Postdoc in Brain-Inspired Control of Soft Robotic Systems - DTU Electro

If you are establishing your scientific career in robotics, control, and AI and want to contribute to the next generation of intelligent robotic systems, this position offers a unique opportunity to work at the forefront of brain-inspired control and soft robotics. At DTU, you will develop novel control architectures that combine model-based methods, reinforcement learning, and neuromorphic computation to enable adaptive, energy-efficient, and trustworthy robotic behavior in real-world environments. Working within the Control, Robotics and Embodied AI (CREA) Group, you will collaborate with leading researchers and international partners to advance fundamental research while validating your ideas on physical soft-robotic platforms.

Responsibilities and qualifications
Your overall focus will be to develop and experimentally validate hierarchical control architectures for soft robotic systems within the IC-Soft project. You will contribute to cutting-edge research at the intersection of robotics, control engineering, machine learning, and neuro-inspired computing, while collaborating closely with academic partners and researchers across disciplines in Denmark as well as abroad.

Your primary tasks will be to:

• Design hierarchical control architectures for soft robotic platforms
• Implement neuro-inspired computational approaches, including spiking neural networks
• Implement and validate algorithms in simulation and on real robotic systems
• Contribute to integration across control, AI, and reinforcement learning components
• Disseminate research results through high-impact journals and international conferences
• Participate in collaborations with national and international project partners
• Actively participate in the NRT-Lab research activities, including scientific discussions, fostering collaborations, and supporting the group’s strategy
• Supervise BSc and MSc student projects

We seek candidates who:

• Have documented research experience in robotics and control systems, such as in the context of assistive robotics and human-robot interactions
• Possess a strong background in nonlinear, model-based, adaptive, and/or learning-based control
• Have excellent programming skills in Python and/or C++
• Have experience with robotic software frameworks and simulation environments
• Demonstrate the ability to conduct independent research and publish scientific results
• Have strong communication skills and enjoy working in interdisciplinary teams

As a formal qualification, you must hold a PhD degree (or equivalent). 

We offer
DTU is a leading technical university globally recognized for the excellence of its research, education, innovation and scientific advice. We offer a rewarding and challenging job in an international environment. We strive for academic excellence in an environment characterized by collegial respect and academic freedom tempered by responsibility. 

Salary and terms of employment
The appointment will be based on the collective agreement with the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations. In addition, supplements can be negotiated in accordance with DTU’s salary structure for scientific staff: https://www.inside.dtu.dk/en/human-resources/during-employment/salary/salary-structures

The period of employment is 34 months. The starting date is 1/2/2027 (or according to mutual agreement). The position is a full-time position.

You can read more about career paths at DTU here.

Further information
May be obtained from Associate Professor Silvia Tolu, DTU Electrical and Photonics Engineering, e-mail: [email protected] 

You can read more about the Control, Robotics and Embodied AI (CREA) Group at: https://electro.dtu.dk/research/research-areas/electro-technology/control-robotics-and-embodied-ai 

You can read more about DTU Electrical and Photonics Engineering at: https://electro.dtu.dk/ 

If you are applying from abroad, you may find useful information on working in Denmark and at DTU at DTU – Moving to Denmark.

Application procedure 
Your complete online application must be submitted no later than 17 September 2026 (23:59 Danish time). 

Applications must be submitted as one PDF file containing all materials to be given consideration. To apply, please open the link "Apply now", fill out the online application form, and attach all your materials in English in one PDF file. The file must include:

• Application (cover letter)
• CV
• Academic Diplomas (MSc/PhD – in English)
• List of publications 

In addition, applicants may include:

• Representative publications (maximum three)
• PhD thesis (or a summary of the thesis if the full document is not available)
• Contact information for academic references

Applications received after the deadline will not be considered.

All interested candidates irrespective of age, gender, disability, race, religion or ethnic background are encouraged to apply. As DTU works with research in critical technology, which is subject to special rules for security and export control, open-source background checks may be conducted on qualified candidates for the position.

DTU Electrical and Photonics Engineering (DTU Electro) develops technologies and solutions within electrical engineering, photonics, automation, robotics, artificial intelligence, and autonomous systems. The department conducts internationally recognized research and educates future engineers who contribute to solving key societal challenges related to digitalization, sustainability, energy, and advanced manufacturing. Through close collaboration with industry, universities, and public-sector partners, DTU Electro transforms scientific advances into practical solutions with societal impact.

DTU – For the benefit of society since 1829
DTU is one of Europe's leading elite technical universities. Through research and education at an international top level, we create solutions to the major societal challenges of our time and help secure Europe's global leadership in sustainable technological development. Since Hans Christian Ørsted founded DTU almost 200 years ago, our mission has remained the same: We develop and create value through the natural and technical sciences for the benefit of society. DTU has 13,800 students, 1,600 PhD students, and 6,500 employees. We work in an international environment and have an inclusive, stimulating, and informal work culture. DTU has campuses in all parts of Denmark and in Greenland and collaborates with the best universities around the world.