Postdoctoral Researcher in Robot Learning

100%, Zurich, fixed-term

The Mobile Robotics Lab at ETH Zürich pushes the limits of robot intelligence: how can we design robot policies with a better understanding of the world humans live in?

We are looking for a postdoctoral researcher in Robot Learning who is interested in questions such as:

1. How can we fuse representations of the world with modern learning-based methods to allow for larger scale / longer horizon?
2. How can we use Foundation Models, VLMs, VLAs, and robot learning for complex and long-horizon tasks that involve manipulation, locomotion, and navigation in potentially unstructured and large-scale environments?

We investigate these questions on a number of real-world robots such as the Unitree G1 humanoid, Stretch 3, and drones.

The Mobile Robotics Lab has various running research projects in the fields of

• Robot Learning
• Spatial AI
• Robot Perception
• Mobile Manipulation
• Navigation and Exploration

For details about the individual running projects, please refer to our homepage .

Job description

• Lead and shape an independent research agenda in mobile robotics, pioneering the use of modern learning-based methods such as but not limited to Foundation Models, VLMs, and VLA architectures for embodied intelligence
• Supervise and enable high-impact research on the lab’s humanoid platform (Unitree G1), pushing the boundaries of sim-to-real transfer and semantic reasoning
• Secure external funding (with strong institutional support) and build collaborations within the ETH ecosystem
• Co-supervise PhD and Master’s students, fostering a culture of technical excellence and ambitious experimentation
• Participate in teaching activities, including the development of new teaching materials in robotics, perception, and autonomous systems

Profile

• PhD in Robotics, Computer Science, or a related field with impactful publications in top-tier venues (CORL, ICRA, RSS, NeurIPS, CVPR, etc.)
• Expert knowledge in modern Robot Learning
• Well-versed in Python, C++ and modern tools such as IsaacLab, PyTorch, etc
• Visionary Drive: You are highly motivated, self-driven, and eager to lead a team toward a "bigger picture" mission. You don’t just want to publish; you want to solve robotics
• Excellent communication skills and a desire to mentor the next generation of researchers

Workplace

We offer

• Work on cutting edge research in collaboration with academic and industrial partners
• A collaborative, multidisciplinary team bridging research theory and robotics in the real world
• Modern lab facilities and flexible conditions within a leading-edge research environment
• We promote diversity through flexible working hours and the possibility of part-time arrangements

We value diversity and sustainability

Curious? So are we.

We look forward to receiving your online application with the following documents:

• CV
• Transcripts including relevant publications
• Motivation letter
• References

Further information about Mobile Robotics Lab can be found on our Website . Questions regarding the position should be directed to Isabella De Nitti, isabella.denitti@ mrl.ethz.ch (no applications).

Please note that we exclusively accept applications submitted through our online application portal. Applications via email or postal services will not be considered.

We would like to point out that the pre-selection is carried out by the responsible recruiters and not by artificial intelligence.

ETH Zurich is one of the world’s leading universities specialising in science and technology. We are renowned for our excellent education, cutting-edge fundamental research and direct transfer of new knowledge into society. Over 30,000 people from more than 120 countries find our university to be a place that promotes independent thinking and an environment that inspires excellence. Located in the heart of Europe, yet forging connections all over the world, we work together to develop solutions for the global challenges of today and tomorrow.