Şebnem Sarıözkan

Research Associate @ Paderborn University

About

Robotics and Perception Engineer with a multidisciplinary background in UAV systems, real-time vision pipelines, and SLAM for autonomous navigation. I bring over 5 years of hands-on experience developing software for mission-critical robotics applications, focusing on integrating robust perception with reliable control.I have in-depth experience in:Model-based multirotor control (DO-178C compliant)Visual and event-based SLAM (ORB-SLAM3, Ultimate SLAM and custom hybrid systems)Sensor fusion with IMU, LiDAR, RGB-D, and event camerasAutonomous navigation with real-time path planning and mapping (Fast-Planner, ESDF, OpenDRIVE)SIL/HIL testing with ROS, PX4, and Aurelion/FlightGear environmentsI take a systems-level approach, ensuring that high-level autonomy is supported by well-engineered perception, estimation, and control modules. Currently, I am completing my Master’s thesis on event-based visual navigation for GPS-denied environments, combining edge-enhanced tracking and depth-aware SLAM frontends.Actively seeking opportunities where I can contribute to building resilient, real-time robotic systems—on the ground or in the air.

Country

Germany

City

Paderborn

Industry

Research

Skill

SLAM, Matlab, ROS, OpenCV, Localization, 3D Mapping, PCL, Simulink, Controller Design, Robotics, Gazebo, machine learning, Signal Processing, Python, ROS2, System Modelling, Artificial Neural Network , Grafik Kullanıcı Arayüzü (GUI), CARLA, C#

Experience

Research Associate

Paderborn University

2025-9 - Present · 1 yr 1 mo

Kreis Paderborn, Kuzey Ren-Vestfalya, Almanya

Research in event-based SLAM and computer vision, focusing on robust visual-inertial odometry and autonomous systems within the Control and Automation Engineering (RAT) Group at Paderborn University. My current work emphasizes drone navigation and localization, leveraging event cameras, depth estimation, and inertial sensing for reliable performance in challenging environments.

Working Student

dSPACE

2023-10 - 2025-6 · 1 yr 9 mos

Almanya

● 𝗖𝗹𝗼𝘀𝗲𝗱-𝗟𝗼𝗼𝗽 𝗧𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗩𝗘𝗦𝗜 𝗖𝗟𝗜𝗙 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗳𝗮𝗰𝗲: Implemented and validated closed-loop UAV control systems using dSPACE’s VESI CLIF interface, ensuring realistic hardware-in-the-loop (HiL) testing with high reproducibility. ● 𝗦𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗼𝗿 𝗗𝗮𝘁𝗮 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗨𝗔𝗩 𝗣𝗲𝗿𝗰𝗲𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: Processed and interpreted simulated sensor outputs from Aurelion, including LiDAR point clouds and stereo/depth images, for perception algorithm validation. ● 𝟯𝗗 𝗘𝗻𝘃𝗶𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗠𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗢𝗯𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗰𝗹𝗲 𝗔𝘃𝗼𝗶𝗱𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲: Generated ESDF (Euclidean Signed Distance Field) maps from LiDAR point clouds to support real-time 3D mapping and collision-free navigation for autonomous UAVs.

Working Student

Capgemini Engineering

2022-8 - 2023-9 · 1 yr 2 mos

Almanya

● 𝗟𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗲-𝗕𝗮𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝗣𝗮𝘁𝗵 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗼𝗻𝗼𝗺𝗼𝘂𝘀 𝗩𝗲𝗵𝗶𝗰𝗹𝗲𝘀: Developed and integrated a lattice-based path planner to enable real-time trajectory generation for autonomous vehicles, ensuring kinematic feasibility and collision avoidance. ● 𝗛𝗗 𝗠𝗮𝗽 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗴𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗨𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗢𝗽𝗲𝗻𝗗𝗥𝗜𝗩𝗘 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗮𝗿𝗱𝘀: Generated and utilized high-definition road maps compliant with OpenDRIVE specifications to support structured environment understanding and enhance the performance of global and local planners.

Flight Systems Modelling and Control Engineer

Turkish Aerospace

2019-8 - 2022-4 · 2 yrs 9 mos

Ankara, Turkey

45h/week · Ankara, Turkey ● 𝗠𝘂𝗹𝘁𝗶𝗿𝗼𝘁𝗼𝗿 𝗙𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗹 𝗗𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗻: Led the development of model-based flight control systems for multirotor UAVs under DO-178C guidelines using MATLAB/Simulink and Stateflow. ● 𝗥𝗢𝗦-𝗕𝗮𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗹 𝗦𝗼𝗳𝘁𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗲: Built modular flight software architecture in ROS, including flight manager, path planner, and cascaded position-attitude controllers. ● 𝗠𝘂𝗹𝘁𝗶-𝗦𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗼𝗿 𝗙𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻: Integrated data from IMU, GNSS, and onboard sensors for robust state estimation and navigation in GNSS-degraded environments. ● 𝗨𝗔𝗩 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗻𝘁 & 𝗥𝗼𝘁𝗼𝗿 𝗠𝗼𝗱𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴: Modeled multirotor dynamics and individual rotor characteristics, including coaxial thrust interactions, validated by wind tunnel and static thrust experiments. ● 𝗦𝗜𝗟 & 𝗛𝗜𝗟 𝗧𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: Conducted software-in-the-loop and hardware-in-the-loop simulations for control validation using FlightGear and real-time PX4 setups. 𝗔𝗰𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗺𝗶𝗰 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗯𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: Published results in peer-reviewed journal PCFD 2022 on coaxial rotor modelling and UAV performance validation.