Fully Funded PhD Positions in Cognitive Robotics, AI, and Validation (Marie Curie CAVECORE Network)

The Marie Skłodowska-Curie Doctoral Network CAVECORE is offering three fully funded PhD positions in the field of Cognitive Robotics, focusing on the continuous, automated validation and evaluation of cognitive robots in open-ended environments. The network brings together leading academic and industry partners across Europe, including Universität Bremen, University of Bielefeld, Cyprus University of Technology, Laboratoire National de Métrologie et d’Essais (France), and others. The research topics span the development of novel methods for evaluating and validating the safety, reliability, and performance of AI-enabled robots, integrating robotics and AI (manipulation, control, human-robot interaction) with advanced validation techniques such as automated testing, diagnosis, and AI metrology. Doctoral candidates will benefit from interdisciplinary training, hands-on experience through secondments at partner institutions, and exposure to both academic and industrial environments. The positions are fully funded for 36 months, with an attractive salary and comprehensive training as per MSCA regulations. The research themes include: methodology for generic evaluation of intelligent collaborative robotic systems, integrating behavioral specification and automated validation for explainable autonomy in collaborative robotics, and multi-modal uncertainty quantification and management of AI. Eligibility criteria include compliance with the MSCA mobility rule (not having resided or carried out main activity in the host country for more than 12 months in the past 36 months), not already holding a doctoral degree, and holding a Master’s degree (or equivalent) in a relevant field such as Robotics, Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Software Engineering, Cognitive Science, or related disciplines. Applications must be submitted in English and include a completed application form, CV, cover letter, references, transcripts, and any additional certificates. The deadline for applications is 09 February 2026, and the start date is March 2026. For more information, visit the official CAVECORE website or contact the consortium via the provided emails. This is an excellent opportunity for motivated candidates interested in advancing the field of cognitive robotics, AI, and validation methodologies within a dynamic, international research network.