Postdoctoral position at the Max Planck Institue for Intelligent Systems

The research project, which will be developed and refined with the candidate, will be to investigate inverse optimal control and motion optimization algorithms to predict and study human motor behavior, and its application to human-robot collaboration or human-robot space sharing.
Topics:
- Machine Learning
- Inverse Optimal Control
- Motion Generation
- Robotic Manipulation
- Human Movement Understanding
- Learning from Demonstration
- Reinforcement Learning or Adaptive Control
- Human-Robot Interaction and Cooperation
The candidate must hold a Ph.D. in robotics, engineering or computer science. Strong programming and communication skills with an excellent academic track record are required. Apart from machine learning and motion generation, experience with motion capture of human motion and bio-mechanics would be highly appreciated, as well as experience with python, C++ and ROS.
The position will take place within a collaboration between the Max Planck Institute (MPI) for Intelligent Systems (Autonomous Motion Department) in Tübingen, Germany and the University of Stuttgart, Germany. The MPI and the University of Stuttgart are elements of the Baden-Württemberg’s "Cyber Valley" initiative, which aims to foster academic and industrial research in the area of artificial intelligence. The labs are equipped with dual arm manipulators (Kuka, Baxter, PR2, Sarcos Humanoid, Pepper) and motion capture capacities (Vicon and OptiTrack).
The minimal length of the contract is one year, but this will be determined with the applicant.
How to Apply:
To send by e-mail to Dr. Jim Mainprice.
- Research project (1 page max.), describe work that you intend to carry out over the next two years.
- CV (please include: your nationality for visa requirements, date of birth, your English level, complete list of scientific publications, with impact factor of journals, underline your name in the list of authors). Summarize your past experience in half a page. Mention teaching experience and other participation in research or outreach projects. Please include your 3 major publications.
- List of at least 3 referees (support-letter writers). These referees will be contacted only in case your application is considered.
The position is open immediately until filled. The selected applicants will be invited for a seminar before hiring.