The Research Institute for Cognition and Robotics (CoR-Lab) has the following job opening: 
Employment is conducive to scientific qualification and provides the opportunity for further academic development.
Research Position (m/f/d) CAVECORE
ID: Wiss25486
- starting: as soon as possible
- Vollzeit
- salary according to Remuneration level 13 TV-L
- befristet
CAVECORE (Continuous, Automated Validation, and Evaluation of Cognitive Robots in Open-Ended Environments) is a Marie Sklodowska-Curie Doctoral Network that trains the next generation of researchers to advance cognitive robotics—robots that can interact, learn, and adapt in open-ended real-world environments. The network addresses one of the central challenges in AI-enabled robotics: evaluating and validating the quality, safety, and reliability of such robots in a systematic and trustworthy manner. In addition, 2 secondments in CAVECORE partner institutions are planned.
The specific doctoral topic DC5 is named “Reliable Integration of Safety-Constraints into the Learning Process of Collaborative Robots”. The goal is to integrate Reinforcement Learning and Imitation Learning approaches for acquiring complex robotic manipulation skills in collaborative settings while ensuring compliance with functional safety regulations.
Please note that, in accordance with the requirements of the third-party funding provider, only applicants who have spent a maximum of 12 months in Germany during the past three years can be considered.
The specific doctoral topic DC5 is named “Reliable Integration of Safety-Constraints into the Learning Process of Collaborative Robots”. The goal is to integrate Reinforcement Learning and Imitation Learning approaches for acquiring complex robotic manipulation skills in collaborative settings while ensuring compliance with functional safety regulations.
Please note that, in accordance with the requirements of the third-party funding provider, only applicants who have spent a maximum of 12 months in Germany during the past three years can be considered.
Your Tasks
- studying safe and reliable AI-robotics systems (20 %)
- development of a framework that integrates reinforcement learning and imitation learning approaches for acquiring complex robotic manipulation skills (20 %)
- ensuring compliance with functional safety regulations, e. g. collision avoidance (15 %)
- incorporating validity concepts for machine learning methods and utilize safety techniques such as shielding to meet safety-critical requirements (15 %)
- integration of a fast, reactive digital twin (DT), leveraging co-simulation to anticipate and prevent unsafe scenarios in real-time (15 %)
- enabling proactive behavioral adjustments and sim-to-real skill development (10 %)
- publishing results in scientific conferences and journals (5 %)
Employment is conducive to scientific qualification and provides the opportunity for further academic development.
Your Profile
We expect
- completed scientific academic degree in a technical field of study
- programming skills in Python
- robotics knowledge
- knowledge of AI/ML
- pursuit of a doctorate
- cooperative and team-oriented approach to work
- independent, self-reliant and committed approach to work
- ability to present results
Preferred experience and skills
- knowledge of simulations (e. g. MuJoCo, IsaacSim)
- knowledge of functional safety
- knowledge of image processing
We offer
- salary according to Remuneration level 13 TV-L
- befristet (3 years) (§ 2 (1) sentence 1 of the WissZeitVG; in accordance with the provisions of the WissZeitVG and the Agreement on Satisfactory Conditions of Employment, the length of contract may differ in individual cases)
- Vollzeit
- internal and external training opportunities
- amount of health, consulting and prevention services
- reconcilability of family and working life
- constant place of work (Bielefeld) without travel activities
- flexible working hours
- supplementary company pension
Application Procedure
We are looking forward to receiving your application. To apply, please preferably use our online form via the application button below.
application deadline: 14.12.2025
Contact
Prof. Dr. rer. nat. Klaus Neumann
+49 521 106-67750
klaus.neumann@uni-bielefeld.de
Postal Address
Universität Bielefeld
Faculty of Technology
Prof. Dr. rer. nat. Klaus Neumann
Postfach 10 01 31
33501 Bielefeld
Prof. Dr. rer. nat. Klaus Neumann
+49 521 106-67750
klaus.neumann@uni-bielefeld.de
Postal Address
Universität Bielefeld
Faculty of Technology
Prof. Dr. rer. nat. Klaus Neumann
Postfach 10 01 31
33501 Bielefeld
Bielefeld University has received a number of awards for its achievements as an equal-opportunity employer and has been
recognized as a family-friendly university. The university welcomes applications from women. This is particularly true with regard
both to academic and technical posts as well as positions in information technology as well as the skilled crafts and trades.
Applications are handled according to the provisions of the state statutes on equal opportunity. Applications from suitably qualified
handicapped and severely handicapped persons are explicitly encouraged.
At Bielefeld University on request positions can be carried out with reduced working hours as long as this does not conflict with official needs.
