Research Engineer (LWIR Perception & UAV State Estimation)

Interested applicants are invited to apply directly at the NUS Career Portal. Please note your application will only be processed if you apply via NUS Career Portal.

NUS Career Portal link: https://careers.nus.edu.sg/job/Research-Engineer-%28LWIR-Perception-&-UAV-State-Estimation%29/32576-en_GB/

We regret that only shortlisted candidates will be notified.

Job Description

A Research Engineer position is open at the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, National University of Singapore (NUS).

The Research Engineer will work closely with the Principal Investigator (PI) on the project on Long-Wave Infrared (LWIR) Imaging for Autonomous Navigation. The position focuses on developing robust perception, state estimation, and odometry algorithms using LWIR (thermal) imaging for UAVs operating under degraded visual conditions, such as low illumination, smoke, fog, and texture-sparse environments.

The Research Engineer will design and implement LWIR-based odometry and thermal-inertial state estimation frameworks, including multi-sensor fusion with IMU and other onboard sensors. The work will involve both model-based approaches (e.g., filtering and optimization-based estimation) and learning-enhanced methods for improving robustness and generalization across environments.

The candidate will also be responsible for system integration and real-world deployment on UAV platforms, including embedded implementation, sensor calibration, and experimental validation in both indoor and outdoor scenarios. The developed methods will be evaluated in realistic navigation tasks under challenging environmental conditions.

The initial appointment duration is 12 months, which can then be extended based on an evaluation at the end of the initial appointment.

The candidate should have a Bachelor's degree from a reputable university, with expertise in robot perception, state estimation, or aerial robotics.

A successful candidate should have a strong mathematical background (e.g., linear algebra, optimization, probability, stochastic processes), along with demonstrated experience in state estimation, odometry, or SLAM systems, particularly in robotics applications.

Qualifications

. Possess min a Bachelor's degree in Computer Engineering/Science or related disciplines (e.g., Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Mathematics).
. Have research experience in robot perception, state estimation, SLAM, or sensor fusion.
. Experience with thermal (LWIR) imaging, event cameras, or other non-RGB sensing modalities is highly preferred.
. Familiar with visual-inertial odometry (VIO), thermal-inertial odometry, or multi-sensor fusion frameworks.
. Knowledge of state estimation techniques, including EKF, UKF, factor graph optimization, or moving horizon estimation (MHE).
. Experience with feature extraction or direct methods under low-texture or low-SNR conditions is a plus.
. Proficient in C++ or Python experience with ROS and real-time robotic systems.
. Familiar with UAV systems (e.g., PX4), and simulation environments such as Gazebo or AirSim.
. Experience in sensor calibration (intrinsic/extrinsic) and time synchronization is desirable.
. Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, demonstrated through relevant publications or projects.
. Ability to deploy algorithms on embedded platforms (e.g., NVIDIA Jetson) is a plus.
. Excellent communication skills for publishing and presenting research outcomes.
. Experience in world-class research environments is highly valued.
. Open to Fixed Term contract