Postdoctoral researcher in experimental robotics and AI for autonomous battery remanufacturing

Electrification and digitalisation are among the major areas for the future transition to sustainable societies. The Department of Electrical Engineering conducts successful research and education in these areas - including renewable energy sources, electric vehicles, industrial IoT, 6G communication, and wireless sensor networks, as well as research and education in Life Science, health technology, smart electronic sensors, and medical systems. The Department of Electrical Engineering is an international environment with around 170 employees who contribute to important technological energy and health at the Ångström Laboratory.

Chemistry is an important key in the development towards a more sustainable society. The Department of Chemistry conducts research within six research programmes and offer both undergraduate and graduate education in close collaboration with other departments. We research next-generation batteries, more efficient solar cells, more environmentally friendly hydrogen, and materials that can replace critical elements. In addition to energy-related research, we also develop chemistry for biomaterials and drugs for medical treatments.

We are now looking for a Postdoctoral researcher in experimental robotics and AI for autonomous battery remanufacturing.

Come and join us!
The position is placed at the Division of Electricity, within the Department of Electrical Engineering. Here you will find a welcoming working environment with an active doctoral student network and a variety of experimental projects. The division collaborates with Swedish companies – both public and private – as well as other stakeholders within the various research areas. We look forward to receiving your application. Join us in building the future!

Read more about our benefits and what it is like to work at Uppsala University.

Project description

Rechargeable batteries are a key enabler for transitioning to a carbon-neutral future. Considering the enormous amounts of battery materials needed – e.g. for electrification of the vehicle industry – sustainability in materials and processes is of the highest importance. Regardless of the battery chemistry understudy, a circular battery value chain relies on efficient recycling. Current industrial recycling is mainly based on pyro- and hydrometallurgical methods, or a combination of those, to recover critical elements as well as elements that should not be released into the environment. Those methods are however energy, water, and chemical intense.

In this project, we aim to investigate and demonstrate an AI-driven fully automated and flexible robotized solution for the potentially more sustainable process of direct remanufacturing. First, a circular process is established in the form of a self-driving lab based on an industrial robot where Li-ion cells are manufactured, tested, analysed, disassembled, components washed, and remanufactured. The established process is optimized considering the chemical process solutions during electrode washing. Finally, the process is evaluated regarding potential for scaling to larger battery formats relevant for the vehicle industry. 

The core of the project is an industrial robotic system designed to autonomously manufacture, test, analyze, disassemble, clean, and remanufacture Li-ion battery cells. The project is situated at the intersection of experimental robotics, adaptive manipulation, mechatronics, ML-based machine vision, autonomous experimentation, and machine learning, and is conducted in close collaboration with researchers in battery chemistry. You are not expected to be an expert in all parts of the project. The project brings together expertise in robotics, automation, AI and battery chemistry. Previous battery experience is not required. We particularly welcome applicants with strong hands-on experience in robotics, mechatronics or related fields who are interested in applying their expertise to a new interdisciplinary research challenge.

The position is part of a collaboration between the departments of Electrical Engineering and Chemistry at Uppsala University within the Compel battery initiative.

Work duties

• The postdoctoral researcher will have a central role in and be responsible for developing the autonomous robotic platform described above.
• Depending on the candidate's background and while ensuring alignment with the overall project aim, the research questions can particularly focus on:
• flexible robotic manipulation of difficult-to-handle and fragile objects
• system and data architecture for smart autonomous laboratory operation
• vision-based perception and decision-making
• automatic adaptation to variations in objects and experimental conditions
• closed-loop experimentation combining robotics, machine vision and active learning
• experimental validation of autonomous processes in a real laboratory environment
• Writing publications and present research results from the project on conferences.
• Collaboration with experts and partners in the research project and environment.
• The work duties can also include teaching. No more than 20%. 

Qualifications required

• The applicant must hold a PhD degree or a foreign degree equivalent to a PhD degree in robotics, mechatronics, automation, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, industrial engineering, chemical engineering, engineering physics or similar.
• The degree needs to be obtained by the time of the decision of employment. Those who have obtained a PhD degree three years prior to the application deadline are primarily considered for the employment. The starting point of the three-year frame period is the application deadline. Due to special circumstances, the degree may have been obtained earlier. The three-year period can be extended due to circumstances such as sick leave, parental leave, duties in labour unions, etc.
• Documented practical experience of experimental work involving robotics, mechatronics, automation, or closely related areas.
• Hands-on experience in developing, integrating, programming or experimentally evaluating physical systems.
• Very good oral and written proficiency in English.

We will put an emphasis in your personal qualities such as good collaborations and communication skills with other researchers. You should be goal-oriented, self-driven, structured, have good problem-solving and analytical skills, be willing to acquire new relevant knowledge, and be able to work effectively both individually and in groups.

Qualifications desired

• Previous experience in one or more of the following is a merit:
• industrial robot programming and integration
• robot manipulation
• machine vision and perception
• mechatronics and sensor integration
• experimental automation / self-driving labs
• machine learning for experimental systems / physical AI
• battery chemistry /research.
• Completed academic teacher training course is a merit. 

About the employment

Fixed-term employment for 24 months in accordance with the central collective agreement. Full-time position. Start date: 2026-11-02 or as agreed. Location: Uppsala.

Read more about our benefits and what it is like to work at Uppsala University.

For further information about the position, please contact
Assistant professor Erik Hultman (Electrical Engineering), erik.hultman@angstrom.uu.se and Professor Erik Berg (Chemistry) erik.berg@kemi.uu.se.

Application instructions
The application should include 1) a cover letter describing yourself, your research interests and why you are applying for the position, 2) your CV, 3) a brief description of your education, 4) a copy of your doctoral degree certificate and academic transcripts, as well as a copy of your doctoral thesis, 5) any other documents you wish to refer to, 6) the names and contact details of referees (email address and telephone number), and 7) any publications. The application should be written in English.

You are welcome to submit your application no later than 29 October 2026. UFV-PA 2026/2909.