PhD Position Bio-inspired Aerial Perching with Drones for Wildlife Conservation

This research enables drones to perch like birds, using novel sensing to land, rest, and collect environmental data efficiently, extending mission duration in natural, unstructured settings.

Job description
We are seeking a motivated PhD candidate to join a multidisciplinary project at the intersection of Robotics and wildlife conservation. The project aims to develop autonomous drones capable of perching on natural structures, inspired by the way birds rest on branches, enabling energy-efficient, quiet, and long-duration monitoring of ecosystems. The research will integrate novel lightweight perception modalities for robust perching in the wild, agile control algorithms, and environmental interaction strategies to support wildlife observation and sampling in natural habitats.

As part of the project, the PhD will interface with 11 PhDs from other disciplines, partecipate in field campaigns in Kenya, as well as dissemination and teaching activities. This PhD position is fully funded for 4 years.

About the Wildbotics project:

Wildbotics is a Marie-Curie Doctoral Network Program that employs 12 PhD candidates in 10 different countries in Europe. The overarching aim of WildBotics is to advance the digital revolution of nature conservation by integrating robotics, computer science, and conservation ecology, with autonomous robots as a unifying platform. The Doctoral Candidates will form an interdisciplinary network of researchers working across European, develop new autonomous systems (innovation in robotics), enhance sensor and software capabilities (innovation in computer science), and combine these to enable large-scale automated sampling to complement vision-based data in complex field settings (innovation in ecology).

Each of the 12 candidates will conduct research based in one of the three main subject areas of WildBotics: (i) Robot system design for nature conservation, (ii) Autonomy, perception and AI for complex natural environments and (iii) Analysis of large, sample-based datasets for wildlife ecology & biodiversity conservation. The candidates will work together within the WildBotics network and engage in multi-disciplinary training-by-research to develop technology in close collaboration with end-users around the world.

More information on the project is available here.

About the research lab:

The successful candidate will join the Biomorphic Intelligence Lab at TU Delft’s Faculty of Aerospace Engineering in the Netherlands. The lab focuses on the design and control of drones to enable physical interaction with their surroundings, powered by new concepts of bodily intelligence.

More information about the lab is available here.

Job requirements
Qualifications:

• Master degree in Robotics or Aerial Robotics.
• Strong programming skills (Python, C++, ROS).
• Excellent written and spoken English.
• Independent approach to work in research demonstrated by self-led projects.
• Availability to join field testing in Kenya.
• Experience with operating drones is desireable, but not essential.
• Interest in wildlife conservation and ecological applications.
• Ability to work independently and in interdisciplinary teams.

Eligibility requirment to join this MSCN project:

No residence or main activity (work, studies etc.) in the country of the recruiting beneficiary (The Netherlands) for more than 12 months in the 36 months before their recruitment date.

TU Delft
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 as one of our core values and we actively engage to be a university where you feel at home and can flourish. We value different perspectives and qualities. We believe this makes our work more innovative, the TU Delft community more vibrant and the world more just. Together, we imagine, invent and create solutions using technology to have a positive impact on a global scale. That is why we invite you to apply. Your application will receive fair consideration.

Challenge. Change. Impact!

Faculty Aerospace Engineering
The Faculty of Aerospace Engineering at Delft University of Technology is a leading international community where innovation in aerospace meets global challenges. Our support and scientific staff, including PhD candidates, postdocs, and students, largely work together on three main themes: the energy transition, sustainable aerospace, and safety and security, with the aim of tackling climate change and contributing to the independence and security of Europe.

When you join us, you become part of a diverse, collaborative, and forward-thinking environment where your ideas and perspectives are valued. Our work extends beyond the lab—into field labs, innovation hubs, and partnerships with other faculties, research institutes, governments, and industry, both locally and globally.

We are committed to fostering an inclusive and welcoming workplace, assisted by an active Diversity & Inclusion team. This includes tangible support such as funding for extra personnel for family and caregiving responsibilities, mentoring programmes, and initiatives that promote cultural exchange and integration.

You don’t just join our faculty — you join a community where you can thrive, grow, and help shape the future of aerospace.

Click here to go to the website of the Faculty of Aerospace Engineering.

Conditions of employment
You can read more about the Employment Conditions here.

Additional information
Please note that the recruitment for this vacancy goes via an external partner. For questions about the general recruitment and selection process, please contact jobs@fbk.eu. For technical questions about the WildBotics project, please contact the project coordinator remondino@fbk.eu.

Application procedure
Are you interested in this vacancy? Please apply no later than 7 January 2026 via this button and upload the following documents:

• Detailed CV (including contact information to 2-3 references and list of publications if relevant)
• A two-page motivation letter: one page general motivation for WildBotics and one page motivating your interest in this PhD vacancy (Wildbotics DC4)
• Certificates / Diplomas (MSc)
• Scientific writing sample (e.g. publication or thesis chapter)

You can address your application to Salua Hamaza. The recruitment procedure will be divided into two stages. In the first stage, recruitment committees for each subject area will evaluate candidate qualifications based on the application materials. All candidates will be informed whether they advance to stage two. In the second stage, project supervisors will evaluate the remaining candidates for their projects, and the top candidates will be invited for online interviews. References for the leading candidates will be contacted at this stage. Interviews are tentatively expected to be held in February 2026.

Doing a PhD at TU Delft requires English proficiency at a certain level to ensure that the candidate is able to communicate and interact well, participate in English-taught Doctoral Education courses, and write scientific articles and a final thesis. For more details please check the Graduate Schools Admission Requirements.

Please note:

• You can apply online. We will not process applications sent by email and/or post.
• As part of knowledge security, TU Delft conducts a risk assessment during the recruitment of personnel. We do this, among other things, to prevent the unwanted transfer of sensitive knowledge and technology. The assessment is based on information provided by the candidates themselves, such as their motivation letter and CV, and takes place at the final stages of the selection process. When the outcome of the assessment is negative, the candidate will be informed. The processing of personal data in the context of the risk assessment is carried out on the legal basis of the GDPR: performing a public task in the public interest. You can find more information about this assessment on our website about knowledge security.
• Applying for an exemption for specific research and educational areas is an obligatory part of the selection procedure for this vacancy. This exemption must be obtained from the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science (OCW) before an employment contract is agreed upon. Click here for more information.
• Please do not contact us for unsolicited services