Postdoctoral Research Fellow - Autonomous Systems: Pedestrian Behavior Analysis and Risk Assessment

Join Aalto University's Department of Electrical Engineering and Automation as a Postdoctoral Researcher in Socially Aware Autonomy, focusing on pedestrian intention prediction, communication, and real-time risk estimation. This position offers an exceptional opportunity to advance cutting-edge research in predictive, human-aware autonomy for industrial vehicles and robots operating in human-populated environments.

Working within the Mobile Robotics Group under the supervision of Assistant Professor Tomasz Kucner and Professor Simo Särkkä, you will lead groundbreaking research that bridges the gap between autonomous systems and human safety. Your work will directly contribute to safer, more efficient interactions between autonomous machines and pedestrians in urban and industrial settings.

• Lead research initiatives in socially aware autonomous systems, developing novel approaches to human-machine interaction in dynamic environments
• Develop and implement advanced pedestrian intention prediction algorithms and trajectory forecasting models that enable proactive safety measures
• Design human-machine communication protocols that enhance action legibility and improve trust between autonomous systems and human operators
• Create real-time risk estimation frameworks that enable autonomous vehicles and robots to assess and mitigate potential hazards dynamically
• Integrate perception and prediction capabilities with robust sensor fusion and distributed computation systems, collaborating closely with the Sensor Informatics and Medical Technology Group
• Publish high-quality research in top-tier conferences and journals, contributing to the global knowledge base in autonomous systems
• Develop and maintain codebases that support research reproducibility and enable technology transfer to industrial applications
• Create compelling demonstrations that showcase research outcomes and validate approaches in realistic scenarios
• Collaborate with industry partners to translate research findings into practically deployable solutions for logistics, ports, mining, and tunneling applications
• Contribute to project milestone achievements and participate in dissemination activities including stakeholder events and technology showcases
• Mentor junior researchers and students, fostering the next generation of experts in socially aware autonomy
• Participate in international collaborations and research exchanges to advance the field globally

• PhD degree in robotics, computer science, electrical engineering, or closely related field
• Demonstrated expertise in socially aware autonomy, human intention prediction, and real-time risk assessment for human-robot or vehicle-pedestrian interaction scenarios
• Strong technical background in machine learning and probabilistic modeling specifically applied to motion prediction and behavioral analysis
• Proven experience with temporal deep learning models and multimodal perception systems for understanding human behavior
• Publication record demonstrating contributions to autonomous systems, human-robot interaction, or related fields
• Programming proficiency in relevant languages such as Python, C++, or similar, with experience in machine learning frameworks
• Experience with real-time systems and understanding of computational constraints in autonomous applications
• Knowledge of sensor technologies and data fusion techniques commonly used in autonomous vehicles and robotic systems
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with ability to work independently on complex technical challenges
• Excellent communication skills and demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively with multidisciplinary teams
• Experience coordinating with academic and industry partners on research projects

• Experience deploying machine learning models on edge devices or embedded systems
• Background in safety-critical system design and validation
• Familiarity with industrial automation environments
• Previous work in autonomous vehicle development or mobile robotics

• Engagement with leading experts in robust estimation and predictive autonomy within a world-renowned research environment
• International collaboration opportunities with options for targeted research exchanges and conference participation
• Direct industrial impact through close collaboration with industry stakeholders in safety-critical domains
• Access to state-of-the-art facilities and computational resources at Aalto University
• Professional development support including training opportunities and career advancement pathways
• Comprehensive benefits package including occupational health care and access to Finland's extensive social security system
• Competitive compensation commensurate with experience and qualifications
• Work-life balance in Finland's consistently top-ranked quality of life environment
• Diverse and inclusive workplace that actively promotes equality and international collaboration

This 2.5-year position offers the potential for extension based on performance and funding availability. The starting date is flexible around June 2026, with discussions welcome to accommodate mutual scheduling needs.

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