Industrial PhD Student: Learn to Localize

We are searching for one Industrial Ph.D. candidate in sensor fusion for localization for autonomous vehicles.

At Autonomous Transport Solutions (ATS) Pre-Development & Research, Scania R&D, we pursue top-quality research and development of future cutting-edge ATS concepts. We operate in agile and self-steered teams that work in close cooperation with the Volkswagen group, leading technology suppliers, and academic institutions, with the ambition to detect and evaluate upcoming technologies. Our culture is built based upon delivering added customer value through research and practical experiments that iteratively lead to concepts for industrialization.

This research project will lie under the supervision of the Maps and Localization team, we are responsible for Maps for Highly autonomous driving and Localization of autonomous vehicles. You will work closely with the members of this highly competent multicultural team, instrumental in developing cutting-edge autonomous technologies where your ideas will be encouraged and embraced.

Your responsibilities
The key idea of the project is to embed robust state estimation at the center of the learning process for feature detection and fusion. This project provides the possibility to pursue first principles thinking approach, beginning with raw sensor measurements and designing a self-evolving system around it that can formulate interconnections between sensors in a data-driven manner, while ensuring that failure modes of a single modality do not degrade overall state estimation. Particularly, you will:

• Look into sensor fusion as a task-based learning problem
• Explore representation learning for efficient feature detection algorithms
• Research different learning paradigms for state estimation such as reinforcement learning, unsupervised learning
• Investigate different sensor modalities such as lidars, cameras, imaging radars and establish methods to handle sensor degradations
• Ensure that the state estimator performs robustly in varying environmental conditions such as localization in tunnels, bad weather conditions

Your profile
You have solid mathematical knowledge and demonstrable programming skills. We look for you who is self-motivated, engaged and can communicate in a pedagogic way to the team and the rest of the organization. You exhibit strong analytical skills, are well-organized and able to autonomously plan and execute tasks. You are fluent in English both in writing and in speech. 

• You have, or you are expected to obtain in the near future, a Master's degree in applied mathematics, computer science, machine learning, robotics, engineering physics, electrical engineering or in a related technical science or engineering subject
• Knowledge of Python and modern C++ and developing within a Linux-based development environment 
• Experience with deep learning frameworks and architectures
• Fundamentals in machine learning, non-linear optimization, state estimation

It is meritorious if you have any of the following: 

• Knowledge and experience within other programming languages and/or MATLAB/Simulink along with a keen interest in software development
• A proven interest in interdisciplinary research and record of initiative 
• Experience working with lidar, camera, radar or IMU in state-estimation or perception contexts (Point cloud registration, computer vision, Kalman Filters, SLAM) 
• Experience with Reinforcement Learning

Contact information 
For more information, you are welcome to contact Laura Dal Col, at +46 (0)8 553 851 20.

Application
Apply with CV, cover letter and copies of your education certificate and transcript. The final application date is March 9, 2022. Interviews will take place continuously during the application period.

We are looking forward to your application!

Scania is a world-leading provider of transport solutions, including trucks and buses for heavy transport applications combined with an extensive product-related service offering. Scania offers vehicle financing, insurance and rental services to enable our customers to focus on their core business. Scania is also a leading provider of industrial and marine engines. In 2019, we delivered 91,700 trucks, 7,800 buses as well as 10,200 industrial and marine engines to our customers. Net sales totalled to over SEK 152 billion, of which about 20 percent were services-related. Founded in 1891, Scania now operates in more than 100 countries and employs some 51,000 people. Research and development are concentrated in Sweden, with branches in Brazil and India. Production takes place in Europe, Latin America and Asia, with regional production centers in Africa, Asia and Eurasia. Scania is part of TRATON SE.