PhD student (Doctoral Researcher) in Ergodic Control for Robotics F/M

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Published on 24/06/2026

  • Subsidiary :  Robot Learning & Interaction

  • Contract type:  Temporary contract - 48 months

  • Work time:  Full time

  • Location Martigny

Role Summary

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) and by the Croatian Science Foundation (HRZZ).

 

Research Topic: Ergodic control and automatic exploration/coverage for robot manipulation (including surface finishing, painting, spraying) or aerial robots (search & rescue).

 

What we offer:

  • A fully funded PhD position with highly competitive salary
  • Excellent work conditions in a young, dynamic, and multicultural environment
  • Collaborative project with the University of Rijeka in Croatia
  • Enrollment through EPFL's EDEE doctoral program

Your Profile

We are looking for highly motivated candidates with:

  • A Master's 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)

Screening of applications will start on July 15, 2026.

About Idiap

Idiap is a research institute of national importance that engages in fundamental research, education and technology transfer in artificial intelligence. Idiap offers competitive salaries and conditions in a dynamic, multicultural environment.

 

Idiap is located in Martigny, Valais, 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.

 

At Idiap, we believe that diversity fosters creativity and innovation. We are committed to equality of opportunity, to being fair and inclusive, and to being a place where we all belong. If you believe that you could excel in this role, but you are not sure you meet all the required criteria, we very much welcome your application.

Required languages

  • English English - Level advanced

Réf: 087a63fb-fe15-41b7-941a-f591a73a3ae1

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PhD student (Doctoral Researcher) in Ergodic Control for Robotics F/M

Robot Learning & Interaction
Temporary contract - 48 months
Full time
Martigny

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