ESS is now inviting applications for a Postdoctoral Fellow or Research Engineer in robotics and computer vision to work within the ASTRIND project to conduct research on, develop, and integrate an automated sample alignment system based on robotics and computer vision for the BEER instrument at ESS.

About the ASTRIND project:

Funded by the Röntgen-Ångström Cluster, this German-Swedish collaboration aims to enhance strain and texture measurements at ESS’s BEER diffractometer by transferring and extending robotic, vision, and simulation technologies developed at STRESS-SPEC (MLZ Munich). The project will improve alignment, motion planning, and sample exchange through multi-view camera tracking, integrated robot and hexapod control, and a BEER digital twin for calibration, collision-aware trajectory planning, and workflow validation. Additional tools for 3D-based measurement-point selection and in-situ digital image correlation will support advanced experiments. Cross-facility demonstrations between BEER and STRESS-SPEC will establish reproducible, standardized, and higher-throughput engineering diffraction workflows with improved data quality and industrial relevance.

About the role:

This position combines robotics, computer vision, software development, and moderate amount of experimental work with neutron diffraction technique to support the development and deployment of advanced sample alignment systems for the BEER instrument.

Your key responsibilities will include:

• Designing the system architecture (robot, cameras, auxiliary equipment) and propose hardware specifications, balancing performance requirements against the ASTRIND budget.
• Leading the integration of the sample robot, cameras, and auxiliary systems with the site-wide integrated control system (EPICS) and the neutron scattering control system (NICOS).
• Defining the data handling and user interfaces required for routine use of automated alignment during experiments.
• Planning and carrying out testing, commissioning, and validation of the system.
• Writing technical documentation

Depending on who we appoint into this position, you may also be:

• Conducting research and supervising master’s students on robotics and computer vision methods for automated sample alignment in neutron scattering applications.
• Publishing these research results in peer-reviewed journals and at conferences to strengthen the scientific output of the project.

This is a grant funded, fixed-term position for a period of three years. The role also requires the flexibility for occasional travel, including visits to project partners in Munich.