The Department of Engineering Cybernetics at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) invites applications for a PhD position focused on unified autonomy across robot configurations. This research aims to develop a universal architectural blueprint for robotic autonomy that can operate across diverse robot morphologies, including aerial, ground, and aquatic domains. The project draws inspiration from the conserved neural organization of the mammalian brain and leverages advances in foundation models, neural model predictive control, and robotic world models to create a shared autonomy architecture generalizable across embodiments.

The successful candidate will join the Autonomous Robots Lab (ARL) under the supervision of Professor Konstantinos Alexis and will be part of the Norwegian Centre for Embodied AI (NCEI), a national AI center uniting leading robotics and AI groups in Norway. The NCEI collaborates with industry, public sector, and global institutions to advance the science of embodied intelligence, focusing on how intelligence emerges from the interaction between body, computation, and environment. The mission is to enable new generations of physical AI systems tailored to their operational environments and missions.

Key duties include fundamental research in embodied AI, development of unified autonomy architectures, implementation of onboard robotic autonomy methods, experimental deployments, and field evaluations. The candidate will also participate in international conferences, collaborate with researchers across NTNU, and supervise master's thesis students. The position offers a dynamic, international research environment with world-class facilities and strong professional development support.

Eligibility: Applicants must hold a Master's degree in cybernetics, control systems, or a closely related field, with strong training in robotics, computer vision, or machine learning. A strong academic record (B or better on the NTNU scale) is required. Preferred qualifications include expertise in robot perception, navigation, modern machine learning, programming (C++ and Python), ROS, robotic simulators, and mathematical formalism. Proficiency in English is essential. Personal qualities such as scientific curiosity, independence, persistence, flexibility, and teamwork are highly valued.

Funding: The position offers a gross annual salary of NOK 550,800, with a 2% contribution to the State Pension Fund. The employment period is 3 years, and the position is conditional on external funding.

Application Process: Applications must be submitted electronically via Jobbnorge.no and include transcripts and diplomas, CV, a motivation letter, and contact information for at least two referees. All documents should be in Norwegian, a Scandinavian language, or English. Only applications received by the deadline (1 February 2026) will be considered.

NTNU is committed to diversity and encourages applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of gender, background, or career interruptions. The university offers a supportive work environment, career guidance, and access to employee benefits. The position is based in Trondheim, a vibrant city known for its technology sector, cultural scene, and high quality of life.