Postdoc in Aerial Interaction

Join our team as a Postdoc in Aerial Robotics, advancing dynamic, adaptive solutions for physical interaction in complex environments. Help pioneer robust autonomy for real-world applications!

Job description
We are seeking a talented and motivated Postdoctoral Researcher to join our multidisciplinary team in advancing Aerial Robotics, with a focus on developing solutions for aerial physical interaction with unknown objects and challenging environments. The successful candidate will work on designing and testing robust robotic systems and algorithms to enable safe, adaptive, and efficient aerial interaction in complex settings. The scientific challenges include dynamic aerial interaction, interaction with unknown objects, and novel drone skills that leverage bio-inspired embodied intelligence for interaction.

This research will have real-world applications in areas such as environmental monitoring, search and rescue, and Space exploration, where autonomous aerial systems need to interact with delicate structures or dynamic environments. Expected technical skills include mechatronic design, signal processing and control theory.

What we offer

• Research environment: access to state-of-the-art laboratories and a collaborative, multidisciplinary team.
• Professional development: opportunities for publishing high-impact research, attending international conferences, and developing networks within the Aerial Robotics and broader Robotics communities.
• Mentorship and growth: guidance in building a strong academic track record, including mentorship for top-grants writing. Additionally, an opportunity to mentor graduate and PhD students.
• Compensation: competitive salary, benefits package for expats, and professional development resources.

Related work:

1. Ye, Chaoxiang, Guido De Croon, and Salua Hamaza. "A Biomorphic Whisker Sensor for Aerial Tactile Applications." 2024 IEEE International Conference on Robotics and Automation (ICRA). IEEE, 2024.
2. Ramirez, Jane Pauline, and Salua Hamaza. "Multimodal locomotion: next generation aerial–terrestrial mobile robotics." Advanced Intelligent Systems (2023): 2300327.
3. Schuster, Micha, et al. "Tactile Odometry in Aerial Physical Interaction." 2024 IEEE International Conference on Intelligent Robotics Systems (IROS). IEEE, 2024.
4. Ramirez, Jane Pauline, Anton Bredenbeck, and Salua Hamaza. "Bioinspired Compliant Limbs For Robust Landing Of Free-Flying Robots." 17th Symposium on Advanced Space Technologies in Robotics and Automation. ESA/ESTEC, 2023.

Requirements
Must haves:

• PhD degree in Aerial Robotics or Robotics.
• Experience in hardware design and hands-on prototyping.
• System integration skills.
• Excellent written and spoken English.
• Independent approach to Research demonstrated by self-led projects
• Collaborative attitude and inclination towards other Science disciplines.
• Affinity with teaching and guiding students.

Nice to have:

• Experience with flight controllers or drones.
• Field experience with drones or mobile robots.
• Previous experience in outreach and public engagement.
• Originality and creativity in research outputs and methodologies.

Start date: immediately (not sooner than 3 months after notification of acceptance)

TU Delft
Delft University of Technology is built on strong foundations. As creators of the world-famous Dutch waterworks and pioneers in biotech, TU Delft is a top international university combining science, engineering and design. It delivers world class results in education, research and innovation to address challenges in the areas of energy, climate, mobility, health and digital society. For generations, our engineers have proven to be entrepreneurial problem-solvers, both in business and in a social context.

At TU Delft we embrace diversity as one of our core values and we actively engage to be a university where you feel at home and can flourish. We value different perspectives and qualities. We believe this makes our work more innovative, the TU Delft community more vibrant and the world more just. Together, we imagine, invent and create solutions using technology to have a positive impact on a global scale. That is why we invite you to apply. Your application will receive fair consideration.

Challenge. Change. Impact!

Faculty Aerospace Engineering
The Faculty of Aerospace Engineering at Delft University of Technology is one of the world’s most highly ranked (and most comprehensive) research, education and innovation communities devoted entirely to aerospace engineering. More than 200 science staff, around 270 PhD candidates and close to 3000 BSc and MSc students apply aerospace engineering disciplines to address the global societal challenges that threaten us today, climate change without doubt being the most important. Our focal subjects: sustainable aerospace, big data and artificial intelligence, bio-inspired engineering and smart instruments and systems. Working at the faculty means working together. With partners in other faculties, knowledge institutes, governments and industry, both aerospace and non-aerospace. Working in field labs and innovation hubs on our university campus and beyond.

Click here to go to the website of the Faculty of Aerospace Engineering.

Conditions of employment
Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities. The TU Delft offers a customisable compensation package, discounts on health insurance, and a monthly work costs contribution. Flexible work schedules can be arranged.

For international applicants, TU Delft has the Coming to Delft Service. This service provides information for new international employees to help you prepare the relocation and to settle in the Netherlands. The Coming to Delft Service offers a Dual Career Programme for partners and they organise events to expand your (social) network.

Additional information
For questions specific to the job vacancy, please contact Assistant Professor Salua Hamaza, s.hamaza@tudelft.nl.

Application procedure
Are you interested in this vacancy? Please apply no later than 30 December 2024 via the application button and upload:

• 1-page motivation letter that highlights why you are a good fit for the role
• Curriculum Vitae
• PhD thesis
• Pre-prints of published articles
• A .txt file with relevant press releases, youtube links and other media showcasing your work, with brief descriptions.

Please note:

• A pre-employment screening can be part of the selection procedure.
• Applying for an exemption for specific research and educational areas is an obligatory part of the selection procedure for this vacancy. This exemption must be obtained from the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science (OCW) before an employment contract is agreed upon. Click here for more information.
• You can apply online. We will not process applications sent by email and/or post.
• Please do not contact us for unsolicited services.

38 - 40 hours per week

Mekelweg 5