Obtaining accurate and comprehensive information from a complex scene is one of the most important and relevant problems in robotics. Yet extremely challenging. When robots are deployed in dynamic environments, they need to be aware of their surroundings to discern friend from foe, or to separate important events that require their immediate attention from those secondary and non-essential. Our goal is to develop novel motion planning and coordination methods for distributed information gathering and high-level scene reasoning with a large team of heterogeneous robots equipped with limited sensing and communication capabilities.

This vacancy is part of the program “Distributed​ ​high-level​ ​scene​ ​reasoning with​ ​teams​ ​of​ ​heterogeneous​ ​robots”, which is funded by the Office of Naval Research Global (ONRG). Collaboration with our partners in the project, namely Prof. E. Montijano (U. Zaragoza), Prof. M. Schwager (Stanford) and Prof. D. Rus (MIT) is expected. Cross collaborations also exist with the Amsterdam Institute for Advanced Metropolitan Solutions and other researchers from the TU Delft Robotics Institute. For a glimpse of our research see http://www.alonsomora.com/research.html.

The candidate has a very good MSc degree in robotics, systems and control, applied mathematics, artificial intelligence, machine learning, mechanical/electrical engineering, computer science, or a related field. The candidate must have strong analytical skills and must be able to work at the intersection of several research domains. A very good command of the English language is required, as well as excellent communication skills. Candidates having exhibited their ability to perform research in robotics, or in probabilistic planning and decision-making, are especially encouraged to apply.

Fixed-term contract: 4 years.

TU Delft offers a customisable compensation package, a discount for health insurance and sport memberships, and a monthly work costs contribution. Flexible work schedules can be arranged. An International Children’s Centre offers childcare and an international primary school. Dual Career Services offers support to accompanying partners. Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities.

As a PhD candidate you will be enrolled in the TU Delft Graduate School. TU Delft Graduate School provides an inspiring research environment; an excellent team of supervisors, academic staff and a mentor; and a Doctoral Education Programme aimed at developing your transferable, discipline-related and research skills. Please visit http://www.tudelft.nl/phd for more information.

Delft University of Technology

Delft University of Technology (TU Delft) is a multifaceted institution offering education and carrying out research in the technical sciences at an internationally recognised level. Education, research and design are strongly oriented towards applicability. TU Delft develops technologies for future generations, focusing on sustainability, safety and economic vitality. At TU Delft you will work in an environment where technical sciences and society converge. TU Delft comprises eight faculties, unique laboratories, research institutes and schools.

https://www.tudelft.nl

Faculty Mechanical, Maritime and Materials Engineering

The 3mE Faculty trains committed engineering students, PhD candidates and post-doctoral researchers in groundbreaking scientific research in the fields of mechanical, maritime and materials engineering. 3mE is the epitome of a dynamic, innovative faculty, with a European scope that contributes demonstrable economic and social benefits.

You will be part of the Autonomous Multi-Robots Lab (https://www.alonsomora.com), within the Cognitive Robotics department. The main focus of the Cognitive Robotics department is the development of intelligent robots and vehicles that will advance mobility, productivity and quality of life. Our mission is to bring robotic solutions to human-inhabited environments, focusing on research in the areas of machine perception, motion planning and control, machine learning, automatic control and physical interaction of intelligent machines with humans. We combine fundamental research with work on physical demonstrators in areas such as self-driving vehicles, collaborative industrial robots, mobile manipulators and haptic interfaces. Strong collaborations exist with cross-faculty institutes TU Delft Robotics Institute and TU Delft Transport Institute), our national robotic ecosystem (RoboValley, Holland Robotics) and international industry and academia. www.cor.tudelft.nl/

https://www.tudelft.nl/en/3me