and gesture identification.
• Good knowledge of software and libraries for image, point cloud and mesh processing such as: OpenCV, Point Cloud Library, TensorFlow, Halcon, MeshLab, Rhino
• Good knowledge of programming languages such as; C/C++/C#; Python; ROS; Matlab.
• Experience in robot dynamics and control models is preferred.
• Experience in programming industrial robots such as Fanuc, Comau and Kuka is preferred.
• Experience in writing and managing activities for European and national projects is preferred.
• Consolidated knowledge of spoken and written English and of at least two Swiss national languages is preferred.
• Strong analytical and communication (written and oral) skills.
• The ability to work effectively independently and in a team environment.
• Swiss citizenship or at least the B Permit constitute preferential condition.

We offer

• A fixed-term employment contract.
• Possibility to work in a research team composed by recognized experts in the field of automation and manufacturing along with a structured international network of cooperation.
• Possibility to work in a team developing advanced and cutting-edge technologies, AM machines and robots as well as the possibility to operate in partnerships with European and International industries in the sectors of Energy generation and Aerospace.
• Possibility to work on theoretical problems along with building prototypes and industrial solutions.
• Attractive salary, in line with Swiss standards.

Additional information

The requirements for this function are published within the “Direttive interne SUPSI” and within “Regolamento del personale SUPSI” on the following website:  www.supsi.ch/home/supsi/documenti-ufficiali.

For further information, please contact to the Head of the Automation, Robots and Machines Laboratory:
Prof.ssa Anna Valente

Applicants should submit the following documents, written in English:

• Curriculum vitae with publications list and possibly link to the thesis.
• Statement of research.
• Copy of at least three scientific papers published in International Journals or in Proceedings of International Conferences.
• List of exams and their grades obtained during the Bachelor and the Master of Science.
• List of three references (with e-mail addresses).
• Motivation letter, including a brief description of past research experience and future interests (1-2 pages).

Applications will be considered only if submitted electronically within June 30th, 2022 through  the appropriate form.

Applications that are incomplete, submitted to other addresses, or submitted beyond the deadline, will be not accepted.