Professor of AI and Robotics

 We are looking for a professor of AI and Robotics for a permanent position at the School of Natural Science and Technology.

Subject area

The subject area for this position is Computer Science.

Background

Örebro University is a modern university offering a range of subjects and prestigious professional degree programs. The university has around 1,600 employees and 16,000 students. This position is connected to the Centre of Applied Autonomous Sensor Systems (AASS), which carries out multi-disciplinary research at the intersection of computer science, robotics, machine learning, artificial intelligence, and computer vision. With more than 70 researchers, AASS is one of Sweden’s largest research environments in robotics and AI, established in 1998. Our research is frequently conducted in collaboration with prominent companies as well as the public sector with contributions that are internationally recognized. AASS is at the forefront of AI and robotics research, as demonstrated by our active participation in high-profile AI initiatives (for more information, visit https://www.oru.se/english/strategic-initiatives/ai/). Örebro University is a growing university, and Artificial Intelligence and Robotics are strong priorities. We aspire to create an appealing workplace where our staff takes pride and finds satisfaction in their contributions.

AASS is also responsible for computer science education at Örebro University which includes undergraduate programs in computer engineering on different levels as well as a graduate programs in computer science with focus on AI and robotics. We also contribute to a number of other undergraduate and graduate programs.

The unit is located on the central campus of Örebro University where a wide range of robotic equipment and lab facilities is available. Örebro is one of the larger cities in the heart of Sweden a two hour train ride away from Stockholm. A world class orchestra located in Örebro, inspiring exhibitions like the biannual OpenArt festival, beautiful parks, recreation areas and Tiveden national park nearby are just a few examples of what makes Örebro a special place to live in Sweden.

Duties and responsibilities

As a rule, a professor at Örebro University spends the major part of their working hours on research. They are also expected to work actively to bring in external research grants to the subject, take overall responsibility for research activities, and monitor developments within the subject field internationally. A professor is expected to be involved at all three levels of higher education and to communicate and collaborate around their own and the department’s research activities.

A professor is moreover expected, within the scope of their employment, to be active within the organization and contribute to the university’s development.

The aim of this position is to strengthen fundamental and applied research in AI and Robotics. We are looking for a strong candidate who is eager to advance the research environment by building up new research directions that are complementary to the existing expertise in AI and Robotics at Örebro University. It is particularly important to be able to collaborate with existing research groups.

You can read more at: https://www.oru.se/jointheAIteam

Therefore, we are looking for somebody who is already working in the intersection of AI and robotics (e.g. cognitive robotics, human-robot/AI communication, mobile intelligent robotics), or who has the potential to contribute to our research profile from the AI side (e.g. machine learning, knowledge representation and reasoning, natural language processing, multi-agent systems) or from the robotics side (e.g. robotic perception and control). We also want to emphasise that robotics here includes mobile robotics, multi-robot systems and networked robotics.

Qualifications and assessment criteria

A person who has demonstrated both research and teaching expertise is qualified for employment as a professor, and when assessed, as much attention is to be given to the applicant’s teaching expertise as to their research expertise. The assessment is also to consider the applicant’s qualifications and experience from collaboration with the wider community, of which the university is a part, as well as national and international experience and mobility. In addition, the applicant’s suitability for the position and their leadership skills will be assessed.

Research expertise

The applicant’s research expertise is assessed based on national and international standing and recognition in the scientific community. Research expertise is demonstrated through independent research contributions that significantly exceed the requirements for appointment as a docent, in terms of both quality and quantity and number of publications and citations in accordance with the disciplinary traditions of the post applied for.

Further evidence of recognition is provided by the ability to lead and develop research as well as through supervision of doctoral students. It is desirable that an applicant has been principal supervisor to at least two doctoral students who have successfully defended their theses. Research expertise also encompasses being/having been the principal researcher of projects with grants awarded in competition and appointments to positions of trust within academia.

Teaching expertise

The completion of courses equivalent to 10 weeks of study in teaching and learning in higher education is a general qualification requirement for permanent employment as a professor at Örebro University. Örebro University may also assess whether other experience of teaching in higher education meets this assessment criterion. A professor who on appointment lacks training in teaching and learning in higher education or equivalent expertise undertakes to complete the requisite training course(s) within two years of their appointment. Appointment as a professor also requires that the applicant has completed training in supervising doctoral students.

At Örebro University, teaching expertise is assessed in the categories teaching approach, teaching approach in practice, and professional development as a teacher. Applicants’ teaching qualifications shall be documented in accordance with Örebro University’s template for teaching portfolios and clearly relate to the values set out in Örebro University’s educational philosophy.

