PhD Position in Hardware-Aware Control Algorithms for Robot Reflexes (DECIDE Group, Ghent University) Ghent University in Belgium

Ghent University invites applications for a fully funded PhD position in the DECIDE research group of IDLab, focusing on hardware-aware control algorithms for robot reflexes. The DECIDE group specializes in Distributed and Embodied Computing in Dynamic Environments, with research spanning generative AI for robotic planning, cognitive control, distributed perception, and hardware-software co-design. The group’s work is applied across sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing, and remote sensing. For more about the team, visit https://decide.ugent.be.

Project Overview: As robots increasingly operate in dynamic environments shared with humans, safety and rapid response become critical. This PhD project aims to design distributed control algorithms for real-time robot operation, focusing on low-latency reflexes that enable robots to react immediately to tactile stimuli. The research emphasizes hardware-algorithm co-design, optimizing algorithms for deployment on hardware accelerators, from conventional embedded systems to emerging platforms like probabilistic computing. The outcomes will inform the architectural requirements for next-generation robotic hardware.

Role and Responsibilities: The doctoral fellow will collaborate closely with IDLab-AIRO (robotics experts) and imec. Key tasks include literature review on decentralized control and machine learning for embedded platforms, designing and simulating high-performance controllers, mapping algorithms to hardware, integrating controllers into physical prototypes, and publishing in top journals and conferences. The fellow will also contribute to teaching and mentoring within the department, supporting courses in machine learning, reinforcement learning, and algorithm design, and supervising bachelor and master theses.

Eligibility: Applicants must hold (or be about to obtain) a European master's degree in Computer Science or Electronics Engineering with excellent ('honors'-level or above) grades. Required skills include a strong foundation in control theory, deep learning, or computer architecture, and demonstrable interest or experience in mapping algorithms onto embedded hardware. Analytical skills, teamwork, communication abilities, and fluency in English are essential.

Funding and Benefits: The position offers a full-time doctoral fellowship for up to 48 months (initial 12 months, renewable upon positive evaluation). The fellowship provides 100% of the net salary of an AAP member, determined by family status and seniority, and is tax-free. Staff benefits include extensive training opportunities, 36 days of annual leave, bicycle allowance, and eco vouchers. Research will be conducted at IDLab in Ghent, a vibrant and international academic environment. Ghent University is consistently ranked among the world’s top 100 universities, and the city of Ghent offers a rich cultural and social life (see more).

Application Process: Apply online at this link. Required documents: academic/professional resume, transcripts with percentile, and a brief overview of previous research or technical work (e.g., papers, GitHub, thesis, project reports). For questions, contact Prof. Pieter Simoens at [email protected]. Applications are reviewed continuously until the position is filled; selected candidates will be invited for interviews (in-person or via Teams).