Shahab Heshmati-Alamdari

Aalborg University’s Department of Electronic Systems is offering a fully funded PhD stipend in Safe Learning-Based Control for Autonomous Robots in Dynamic Environments, starting March 1, 2026 or as soon as possible thereafter. The position is based in Aalborg at the Automation and Control Section, within a globally recognized department known for its high academic standards and societal impact. The department hosts over 200 staff, including 90 PhD students, and is highly international, fostering a collaborative and innovative research environment. This PhD project aims to develop next-generation learning-based decision-making and control strategies for autonomous robots operating safely in dynamic, crowded environments. The research will focus on integrating data-driven autonomy with formal safety guarantees, enabling robots to anticipate, interpret, and respond to human movement and interactions. The project moves beyond rule-based behaviors by leveraging online learning and adaptation, with the goal of improving both safety and pedestrian comfort in complex crowd scenarios. As a PhD candidate, you will contribute to the development of theoretical, algorithmic, and real-time implementation frameworks for autonomous navigation in crowds. Your work will involve adapting to unpredictable human interactions, providing guarantees for safety, performance, and comfort, and implementing solutions in robot simulation environments such as ROS/Gazebo or Isaac Sim. Experimental validation will be conducted using highly sensorised mobile robotic platforms in laboratory settings. The position is hosted within the Advanced Robotics & AI research group, which advances self-learning autonomous robotic systems for reliable operation in extreme environments. You will be part of strong national and international research activities, collaborating closely with public and private stakeholders and partner universities. Applicants must hold a Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Robotics, Control Theory, Computer Science, or a closely related field, with a solid background in robotics, autonomous systems, and/or control theory. Required skills include programming in Python and/or C++, and experience with robotics software frameworks such as ROS/ROS 2. Excellent written and spoken English skills are essential. Additional experience with safety-critical systems, multi-agent autonomy, learning-based/data-driven/robust/adaptive control under uncertainty, strong mathematical foundations, hands-on robotics experiments, and prior publications in robotics or control venues will be considered advantageous. The PhD stipend is for a period of 3 years, with salary and employment terms governed by the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations and the state (AC collective agreement). The successful candidate will be enrolled at the Technical Doctoral School of IT and Design, and progress will be regularly assessed according to Danish ministerial regulations. To apply, submit your application via Aalborg University’s recruitment system, including a motivation letter, CV, diplomas, master’s thesis or relevant publications, 1-2 letters of recommendation (optional), and other relevant documents. The university values diversity and encourages all qualified candidates to apply. For questions, contact Associate Professor Shahab Heshmati-Alamdari at [email protected] or Lisbeth Diinhoff at [email protected] For more information, visit Department of Electronic Systems and application link .

The Department of Electronic Systems at Aalborg University invites applications for a PhD stipend focused on Safe Learning-Based Control for Autonomous Robots in Dynamic Environments. This position is part of the Electrical and Electronic Engineering study programme and is based in Aalborg at the Automation and Control Section. Aalborg University is internationally recognised for its high academic quality and societal impact, particularly in electronic engineering, robotics, AI, and control systems. The department employs over 200 staff, including about 90 PhD students, and maintains a diverse, international environment. Research at the department spans communication, networks, control systems, AI, sound, cyber security, and robotics, with strong collaborations with industrial partners worldwide. The Advanced Robotics & AI research group advances self-learning autonomous robotic systems for reliable operation in extreme environments, strengthening robotic autonomy and resilience. This PhD project aims to develop novel strategies for safe and adaptive navigation of autonomous mobile robots in dynamic human environments. The central goal is to enable robots to anticipate, interpret, and respond to human movement and interactions, improving safety and pedestrian comfort in complex crowd scenarios. The research integrates online learning and adaptation with formal safety guarantees, moving beyond rule-based behaviours. The project will deliver theoretical, algorithmic, and real-time implementation frameworks for on-the-fly autonomy in crowds, adapting to unpredictable human interactions and providing guarantees for safety, performance, and comfort. Methods will be implemented and evaluated in robot simulation environments (such as ROS/Gazebo, Isaac Sim) and validated through proof-of-concept experiments using sensorised mobile robotic platforms. The PhD candidate will conduct research in real-time safe learning and control of autonomous robotic systems, contribute to research question formulation, plan and adapt the research plan, and publish results in top-tier journals and conferences. The candidate will work both independently and collaboratively in an international research environment, engaging with public and private stakeholders. Applicants must hold a Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Robotics, Control Theory, Computer Science, or a closely related field, with a solid background in robotics, autonomous systems, and/or control theory. Programming skills in Python and/or C++ and experience with robotics software frameworks (ROS/ROS 2) are required. Excellent English communication skills are essential. Experience with safety-critical systems, multi-agent autonomy, learning-based/data-driven/robust/adaptive control under uncertainty, strong mathematical foundations, hands-on robotics experiments, and prior publications in robotics or control venues are advantageous. PhD stipends are normally for a period of 3 years and require enrollment at the Technical Doctoral School of IT and Design. Salary and terms of employment follow the Danish AC collective agreement. The department offers a collaborative and supportive research environment, with access to unique research infrastructure and lab facilities. To apply, submit your application via Aalborg University’s recruitment system, including your application letter, CV, diplomas, master’s thesis or relevant publications, and 1-2 letters of recommendation (optional). The university values diversity and encourages applications from all backgrounds. For questions, contact Associate Professor Shahab Heshmati-Alamdari at [email protected]. Join Aalborg University and help shape the future of safe autonomous systems through world-class research and innovation.