Doctoral Student in Autonomous Systems (Planning and Control for Autonomous Systems) KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Sweden

The Department of Robotics, Perception and Learning (RPL) at KTH Royal Institute of Technology invites applications for a doctoral student position in Autonomous Systems. This project, funded by the Wallenberg AI, Autonomous Systems and Software Program (WASP), focuses on the development of advanced planning and control techniques for autonomous systems. The research aims to create specification formalisms and formal synthesis algorithms that enable reasoning about autonomous system behavior over extended time horizons, with implementation and evaluation in robot testbeds.

The doctoral student will join Jana Tumova’s research group, which specializes in designing planning, decision making, and control algorithms to ensure safe, purposeful, and trustworthy autonomous behavior. The group leverages formal methods-inspired techniques for rigorous specification of goals, constraints, and preferences, and automated synthesis of plans, policies, and controllers with performance guarantees. Applications span autonomous driving, UAV exploration, and navigation in dynamic environments.

The position is part of the WASP graduate school, offering a collaborative and interdisciplinary research environment. KTH is a leading international technical university, committed to advancing sustainable society through education, research, and innovation. The university provides excellent working conditions, creative and dynamic environments, and attractive employee benefits.

Eligibility: Applicants must have a second cycle degree (master's or equivalent), or at least 240 higher education credits (with at least 60 at second-cycle level), or equivalent knowledge. English proficiency equivalent to English B/6 is mandatory. Candidates should be goal-oriented, able to work independently and collaboratively, have a professional approach, analyze and work with complex issues, program software, and demonstrate knowledge or willingness to work in autonomous systems, robotics, planning, control, or formal methods.

Funding: The position offers full-time employment for up to four years, with a monthly salary according to KTH's doctoral student salary agreement. Employee benefits and a workplace are provided.

Application Process: Applications must be submitted through KTH's recruitment system. Required documents include certified copies of diplomas and grades, proof of language requirements, CV, application letter (max 1 page), and 1-3 representative publications or technical reports (with summary and web link if lengthy; summarize own contribution if co-authored). Applications must be received by midnight CET on the deadline date.

Start Date: September 1, 2026, or according to agreement.

For further information, please refer to the official job advertisement and KTH's doctoral studies page. Join KTH to contribute to cutting-edge research in autonomous systems and be part of a vibrant academic community in Stockholm, Sweden.