Research Position (m/f/d) in collaborative robotics

The Faculty of Technology has the following job opening:

ID: Wiss25487

starting: as soon as possible
Vollzeit
salary according to Remuneration level 13 TV-L
befristet

AI-powered robotics is rapidly advancing and increasingly helping small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) deploy highly flexible automation in challenging settings such as high-mix, low-volume production. Perception of cluttered, dynamic environments remains difficult, but recent progress in foundation models operating on camera, depth cameras, and LiDAR data is making it more and more feasible. Combined with large language models (LLMs), robots are beginning to exhibit elements of grounded common-sense reasoning and task planning. The goal of this PhD project is to develop and rigorously evaluate new perception capabilities for AI-powered robotics operating with deep reinforcement learning (DRL) capabilities in industrial automation.

investigate multimodal robot perception across complementary sensor modalities (e. g. RGB cameras, depth cameras, LiDAR, ultrasonic sensors, laser scanners) (20 %)
focus on bidirectional sim-to-real and real-to-sim integration with dynamic digital twins (20 %)
use the resulting perception stack as a key component in robot-learning based on deep reinforcement learning (15 %)
publishing on highly ranked international conferences and high-impact journals (15 %)
presenting results to a broader audience, SMEs, and the scientific community (10 %)
participate in industrial projects (20 %)

Employment is conducive to scientific qualification and provides the opportunity for further academic development.

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

Your Profile

We expect

completed scientific academic degree (e. g. Master's degree or equivalent) in a technical field of study
programming skills in Python
robotics knowledge
knowledge of image processing
knowledge of AI/ML
cooperative and team-oriented approach to working
independent, self-reliant and committed style of work
ability to present results
interest in interdisciplinary scientific collaboration
very good written and spoken English skills

Preferred experience and skills

knowledge of simulations (e. g. MuJoCo, IsaacSim)
knowledge of large language models

We are looking forward to receiving your application. To apply, please preferably use our online form via the application button below.

application deadline: 31.12.2025

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

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.

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