This project focuses on “dexterous cooperation”, i.e., a robot and a human co-worker jointly transporting and/or assembling objects (e.g., stacking boxes, changing a tire). The scientific challenges range from communicating intentions (e.g., on the robot side via force guidance or speech and via touch or gestures on the human side), learning to anticipate human behaviors and extracting movement goals, to actually learning how to best physically collaborate with the human. Applicable techniques include reinforcement learning, imitation learning, interactive learning, model learning, incorporating prior knowledge, scene understanding and prediction, planning, movement primitives, hybrid force-position control, etc.

The exact research topic can be adapted to the candidate’s background and interests.

The PostDoc will be supervised jointly by HRI-EU and TU Delft. The working location will be both TU Delft (Delft, The Netherlands) and HRI-EU (Offenbach am Main, Germany), the split will be decided upon in consultation with the candidate.

We are looking for a candidate with a PhD degree in systems and control, robotics, applied mathematics, artificial intelligence, machine learning, or a related subject. The candidate must have strong analytical skills and must be able to work at the intersection of several research domains. Experience with real robot applications is a plus. The applicant should have demonstrated ability to conduct high-quality research according to international standards, as demonstrated by publications in international, high-quality journals. A very good command of the English language is required, as well as excellent communication skills.

Fixed-term contract: 2 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. 

TU Delft creates equal opportunities and encourages women to apply.  

Technische Universiteit Delft

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.

Faculty Mechanical, Maritime and Materials Engineering

The faculty Mechanical, Maritime and Materials Engineering (3mE) 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. https://www.tudelft.nl/en/3me 

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. http://www.cor.tudelft.nl/ 

The vision of the Honda Research Institutes (HRI) is to contribute to society's future by pursuing emerging technologies of the 21st century. Honda is the largest engine manufacturer in the world - HRI is proud to be part of the engines of innovation behind the “Power of Dreams”. The three Honda Research Institutes in Japan, in the United States and in Europe collaborate closely with their respective local scientific communities. Each contributes its specific expertise to the Honda science-technology-science circle reflecting their determination to break the traditional chain of innovation and to realize new structures for new challenges. Research in Intelligent Systems is at the center of the Honda Research Institute Europe (HRI-EU) www.honda-ri.de . Intelligent systems will shape our future in a variety of forms, ranging from accident-free mobility to cognitive robotics and from smart process management to the efficient use of resources. Intelligence is necessary to handle complexity in products and in processes.