Postdoctoral Researcher in Robot Shared Control for Autonomous Navigation

Postdoctoral Researcher in Robot Shared Control for Autonomous Navigation

80%-100%, Zurich, fixed-term

Are you a highly motivated and enthusiastic researcher or engineer looking to make a difference in the field of Embodied AI for Robotics and assistive devices? Join us at the Spinal Cord Injury Artificial Intelligence - SCAI Lab at ETH Zurich.

Our team of clinical and research scientists is dedicated to improving the long-term prognosis of Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) through new healthcare systems using physiological and clinical data analysis. We are excited to embark on a new project that will bring us closer to delivering freedom of motion through novel personal mobility solutions.

This position is open for a postdoctoral researcher in the field of perception for autonomous robot navigation or mobile robot control in complex environments The focus of this work will be on achieving fast and efficient scene understanding for navigation in highly dynamic environments and shared control navigation.

Apart from actively shaping our group's research, the positions include international collaborations with academia and industry, mentoring MSc, and PhD students, and the potential for transitioning to work with our robotics industrial partner.

Dr Diego Paez-Granados in collaboration with Prof. Robert Riener (SMS Lab) will supervise the successful researcher.

The position is fully funded for 1 year with yearly renewal possible. Ideal starting date: July 2024 (or shortly thereafter).

Project background

In this project, we are focused on advancing scene understanding through onboard sensing, enabling real-time evaluation of the environment for full autonomy and shared control with dynamic path planning. Our goal is to leverage advanced real-time sensor fusion for human modelling for personal mobility devices to achieve highly reactive shared control at different levels of autonomy.

As a team member, you will experience a range of exciting challenges, including multimodal data analysis, developing innovative technologies, and collaborating with leading experts in the field.

You will be based at ETH Zurich and collaborate with the team at the Swiss Paraplegic Center (SPZ) in Nottwil.

Job description

As the team lead for this exciting project, you will have the opportunity to work with a group of researchers to investigate the most efficient methods for sensor data fusion, training new algorithms for improving state-of-the-art scene understanding and tracking for accurate navigation in complex scenarios.

You will investigate scene understanding for shared control navigation with a novel personal mobility device developed specifically for close interaction with pedestrians and narrow spaces. Advanced scene understanding from onboard sensing should allow real-time evaluation of the environment for shared control with dynamic obstacle avoidance and planning.

If you are a highly motivated and creative individual with a passion for innovation, we want to hear from you.

Join us and help shape the future of shared control navigation and personal mobility devices.

Your profile

You have outstanding experience in mechatronics systems, and control with a PhD degree from a university in Computer Science, Robotics, Mechanical Engineering, or related fields, with a proven track record in robot navigation control or deep learning optimization for sensor fusion.

• Highly motivated, self-driven, and shows excellent performance.
• You have first-rate oral and written English skills and an interest in writing are required.
• Adaptable and flexible to the continuous changes associated with research demands.
• Strong robotics experience (ROS) for mobile systems, either in navigation, localization or control (preferred)
• Confirmed publication on some of the methodological areas of interest: mobile robots, multi-sensing fusion, time series modelling, or computer vision.
• Strong practical skills in field robotic systems.
• Strong experience with good coding practices in C/C++/C# and Python.

Your workplace

Your workplace

We offer

This is a unique opportunity to be at the forefront of cutting-edge research in AI embodied for robots, working with state-of-the-art technology and collaborating with some of the brightest minds in the field. If you are a highly motivated and creative individual with a passion for innovation, we want to hear from you. Join us and help shape the future of shared control navigation and personal mobility devices.

We offer a full-time research position (100%) with a competitive salary in accordance with ETH standards.

The work location is at ETH Zurich with flexibility for remote work.

We value diversity

Curious? So are we.

We look forward to receiving your online application with the following documents:

• CV (2 pages max),
• Statement of interests and profile match (1 page), with title: "User-Centric Control for Assistive Robotics"
• One of your publications on a related topic and linked to a code sample,
• Names and contact information of 2 references,

Applications will be processed regularly until the position is filled.

Please note that we exclusively accept applications submitted through our online application portal. Applications via email or postal services will not be considered.

Further information about HEST can be found on our website. Questions regarding the position should be submitted to Dr. Diego Paez, Email Write an email (no applications).

About ETH Zürich

Curious? So are we.

We look forward to receiving your online application with the following documents:

• CV (2 pages max),
• Statement of interests and profile match (1 page), with title: "User-Centric Control for Assistive Robotics"
• One of your publications on a related topic and linked to a code sample,
• Names and contact information of 2 references,

Applications will be processed regularly until the position is filled.

Please note that we exclusively accept applications submitted through our online application portal. Applications via email or postal services will not be considered.

Further information about HEST can be found on our website. Questions regarding the position should be submitted to Dr. Diego Paez, Email Write an email (no applications).