Postdoctoral in Experimental Robotics and AI

Electrification and digitization belong to the future's largest areas for transition to sustainable societies. The Department of Electrical Engineering conducts successful research and education in these areas - including renewable energy sources and electric vehicles, industrial IOT, 6G communication and wireless sensor networks, but also research and education in Life Science, health technology, smart electronic sense The department of electrical engineering is an international environment with about 170 employees who contribute to important technical energy and health solutions at the steam laboratory.

Chemistry is an important key in the development towards a more sustainable society. The Department of Chemistry conducts research within six research programs and offers both basic and postgraduate education in close cooperation with other institutions. We are researching the 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 medicines for medical treatments.

We are now looking for a postdoctoral doctor in experimental robotics and AI for autonomous re-manufacturing of batteries.

Come and work with us!

The service is located at the Department of Electricity, within the Department of Electrical Engineering. Here you will find a nice work environment with an active doctoral network and a variety of experimental projects. The department cooperates with Swedish companies - both public and private - and other stakeholders in the various research areas. We look forward to your application. Be with and build the future with us!

Read more about our benefits and how it is to work in Uppsala University.

Projektbeskrivning

Rechargeable batteries are crucial for the transition to a carbon-neutral future. Given the huge amounts of battery materials needed, for example for electrification of the automotive industry - are sustainability in materials and processes of the utmost importance. Regardless of which battery chemistry is studied, a circular battery chain is dependent on effective recovery. Current industrial recycling is mainly based on pyro and hydrometallurgical methods, or a combination of these, to recover critical elements and elements that must not be released into the environment. However, these methods are energy, water and chemical intensity.

In this project, we intend to examine and demonstrate an AI-powered fully automatic and flexible robotized solution for the potentially more durable process directly re-manufacturing. 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, analyzed, picked apart, the components are washed and re-manufactured. The established process is then applied to optimize wash solutions for battery electrodes. Finally, the process will be evaluated for potential for scaling to larger battery format relevant to the automotive industry.

The project's core is an industrial robot system that autonomously manufacture, test, analyze, remove, clean and re-combat li-ion battery cells.

The project is conducted in the intersection of experimental robotics, adaptive manipulation, Mechatronics, ML-based machine vision, autonomous experimentation and machine learning, in close cooperation with researchers in battery chemistry.

You are not expected to be an expert on 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 solid practical experience in robotics, mechatronics or related areas interested in applying their expertise on a new interdisciplinary research challenge.

The service is part of a collaboration between the institutions for electrical engineering and chemistry at Uppsala University in the Battery Initiative Compelt.

Tasks

• The postdoctoral researcher will have a central role in and responsible for developing the autonomous robot platform described above.
• Depending on the background of the candidate and while ensuring the project's overall goal, research issues can focus 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
• Experiments that combine robotics, machine vision and active learning
• Experimental validation of autonomous processes in a real laboratory environment
• Writing publications and presenting results on conferences from the research project.
• Collaboration with experts and partners in the research project and environment.
• In the tasks, teaching can also be included, however, max 20 % of working hours.

Please note that this is an abbreviated version of the ad. To view the full ad please click on "Apply here" or see Uppsala University's website:https://uu.se/jobb/