Post doctor (2 years) within “Human Interaction with Humanoid Unitree G1”

Wifo; Umeå kommun; On-site; SEK 350,000 - 450,000; Full time

Job summary

Wifo is seeking a Post Doctor to work on 'Human Interaction with Humanoid Unitree G1' for two years at Umeå University. The position is set to start in Autumn 2026, requiring expertise in robotics and programming humanoid platforms.

The successful candidate will engage in advanced research, develop cognitive agents, and collaborate on multidisciplinary projects. Responsibilities include programming with ROS2 and publishing findings at conferences. A PhD in a relevant field is mandatory, with preferred candidates having research experience in humanoid platforms.

Qualifications

• PhD in relevant field with experience in robotics.
• Demonstrated research experience in robot control.
• Solid skills in numerical analysis.
• Advanced knowledge of computer vision.
• Experience in human-robot interaction.

Responsibilities

• Implement cognitive agent in humanoid Unitree G1.
• Conduct research tasks, including scene understanding and learning.
• Write scientific papers and communicate research advances.
• Program using ROS2 packages and solve SLAM.

Skills

Robotics programming

Numerical analysis

Computer vision

Human-robot interaction

Education

PhD in relevant field

Engineering degree in Mechanical, Control, Mechatronics, Robotics or AI

Job description

Post doctor (2 years) within “Human Interaction with Humanoid Unitree G1”

Umeå University is one of Sweden’s largest higher education institutions with over 41,500 students and about 4,600 employees. The University offers a diversity of high-quality education and world-leading research in several fields. Notably, the groundbreaking discovery of the CRISPR-Cas9 gene‑editing tool, which was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry, was made here. At Umeå University, everything is close. Our cohesive campuses make it easy to meet, work together and exchange knowledge, which promotes a dynamic and open culture.

The ongoing societal transformation and large green investments in northern Sweden create enormous opportunities and complex challenges. For Umeå University, conducting research about – and in the middle of – a society in transition is key. We also take pride in delivering education to enable regions to expand quickly and sustainably. In fact, the future is made here.

The Department of Computing Science is looking for a postdoctoral researcher in “Human Interaction with Humanoid Unitree G1 Edu U4 Dex3-1” within the WASP project, led by Assoc. Prof. Zoe Falomir. The position is full-time for two years, starting Autumn 2026, or as agreed.

The Department of Computing Science

The Department of Computing Science at Umeå University is an international environment for research and education covering a broad spectrum of computer science. The department is internationally renowned for its excellent research and education. We are affiliated with WASP – Sweden’s largest individual research program of all time, coordinate its sister program WASP-HS, which focuses on the consequences of emerging technologies, and are a strong partner in the national strategic research program eSSENCE. We value diversity and actively work to promote an inclusive work environment with a high level of engagement. Read more at: Department of Computing Science

Interested? Submit your application by Sep 4, 2026.

Project description and working tasks

This project proposes the implementation of a cognitive agent embodied in a humanoid robot Unitree G1 which will collaborate with a human partner to solve a spatial problem (e.g. 3D puzzle).

The tasks to be carried out are: (i) scene understanding: detection of objects and relations between objects, and use of these relations to infer new knowledge (i.e. reasoning); (ii) explore object affordances, learn the consequences of the actions carried out and enrich the knowledge base (i.e. learning by interaction); (iii) querying the knowledge base about what was useful in the past to predict actions that might be useful in the present, try them out and update its knowledge base (i.e. update learning). Also writing scientific papers and communicating our research advances in conferences.

Methods: programming a humanoid platform using ROS2 packages, solve SLAM, use imitation learning algorithms to learn pick-and-place actions, design HRI experiments with users, evaluate data, and share the code and benchmarks in open repositories.

This postdoctoral position is funded by Wallenberg AI, Autonomous Systems and Software Program (WASP). WASP is Sweden’s largest individual research program ever, a major national initiative for strategically motivated basic research, education and faculty recruitment. Read more: https://wasp-sweden.org/

Qualifications

To be appointed under the postdoctoral agreement, the postdoctoral fellow must have completed a doctoral degree or a foreign degree equivalent to a doctoral degree. This qualification must be fulfilled no later than at the time of the appointment decision.

Priority should be given to candidates who completed their doctoral degree no later than three years ago. If there are special reasons, candidates who completed their doctoral degree earlier may also be eligible. Special reasons include absence due to illness, parental leave, appointments of trust in trade union organisations, military service or similar circumstances, as well as clinical practice or other forms of appointment/assignment relevant to the subject area.

Required Qualifications

• A PhD in a relevant field, with experience in robotics, particularly programming of humanoid platforms
• An engineering degree in a field related to:
  • Mechanical engineering
  • Automatic control
  • Mechatronics
  • Robotics
  • Artificial intelligence
• Demonstrated research experience in robot control and, more generally, complex systems
• Solid skills in numerical analysis
• Advanced knowledge of computer vision
• Experience in human‑robot interaction

Particularly Meritorious

• A PhD with a specialization in humanoid platforms

Other Meritorious Qualifications

• Publications in well-established conferences such as ICRA, IROS, or HRI (or equivalent)
• Hands‑on experience with humanoid platforms
• Knowledge in cognitive robotics and cognitive architectures

Highly Meritorious

• Publications in ICRA, IROS, HRI, or similar conferences
• Experience in humanoid platforms
• Knowledge in cognitive robotics and cognitive architecture

Important personal qualities are:

• Excellent written and oral scientific communication skills in English
• Good interpersonal skills, that is, being communicative and collaborative with the rest of the people in the team, and the ability to work within multidisciplinary projects
• Autonomy, good skills in problem solving, critical and creative thinking

Application

A full application should include:

• Cover letter describing your research interests, project ideas, and contact information.
• Curriculum vitae (CV) with publication list including DOI links.
• Verified copy of doctoral degree certificate or documentation that clarifies when the degree of doctor is expected to be obtained.
• Verified copies of other diplomas, list of completed academic courses and grades.
• Copy of doctoral thesis and up to 5 relevant articles.
• Other documents that the applicant wishes to claim.
• Contact information to two people willing to act as references.

The application must be written in English or Swedish. The application is made through our electronic recruitment system. Documents sent electronically must be in Word or PDF format. Log in to the system and apply via the button at the end of this page. The closing date is 4 Setember 2026.

Umeå University wants to offer an equal environment where open dialogue between people with different backgrounds and perspectives lays the foundation for learning, creativity and development. We welcome people with different backgrounds and experiences to apply for the current employment. We kindly decline offers of recruitment and advertising help.