Industrial PhD Student in Guardrails and Verified Planning & Control for AI-Based Autonomous Driving

SCANIA Aktiebolag; Södertälje kommun; On-site; SEK 520,000 - 640,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health center

Wellness allowance

Bonus

Flexible working hours

Company car leasing

Direct Scania Job express buses to Sö?

Job summary

TRATON Group R&D in Södertälje, Sweden, seeks a motivated Industrial PhD Student for a joint research initiative with KTH. The project focuses on safety assurance for AI-based autonomous driving systems in heavy-duty vehicles, exploring Guardrails and Verified Planning and Control methods to support near-term ADAS and future automation.

You will work with experts in autonomous driving, control theory, optimization, and machine learning, publish results, and participate in courses and workshops

Qualifications

• Master's degree in a relevant technical field.
• Strong mathematical foundations and proven programming skills.
• Fluent in English; interest in autonomous systems, control, safety, AI-based vehicle architectures.

Responsibilities

• Conduct doctoral research on safety assurance methods for AI-based autonomous driving systems.
• Develop methods to ensure AI-generated driving behavior is safe, feasible, and predictable for heavy-duty vehicles.
• Design, implement, and evaluate algorithms using simulation, scenario-based testing, and industrial toolchains.
• Collaborate with TRATON Group R&D and KTH researchers and engineers.
• Publish scientific results at leading conferences and journals.
• Participate in doctoral courses, seminars, workshops, and the autonomous systems research community.

Skills

Python

C++

MATLAB/Simulink

Machine learning

ROS

Control theory

Education

Master's degree in a relevant technical field

Tools

ROS

MATLAB/Simulink

Job description

TRATON is a group of strong brands with a shared mission: transforming transportation together to create the future of sustainable transport solutions. Within TRATON, we include MAN, Scania, Volkswagen Truck & Bus, and International. As part of a global team of industry experts, you get to think bigger, experience more, and reach further. Together, we have the power to transform transportation - Let´s make a difference together. Find out more: www.traton.com

Our values - customer first, respect, team spirit, responsibility, and elimination of waste - are at the heart of everything we do.

Role Summary

This role is a part of TRATON Group R&D, located in Södertälje, Sweden. We are looking for a motivated candidate for the position of Industrial PhD Student in a joint research initiative between TRATON Group R&D and KTH. The doctoral work will be academically supervised by Professor Karl H. Johansson and Professor Jonas Mårtensson at KTH, in close collaboration with TRATON Group R&D. The project focuses on safety assurance for AI-based autonomous driving systems in heavy-duty vehicle applications. AI-based driving architectures can generate high-quality nominal driving behavior, but they also require independent safety mechanisms that ensure the executed motion remains safe, feasible, and predictable under uncertainty. The PhD project will investigate Guardrails and Verified Planning and Control methods for heavy-duty vehicles, with the aim of supporting near-term ADAS applications while building foundations for higher levels of automation. The work combines autonomous driving, control theory, optimization, machine learning, safety assurance, and heavy-duty vehicle engineering.

Job Responsibilities

• Conduct doctoral research on safety assurance methods for AI-based autonomous driving systems.
• Develop and research methods that help ensure AI-generated driving behavior remains safe, feasible, and predictable for heavy-duty vehicles.
• Design, implement, and evaluate algorithms using simulation, scenario-based testing, and relevant industrial toolchains.
• Collaborate closely with researchers and engineers from TRATON Group R&D and KTH.
• Publish scientific results at leading conferences and in journals.
• Participate in doctoral courses, seminars, workshops, and the broader autonomous systems research community.

Who You Are

You hold a Master's degree in a relevant technical field, with strong mathematical foundations, proven programming skills, and a clear interest in autonomous systems, control, safety, and AI-based vehicle architectures.

You are self-motivated and analytical, and able to work both independently and in teams. You enjoy applied research and are motivated by developing rigorous methods that can be evaluated in realistic industrial settings. You communicate complex ideas clearly and are fluent in English.

Experience with several of the following is beneficial:

• Programming and software development in Python, C++, or MATLAB/Simulink.
• Machine learning, motion planning and control, optimization, or safety assurance methods.
• Vehicle modeling or modeling of complex systems.
• Autonomous vehicles, ADAS, or intelligent transportation systems.
• ROS or other robotics middleware.
• Scientific writing, peer-reviewed publications, or research project experience.

We welcome applicants from all backgrounds - your unique experience and perspectives is valuable to us.

This Is Us

We are a 450-person department developing advanced driver assistance systems and Level 4 autonomous driving. About 100 specialists work on sensing technologies, while our 15-person unit focuses on software-from sensor fusion to controlling vehicle actions-building systems that improve safety and automation.

Me as a manager

As a manager, I focus on empowering people rather than using a top-down or directive approach. I prioritize team development and well-being, trusting that with the right support and growth opportunities, individuals will find their own ways to contribute, while stepping in only when needed. - Jon Andersson, Unit Head

Within TRATON Group R&D, you are an important part of something bigger. Joining us means gaining access to the ins and outs of the entire transportation industry.

TRATON Offers

We offer a dynamic and engaging workplace where collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement are part of everyday life. You will be part of a strong team environment that encourages knowledge sharing and close cooperation across functions.

With a structured development plan and a wide range of training opportunities, TRATON Group R&D supports your professional growth both locally and internationally.

Benefits include access to our health center in Gröndal or a wellness allowance, bonus, flexible working hours, and company car leasing. We also arrange events for employees and their families, and for those living in Stockholm, convenient commuting is supported through direct Scania Job express buses to Södertälje.

Application deadline: 2026-08-21

If you have questions or would like more information, please contact:

Jon Andersson, Unit Head, [e-mail]. For technical questions about the project, please contact Pedro Lima at [e-mail]