Wenlong Zhang

The Robotics and Intelligent Systems Lab at Arizona State University, led by Associate Professor Wenlong Zhang, is recruiting for immediate openings for a postdoctoral researcher and a PhD student. The lab focuses on integrating soft and compliant robot structures with advanced learning and control algorithms to enable safe and efficient human-robot collaboration and autonomous operation in challenging environments. Ongoing research projects include aerial robotics, soft robotics, and human-robot interaction, with applications in walking assistance, in-pipe inspection, aerial monitoring, and wearable robotics. The postdoctoral position involves research on learning and control of soft robots, with preferred expertise in robot modeling and planning in contact-rich settings, dynamic modeling and simulation of soft robots, or physics-informed machine learning. The PhD position centers on control systems, robot learning, and wearable soft robotics, seeking candidates with backgrounds in dynamic modeling and control, design optimization and fabrication of soft actuators, or reinforcement learning and human-in-the-loop optimization. The lab is supported by major funding agencies such as NSF, AFOSR, ONR, NASA, and others, indicating strong financial support for research activities. Applicants should email Wenlong Zhang with the required materials: postdoc candidates should send a CV and up to three references; PhD candidates should send a CV, unofficial transcript, and a one-page summary of research experience and interests. Positions are open until filled. More information about the lab and its research can be found on the lab website.

Arizona State University’s Robotics and Intelligent Systems Laboratory (RISE Lab) is hiring a postdoctoral researcher in Robotics and Intelligent Systems within the School of Manufacturing Systems and Networks at the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering. The position focuses on human-robot collaboration (HRC) , especially human-robot co-adaptation and co-manipulation in real-world manufacturing and assistance tasks. The successful candidate will work on planning, control, and system integration for advanced robotic systems, with research directions including data-driven robot learning , game theory , reinforcement learning , optimal control , high-fidelity simulation , digital twins , and large language models / vision-language-action models for robot control. The lab is directed by Dr. Wenlong Zhang , Associate Professor at Arizona State University. The post is initially for one year and may be renewed depending on performance and funding availability. The earliest start date is Summer 2026 . Eligibility: applicants should hold a PhD in mechanical engineering, computer science, or a related field , and have a strong background in robot learning and control. Candidates with experience in the listed areas are especially encouraged to apply. To apply, email a CV, a 1-page research statement, and up to three references to [email protected] with the subject line HRC Postdoc Application: [Your Name] . Applications received before 2026-05-15 will receive full consideration, and the position remains open until filled.