The assessment of applicant’s teaching expertise is based on the breadth and scope of various forms of working and teaching at the bachelor’s, master’s and/or doctoral levels, including experience of individual supervision at various levels, in addition to doctoral supervision. In addition, applicants’ ability to develop, plan, implement and evaluate teaching and examination formats is assessed, as is their ability to contribute to the pedagogical development of teaching, such as preparing teaching material, learning aids and/or governance documents for teaching. The assessment of teaching expertise is further based on applicants’ experience of management and leadership responsibilities at the bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral levels that have actively promoted student learning. Applicants’ ability to link teaching to research and contribute to a scientific approach in their teaching will also be assessed.

Collaboration and public engagement skills

The ability to interact with the surrounding society is an important part of a professor’s role and it requires a good understanding of various societal processes and the impact of university activities on these. Assessment of collaboration and public engagement skills looks at three aspects: the ability to communicate, the ability to collaborate with the surrounding society, and the ability to facilitate utilisation of the university’s research. Applicants are expected to present national and international external relations and collaborations. The ability to communicate research and science is to be considered along with the ability to conduct research in collaboration with the wider community and the ability to utilise research so that it benefits society. Experience of industrial collaborations is particularly meriting, as is experience from ethical review boards and similar duties.

Leadership skills

In assessing leadership and administrative skills, the applicant’s qualifications and experience from leadership roles within education and research are to be considered, such as a proven ability to lead activities and staff, and an ability to organise and lead research projects, research teams and/or study programmes. Experience of serving in academic positions of trust, such as faculty assignments or appointments with government research funding bodies will also be considered. Assessment criteria includes also experience in academic leadership (at unit/department/university level or equivalent) as well as assignments as a member of national and international committees, working groups or assignments in other areas of relevance. Depending on the specialisation and duties of the appointment, qualifications obtained outside the higher education sector may also be considered.

Suitability

Suitability refers to the applicant having the personal qualities required to successfully perform the duties and responsibilities at hand, to cooperate with other members of staff, and to drive the development of the operations in question. Applicants are also expected to have the ability to make research-ethical considerations and to follow good research practice.

Other assessment criteria

Very good English communication skills are mandatory and an ability to communicate in Swedish is an additional merit. Willingness to learn Swedish is highly appreciated and will be supported by the University.

Information

This is a permanent full-time position. At Örebro University, salary depends on the successful candidate’s qualifications and experience. At https://www.oru.se/english/career/ you can find information about advantages of living in Sweden with its strong social support systems as well as information on relocation support that Örebro University offers.

For more information about the position, contact Lars Karlsson (head of division), +46 19 30 33 55, e-mail: lars.karlsson@oru.se, or Mattias Bäckström (head of school), +46 19 30 39 65, e-mail: mattias.backstrom@oru.se.

At Örebro University, we expect each member of staff to be open to development and change; take responsibility for their work and performance; demonstrate a keen interest in collaboration and contribute to development; as well as show respect for others by adopting a constructive and professional approach.

Örebro University actively pursues equal opportunities and gender equality as well as a work environment characterised by openness, trust and respect. We value the qualities that diversity adds to our operations.

Örebro University aims to improve the gender balance among professors and especially encourages female candidates to apply.

Application

The application is made online. Click the button “Apply” to begin the application procedure.

For the application to be complete, the following electronic documents must be included:

• Covering letter, outlining how you believe you can contribute to the continued development of Örebro University, with a special focus on potential collaborations within AASS (https://www.oru.se/aass).
• CV with a relevant description of your overall qualifications and experience enabling external experts as well as the recruitment committee to evaluate according to the listed assessment criteria.
• Teaching portfolio (as instructed in Örebro University's guidelines)
• Research portfolio
• Publication list
• Relevant scientific publications (maximum of 10 and in full-text format)
• Copies of relevant course/degree certificates and references verifying eligibility and criteria met

Only documents written in Swedish, English, Norwegian and Danish can be reviewed.
More information for applicants will be found on our career site: https://www.oru.se/english/career/available-positions/applicants-and-external-experts/

The application deadline is 2024-01-31. We look forward to receiving your application!

After the application deadline, no supplements can be made electronically. If you have scientific publications that cannot be attached electronically to the application, you will, once the external experts have been appointed, receive instructions on how the missing publications can be submitted.

As we have already made our choices in terms of external collaboration partners and marketing efforts for this recruitment process, we decline any contact with recruitment agencies and advertisers.

As directed by the National Archives of Sweden (Riksarkivet), we are required to deposit one file copy of the application documents, excluding publications, for a period of two years after the appointment decision has gained legal force.

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