Global warming and pollution are threatening the survival of one million over the eight million species in forests and oceans on the planet. The EU answer to these challenges is the European Green Deal. Among these policies, a prominent role is given to the preservation of ecosystems by increasing the coverage of protected biodiversity-rich land and sea areas building on the Natura 2000 Network (N2000N). Stretching over 18% of the EU’s land area and almost 6% of its marine territory, N2000N is the largest coordinated network of protected areas in the world. The land and sea coverage will be increased up to 30% within 2030. Today human operators are the only option to perform the monitoring of such a large area. This is because their physical intelligence allows them to move for hours in wild unstructured environments. The artificial alternative is robotics. However, nowadays robots hardly leave laboratories and factories because they are not robust and efficient to survive in the real world. The Natural Intelligence (NI) project aims to serve the European Green Deal via monitoring the natural habitats of N2000N with quadrupedal robots able to effectively move in dunes, grasslands, forests, and alpine terrains. NI robots will be empowered by Natural Intelligence, emerging by the interaction of environment, body and mind, leveraging on the fusion of physical and cognitive crucial enablers.

Your role will be to lead the development of the motor intelligence of the NI quadruped, which can exploit the physical intelligence to reach unmatched performance in terms of efficiency and robustness of locomotion. For example, we think of having the quadruped jumping forward for a long distance and land on an unstructured ground without falling or breaking. Think for example of a mountain goat jumping from one rock to another. The algorithms that you will develop will implement precise leg motions, while at the same time preserving the physical intelligence of the quadruped. In analogy to how the central nervous system controls the animal body, we aim at making this possible by integrating a-priori information coming from models and learning strategies.

You will collaborate with researchers from the NI consortium (University of Pisa, ETH, Imperial College of London, CSIC, Kingston University, ISPRA), with the goal of reaching full validation of the proposed algorithms in a real natural environment before the end of the project.

You have a PhD degree (or close to finish) in robotics, artificial intelligence, machine learning, applied mathematics, or a related subject.

Tackling the challenging goals discussed in the Job Description requires a unique combination of algorithmic/theoretical and experimental skills. Research experience in at least one of the following fields is mandatory:

• Robot locomotion;
• Reinforcement learning;
• Deep Learning;
• Articulated Soft Robotics.

A basic understanding of the others is greatly appreciated, as well as experience with   real robot applications, managing younger researchers, and good programming skills.

You must be able to conduct high-quality research according to international standards, as demonstrated by publications in international, high-quality journals. Excellent verbal and written English communication skills are required.

Fixed-term contract: 2 years.

Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities (salary indication: € 3.548 - € 4.474). The TU Delft offers a customisable compensation package, a discount on health insurance and sport memberships, and a monthly work costs contribution. Flexible work schedules can be arranged.

For international applicants we offer the Coming to Delft Service and Partner Career Advice to assist you with your relocation. An International Children's Centre offers childcare and there is an international primary school.

This postdoc position has a fixed-term contract of 2 years.

Delft University of Technology

Delft University of Technology is built on strong foundations. As creators of the world-famous Dutch waterworks and pioneers in biotech, TU Delft is a top international university combining science, engineering and design. It delivers world class results in education, research and innovation to address challenges in the areas of energy, climate, mobility, health and digital society. For generations, our engineers have proven to be entrepreneurial problem-solvers, both in business and in a social context. At TU Delft we embrace diversity and aim to be as inclusive as possible (see our Code of Conduct). Together, we imagine, invent and create solutions using technology to have a positive impact on a global scale.

Challenge. Change. Impact! 

Faculty Mechanical, Maritime and Materials Engineering

The Faculty of 3mE carries out pioneering research, leading to new fundamental insights and challenging applications in the field of mechanical engineering. From large-scale energy storage, medical instruments, control technology and robotics to smart materials, nanoscale structures and autonomous ships. The foundations and results of this research are reflected in outstanding, contemporary education, inspiring students and PhD candidates to become socially engaged and responsible engineers and scientists. The faculty of 3mE is a dynamic and innovative faculty with an international scope and high-tech lab facilities. Research and education focus on the design, manufacture, application and modification of products, materials, processes and mechanical devices, contributing to the development and growth of a sustainable society, as well as prosperity and welfare.

Click here to go to the website of the Faculty of Mechanical, Maritime and Materials Engineering. Do you want to experience working at our faculty? This video will introduce you to some of our researchers and their work.