Postdoc in industrial systems with a specialization in automation

Mälardalen University; Eskilstuna kommun; On-site; SEK 420,000 - 540,000; Full time

Job summary

Mälardalen University in Eskilstuna invites applications for a postdoctoral researcher in Production Development within MARC. The position focuses on portable and reconfigurable automation and close collaboration with industry partners to deliver practical results.

You will independently plan and execute studies, write scientific articles, and disseminate results. Teaching or other duties may be up to 20% of the time.

Qualifications

• PhD in a relevant technical field completed within the last three years.
• Documented experience in experimental research in lab or industry.
• Experience with industrial, collaborative, or portable robots.
• Experience programming and configuring control systems (PLC, Python, C/C++, MATLAB, ROS).
• Ability to work independently through the research process and collaborate widely.
• Excellent oral and written English in scientific writing.

Responsibilities

• Plan and conduct scientific studies in smart and portable automation.
• Develop methods, technologies, and prototypes for portable automation with industry partners.
• Publish articles and disseminate results; engage in industrial applications.
• Possibly teach up to 20% and contribute to MARC research group activities.

Skills

Experimental research

Industrial robots

Collaborative robots

Portable robotic platforms

Independent researcher

English scientific writing

Education

PhD in Production Engineering

PhD in Mechanical Engineering

PhD in Automation

PhD in Robotics

Tools

PLC

Python

C/C++

MATLAB

ROS

Job description

The Faculty of Engineering and Health Sciences provides education and conducts research in engineering, health and information design, with a clear focus on addressing societal challenges. Our research is carried out in close collaboration with external partners, both nationally and internationally, and contributes to knowledge development and innovation. Through our collaboration platforms, we bring together academia, the public sector and industry to jointly drive knowledge development and strengthen the relevance of research and education. Education at all levels is research-based and closely aligned with the needs of society and working life. Together, we contribute to sustainable societal development.

The Faculty comprises three departments with a total of approximately 500 staff.

The Department of Engineering Sciences brings together a large part of the University’s Bachelor of Science in Engineering and Master of Science in Engineering programmes in fields such as energy engineering, mechanical engineering, robotics, building engineering, environmental engineering and industrial systems. The department conducts internationally recognised research focusing on future energy and industrial systems. Collaboration with industry and society is central to developing sustainable, resource-efficient and competitive solutions for the society of tomorrow.

Employment information

Employment: Temporary employment, 2 years

Period of employment/Start date: As agreed

Scope: Full time

Number of positions: 1

Closing date for application: 26 october 2026

Campus location: Eskilstuna

School: Teknikvetenskap

Position description

The purpose of the position is to give the employee an early opportunity to develop his or her independence as a researcher and to create the conditions for further acquisitions of qualifications after completing the doctoral degree. The position is a temporary employment with a maximum period of 3 years.

The position consists mainly of research in which the candidate is expected to independently plan and carry out scientific studies in the area of smart and portable automation. The position will be conducted within the framework of the research profile MARC (Mälardalen Research and Competence Centre for Future Manufacturing), which means that the work will take place in close collaboration with industry partners and other researchers within the profile.

Within MARC, the research focuses on future sustainable and flexible production systems, where smart and portable automation plays a central role. The candidate is expected to contribute to the development of new methods, technologies, and prototypes for portable and reconfigurable automation, as well as explore how these solutions can be integrated into industrial environments with requirements for flexibility, quality, and resource efficiency. The work may include experimental research in laboratory and industrial settings, system development, analysis of production flows, and co-creation of knowledge together with company partners. As MARC is a collaborative profile with strong ties to regional companies, the candidate will also take part in project meetings, workshops, and joint activities where industrial relevance and implementability are key components.

The postdoctoral position includes scientific writing of articles, dissemination, and oral presentation of research results. An important part of the dissemination work is active engagement in industrial applications in close collaboration with industrial partners.

As a postdoctoral researcher, you are expected to take responsibility for independently planning and conducting your studies, take initiatives to develop your ideas and knowledge, and cooperate with others both within and outside academia. Teaching or other departmental duties may be included up to a maximum of 20%.

As a postdoctoral researcher, you will also be part of the research group for Production Development, where you are expected to contribute to the development of the group.

Qualification requirements

The applicant is required to have a PhD degree in Production Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Automation, Robotics, or another relevant technical field.

The applicant must have completed the degree no more than three years before the end of the application period. You have not previously held a position as a postdoctoral researcher in the same or related subject area at MDU that exceeds one year.

• Documented experience in experimental research, for example work conducted in laboratory, testbed, or industrial environments.
• Experience with industrial robots, collaborative robots, or portable robotic platforms.
• Experience in programming and configuring control systems for automation and robotics, including relevant programming languages such as PLC, Python, C/C++, MATLAB, ROS, or equivalent.
• Ability to work independently throughout the research process, including planning, execution, analysis, and reporting of scientific studies.
• Ability to collaborate and interact with individuals at various levels both within and outside academia, such as students, colleagues, and industry representatives.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English, including documented ability in scientific writing.

Assessment criteria

• Knowledge of or experience with investment projects involving industrial robots, collaborative robots, or portable robotic platforms is considered a merit.
• Experience with industry‑related applications and collaboration, such as work in real industrial projects, collaborative assignments, or demonstrations of solutions in laboratory, testbed, or pilot environments in close dialogue with industry partners.
• Knowledge of relevant ISO standards for robot safety and the ability to apply them in practical engineering work.
• Experience in mechatronics and system integration, as well as modelling and simulation of robotic, automation, or production systems.
• Experience in teaching within relevant technical fields.
• Ability to identify industrial needs and translate research results into demonstrators, industrial applications, and for use in undergraduate education.
• Proficiency in Swedish is highly meritorious.

In an overall assessment of suitability, emphasis is also placed on personal abilities. All employees at MDU are expected to cooperate and treat colleagues and students with respect, take responsibility for the organisation and their own work duties and contribute to a positive work environment.

For this position, particular emphasis will be placed on the following personal abilities:

• Ability to independently drive, plan, and carry out doctoral studies, both individually and in collaboration with others, within and outside academia.
• Ability to communicate and collaborate effectively with others, both within academia and in industry.

We value the qualities that an even distribution of age and gender, as well as ethnic and cultural diversity, can contribute to the organisation.

Application

The scientific publications that you do not have in digital form are to be sent by post to:

Mälardalen University

Division of Human Resources

Ref.no: 2026/2339

Box 883

SE-721 23 Västerås, SWEDEN

The applicant is responsible for ensuring that the application is complete in accordance with the advertisement and will reach the university no later than closing date for application.

We look forward to receiving your application!

Union representatives

Saco-S [e-mail]

Susanne Meijer ST-OFR/S, phone: [phone]

Contact person

Antti Salonen

Biträdande prefekt

016-153606

[e-mail]