Postdoctoral Researcher in Robot Learning

The Mobile Robotics Lab at ETH Zürich pushes the limits of robot intelligence: how can we design robot policies with a better understanding of the world humans live in?

We are looking for a postdoctoral researcher in Robot Learning who is interested in questions such as:

• How can we fuse representations of the world with modern learning-based methods to allow for larger scale / longer horizon?
• How can we use Foundation Models, VLMs, VLAs, and robot learning for complex and long-horizon tasks that involve manipulation, locomotion, and navigation in potentially unstructured and large-scale environments?

We investigate these questions on a number of real-world robots such as the Unitree G1 humanoid, Stretch 3, and drones.

The Mobile Robotics Lab has various running research projects in the fields of:

• Robot Learning
• Spatial AI
• Robot Perception
• Mobile Manipulation
• Navigation and Exploration

Job description

• Lead and shape an independent research agenda in mobile robotics, pioneering the use of modern learning-based methods such as but not limited to Foundation Models, VLMs, and VLA architectures for embodied intelligence
• Supervise and enable high-impact research on the lab’s humanoid platform (Unitree G1), pushing the boundaries of sim-to-real transfer and semantic reasoning
• Secure external funding (with strong institutional support) and build collaborations within the ETH ecosystem
• Co-supervise PhD and Master’s students, fostering a culture of technical excellence and ambitious experimentation
• Participate in teaching activities, including the development of new teaching materials in robotics, perception, and autonomous systems

Profile

• PhD in Robotics, Computer Science, or a related field with impactful publications in top-tier venues (CORL, ICRA, RSS, NeurIPS, CVPR, etc.)
• Expert knowledge in modern Robot Learning
• Well-versed in Python, C++ and modern tools such as IsaacLab, PyTorch, etc
• Visionary Drive: You are highly motivated, self-driven, and eager to lead a team toward a "bigger picture" mission. You don’t just want to publish; you want to solve robotics
• Excellent communication skills and a desire to mentor the next generation of researchers

We offer

• Work on cutting edge research in collaboration with academic and industrial partners
• A collaborative, multidisciplinary team bridging research theory and robotics in the real world
• Modern lab facilities and flexible conditions within a leading-edge research environment
• We promote diversity through flexible working hours and the possibility of part-time arrangements

We value diversity and sustainability

In line with our values, ETH Zurich encourages an inclusive culture. We promote equality of opportunity, value diversity and nurture a working and learning environment in which the rights and dignity of all our staff and students are respected. Sustainability is a core value for us - we are consistently working towards a climate-neutral future.

Curious? So are we.

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

• CV
• Transcripts including relevant publications
• Motivation letter
• References

Questions regarding the position should be directed to Isabella De Nitti, isabella.denitti@mrl.ethz.ch (no applications).

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

Apply online now