Postdoctoral Researcher in Metamorphic Aerial Robotics

Materials science and technology are our passion. With our cutting-edge research, Empa's around 1,100 employees make essential contributions to the well-being of society for a future worth living. Empa is a research institution of the ETH Domain.

The Laboratory of Sustainability Robotics (LSR) is a world-leading group with research focus on the development of novel, biologically inspired flying robots for distributed sensing in air and water and autonomous robotic construction for digital infrastructure systems. The lab is based on a jointly funded Professorship by Empa and the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne (EPFL) and is specialised in robot design, hardware development and multi-modal robot mobility.

• Focus on the design, control and integration of a novel reconfigurable manipulation system for aerial robotics applications.
• Soft robotics manufacturing methods to develop meta-morphic aerostructures. 
• Designing shape-changing control architectures. 
• System integration and validation through indoor and outdoor experiments.

We seek a highly motivated and dedicated postdoctoral researcher with a PhD (or equivalent) in robotics, materials science/engineering, environmental engineering or a related discipline and a track record of collaborative and innovative project leadership. 

Key qualifications: 

• Expertise in aerial robotics design, control systems and experimental validation. 
• Strong communication skills, management experience. 
• A strong track record of relevant publications. 
• Excellence in English, both written and spoken is required. 

Desirable attributes: 

• Previous experience of managing or operating a similar research facility or laboratory. 
• Familiarity with collaborative research environments, particularly in academia or industry. 
• A passion for innovation in aerial robotics and a proactive approach to exploring new technologies. 
• Fluency in French and/or German.

We offer a fully funded 1 year post-doc position with the possibility of extension at Empa to conduct state-of-the-art research in one of the most dynamic scientific institutions in Europe, including access to the DroneHub. The position will be based at the Empa campus in Dübendorf, near Zurich, Switzerland. The candidate will also have close collaboration and exchange with the EPFL, Lausanne. Applications are open immediately, the expected starting date as soon as possible by mutual agreement.

We live a culture of inclusion and respect. We welcome all people who are interested in innovative, sustainable and meaningful activities - that's what counts.

PatriciaNitzsche, Stv. Leiterin Human Resources / Dep. Head Human Resources