ETH Zurich
6 days ago
Postdoctoral Positions in Robot Learning and Soft, Musculoskeletal, and Biohybrid Robotics at ETH Zurich ETH Zurich in Switzerland
Degree Level
Postdoc
Field of study
Computer Science
Funding
Initial one-year contract, renewed annually; most postdocs stay two to four years. Salary is on the ETH Zurich postdoctoral salary scale. The lab states it will support independent funding applications such as SNSF Ambizione, Postdoc.Mobility, ERC Starting Grant, or Marie Skłodowska-Curie fellowship.
Deadline
Nov 30, 2026
Country
Switzerland
University
ETH Zurich
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About this position
ETH Zurich’s Soft Robotics Lab in the Institute of Robotics and Intelligent Systems is recruiting several postdoctoral researchers in robot learning, soft robotics, musculoskeletal robotics, and biohybrid robotics.
The lab works across four closely connected directions: compliant and musculoskeletal robot design, biohybrid living systems and tissue engineering, dexterous manipulation and learning for contact-rich tasks, and simulation/fabrication for embodied AI. Candidates may focus on building mechanisms and actuators, developing policies for real robots, or working in biological laboratories on cultured and bioprinted tissue actuators.
The position is based at ETH Zurich in Switzerland. It is a fixed-term postdoctoral appointment with an initial one-year contract, typically renewed annually. The salary follows the ETH Zurich postdoctoral salary scale. The lab also supports fellows who want to pursue independent funding such as SNSF Ambizione, Postdoc.Mobility, ERC Starting Grant, or Marie Skłodowska-Curie.
Applicants should have a completed PhD in a relevant field such as mechanical engineering, robotics, mechatronics, electrical engineering, computer science, materials science, or bioengineering. Strong experience in one or more of the following is expected: CAD, FEA, 3D printing, machining, molding, electronics, motor control, robot integration, machine learning and control for physical robots, soft or bio-inspired materials and actuators, tissue engineering and biofabrication, or physics-based simulation. The lab especially values candidates who have taken a system or method from concept to validated real-world results, have peer-reviewed publications, can mentor students, and communicate well in English.
Research themes include imitation learning, diffusion policies, reinforcement learning, sim-to-real transfer, tactile and vision-based representations, controllable dexterous world models, compliant hardware, and biofabrication. The lab emphasizes open-source hardware and code, real-world experimentation, and interdisciplinary collaboration across hardware, biology, and machine learning.
Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis until 2026-11-30. To apply, submit one merged PDF through the online portal only. The PDF should include a cover letter addressed to Prof. Robert Katzschmann, a detailed CV with publications and final grades, contact information for at least three references, and two or three representative publications or your thesis.
Funding details
Initial one-year contract, renewed annually; most postdocs stay two to four years. Salary is on the ETH Zurich postdoctoral salary scale. The lab states it will support independent funding applications such as SNSF Ambizione, Postdoc.Mobility, ERC Starting Grant, or Marie Skłodowska-Curie fellowship.
What's required
Completed PhD in mechanical engineering, robotics, mechatronics, electrical engineering, computer science, materials science, bioengineering, or a closely related field. Strong expertise in at least one relevant area such as hands-on system building and mechatronics (CAD, FEA, 3D printing, machining, molding, electronics, motor control, robot integration), machine learning and control for physical robots, soft or bio-inspired materials and actuators, tissue engineering and biofabrication, or physics-based simulation. Applicants should have demonstrated the ability to take a system or method from first idea to validated real-hardware results, have a record of peer-reviewed publications in leading venues, prior mentoring or co-supervision experience, strong written and spoken English, and an appetite for interdisciplinary experimental research.
How to apply
Prepare one merged PDF containing a cover letter addressed to Prof. Robert Katzschmann, a detailed CV with publications and final grades, names and contact information for at least three references, and two or three representative publications or your thesis. Submit the application only through the online portal; email and postal applications are not accepted.
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