PhD position in Ergodic Control for Robotics
We are recruiting a fully funded PhD Student to join the Robot Learning & Interaction group at the Idiap Research Institute in Martigny, Switzerland, affiliated with the Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL).
The PhD will take place within the new collaborative project DECOR (Diffusion-based Ergodic Coverage for Robotics), supported by the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) an by the Croatian Science Foundation (HRZZ).
Research Topic: Ergodic control and automatic exploration/coverage for robot manipulation (incl. surface finishing, painting, spraying) or aerial robots (search & rescue)
What we offer:
- Fully funded PhD position with highly competitive salary: 4 years with annual gross salary starting at 55,225 CHF (first year)
- Enrollment through EPFL's doctoral program
- Excellent work conditions in a young, dynamic, and multicultural environment
- Collaborative project with the University of Rijeka in Croatia
Candidate profile:
- a Master degree in Robotics, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, AI, or a related field
- interest in optimal control, model-based optimization, robot learning from small datasets
- eagerness to work with real robots and Python software components (past practical experience is a plus)
Application website:
Screening of applications will start on July 15, 2026.
What is Idiap?
Idiap is an independent nonprofit research institute, affiliated with the Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL). It is located in the town of Martigny in the Swiss Alps, a scenic region in the south of Switzerland, surrounded by the highest mountains of Europe, and offering exceptional quality of life, exciting recreational activities, including hiking, climbing and skiing, as well as varied cultural activities. It is within proximity to Lausanne and Sion. You can check out our annual reports and scientific reports to know more about Idiap.
Idiap offers exceptional salaries and conditions at all levels in a young, high-quality, dynamic, and multicultural environment. Although Idiap is located in the French part of Switzerland, English is the official working language. Idiap is an equal opportunity employer. We specifically encourage women and minorities to apply.