The Idiap Research Institute is offering a fully funded PhD position within the Robot Learning & Interaction group. This role is part of the collaborative DECOR project, supported by the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) and the Croatian Science Foundation (HRZZ).
PhD Student (Doctoral Researcher) in Ergodic Control for Robotics, Switzerland
Role Overview
| Attribute | Details |
| Designation | PhD Student / Doctoral Researcher |
| Research Area | Ergodic Control for Robotics |
| Location | Martigny, Switzerland |
| Contract Type | Temporary (48 months), Full-time |
Research Focus
The research centers on Ergodic control and automatic exploration/coverage for robotics applications, specifically:
- Robot manipulation: Surface finishing, painting, and spraying.
- Aerial robots: Search and rescue operations.
Eligibility & Qualifications
- Education: Master’s degree in Robotics, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, AI, or a related field.
- Skills: Interest in optimal control, model-based optimization, and robot learning from small datasets.
- Experience: Eagerness to work with real robots and Python software components (previous practical experience is a plus).
- Languages: Advanced proficiency in English.
Job Description & Benefits
- Funding: Fully funded PhD position with a highly competitive salary.
- Affiliation: Enrollment through the EPFL EDEE doctoral program.
- Environment: Work in a dynamic, multicultural research environment in a scenic region of Switzerland.
- Collaboration: Opportunity to work on the DECOR project in partnership with the University of Rijeka, Croatia.
How to Apply
Interested candidates should submit their application via the official recruitment portal. You will need to provide:
- Resume (CV)
- Cover Letter
- Contact details for three referees
Important Dates
- Application Screening Starts: July 15, 2026
