Connectionists: PostDoc Position - Learning planning and control for legged mobile manipulation - ETH Zurich

[Jonas Buchli]

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Post-Doc position at the Agile and Dexterous Robotics Lab at ETH Zürich
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Learning planning and control for legged mobile manipulation
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**[PROJECT BRIEF]**

The goal of this research is to derive principled and robust approaches
to learning, planning & control of walking, and manipulating robots in 
unstructured environments. The possible research topics for this 
position are relatively broad but will in general focus on the 
application of learning and planning to whole body control and impedance 
control in combined manipulation and locomotion problems.

**[BACKGROUND]**

The successful candidate will work in the frame of the NCCR Robotics:
http://www.nccr-robotics.ch/

At the ADR lab we seek to understand the control of dynamic motions of
robots, humans and animals in unstructured environments. This
understanding will let us provide the ‘intelligence’ for versatile,
agile and dexterous service robots.

Topics include:

- Applied machine learning and optimization to robotics
- Nonlinear hybrid MPC
- Feedback and kinodynamic planning
- Control of legged locomotion and manipulation
- Whole body control
- Active impedance control
- Multi-contact control
- Full body force and impedance control

**[DATES]**

- Starting Date: The position is open for immediate filling.
- Evaluation of candidates starts on receipt of applications but will
continue until position is filled (see http://www.adrl.ethz.ch for updates).

**[REQUIREMENTS]**

- PhD in Robotics or closely related field
- Excellent academic track record in topics related to the project
- Very good English skills, written and spoken
- Outstanding Team & Communication skills
- Excellent programming skills
- Excellent analytical skills & Critical thinking
- Driven, independent personality
- Persistence!

Experience with:
- Machine learning, Optimization
- Planning with dynamics
- Compliance, Stiffness, Impedance control
- Torque controlled robots
- Rigid body dynamics
- Signals and Systems knowledge
- Control engineering background
- Experience with physics simulators
- Unix/Linux knowledge
- Working with real robots

Post-Docs are expected, in addition to their research, to participate
in teaching, supervision of bachelor's and master's projects,
supervision of PhD students, grant preparation and the general
activities of the Lab.

**[HOW TO APPLY]**

Please send your CV, a letter of motivation (incl. statement of research
interests) and 3 reference letters to Prof. Dr. Jonas Buchli <buchlij 
(at) ethz (dot) ch> quoting [PostDoc Application S_13_3] in the subject. 
Please send all documents in PDF or plain text format only.

Include a link to your PhD thesis and 3 of your most relevant papers.

For questions please contact Jonas Buchli  <buchlij (at) ethz (dot) ch>.

**[WHAT WE OFFER]**

We offer a contract of 1 year with possible extension in an exciting
research opportunity at the forefront of one of the most dynamic
engineering fields.

A post-doc position at ETH is a regular job with social benefits, an
attractive salary and access to excellent facilities in one of the
world's leading technical universities. Zurich is regularly voted among
the top cities in the world for quality of life.

**[THE ADR LAB @ ETHZ]**

- Information about the Agile and Dexterous Robotics lab can be found at
http://www.adrl.ethz.ch/

- ADRL is located at the Institute of Robotics and Intelligent Systems:
http://www.iris.ethz.ch/ and the Dept. of Mechanical Engineering:
http://www.mavt.ethz.ch/

- Information about ETH can be found at http://www.ethz.ch/


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Prof. Dr. Jonas Buchli
Head Agile and Dexterous Robotics Lab
Institute of Robotics and Intelligent Systems
ETH Zürich
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-- 
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Jonas Buchli, Dr., MSc EE
http://buchli.org/jonas
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