PhD Position: Robot Planning and Learning at the Donders Centre for Cognition

1. Introduction

As a PhD candidate in Robot Planning and Learning, you will become part of a dynamic, interdisciplinary research environment at the forefront of AI and Robotics. Our lab focuses on developing intelligent robotic systems that can perceive, learn and act autonomously in complex and changing environments – from industrial settings to agri-food applications. 

2. Job description

You will (i) work on cutting-edge research problems in motion planning, reinforcement learning and task generalisation, (ii) have access to a state-of-the-art robotics lab with simulation and real-world testbeds, (iii) collaborate with experienced faculty, industry partners and international researchers, (iv) be part of an inclusive, supportive and innovative academic culture where your ideas and contributions matter, and (v) whether you aim for a future in academia, start-ups or industrial R&D, you will receive guidance tailored to both academic growth and career development.

We value creativity, curiosity and courage to challenge the norm. You will be encouraged to present your work at top conferences (like ICRA, IROS, RSS, NeurIPS), publish in high-impact journals, and engage in open science practices.

We are looking for a highly motivated and curious PhD candidate to join our team in the field of robot planning and learning. In this role, you will conduct research on enabling robots to perform a wide range of complex tasks by integrating advanced motion planning algorithms with machine learning techniques, such as reinforcement learning, imitation learning, and task generalization. You will focus on designing intelligent robotic systems that can reason about their environment, adapt to novel situations, and make decisions under uncertainty — with real-world applications in areas like agri-food, logistics, and human-robot collaboration.

You will be part of an interdisciplinary team within the Department of Artificial Intelligence at Radboud University. Your research will involve a combination of theoretical work, algorithm development, and hands-on experiments using our state-of-the-art robotics platforms. You will have the opportunity to collaborate with other academic and industry partners across Europe, contribute to high-impact publications, and present your work at leading conferences in robotics and AI.

As part of your appointment, you will also contribute to teaching and supervision within our Bachelor’s and Master’s programmes in Artificial Intelligence or related fields. This may include supporting practical lab sessions, mentoring student projects, and assisting in course delivery — typically amounting to 10–15% of your time. These responsibilities offer you valuable teaching experience and the chance to further develop your academic profile in a collaborative and inspiring educational environment.

Would you like to learn more about what it’s like to pursue a PhD at Radboud University? Visit the page about working as a PhD candidate. 

3. Profile

• You have a Master’s degree in Robotics, Artificial Intelligence, Computer Science, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related field.
• You have a strong background in machine learning, AI or control systems.
• You are proficient in programming languages such as Python and/or C++. Having experience with ROS or similar robotic frameworks will be a plus.
• You are passionate about research and motivated to learn new things.
• You enjoy working on both theoretical and practical challenges, and are comfortable with hands-on experimentation.
• You have good communication skills and are able to work effectively in interdisciplinary and international teams.
• You have strong analytical thinking skills and a critical, reflective attitude.
• You have excellent English language skills, both spoken and written.

4. We are

The Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour is a world-class interfaculty research centre that houses more than 700 researchers devoted to understanding the mechanistic underpinnings of the human mind. Research at the Donders Institute is focused around four themes: 1. Language and communication, 2. Perception, action and control, 3. Plasticity and memory, 4. Neural computation and neurotechnology. Excellent, state-of-the-art research facilities are available for the broad range of neuroscience research that is being conducted at the Donders Institute. The Donders Institute has been assessed by an international evaluation committee as ‘excellent’ and recognised as a ‘very stimulating environment for top researchers, as well as for young talent’. The Donders Institute fosters a collaborative, multidisciplinary and supportive research environment with a diverse international staff. English is the lingua franca at the Institute. 

5. We offer

• We will give you a temporary employment contract (1.0 FTE) of 1.5 years, after which your performance will be evaluated. If the evaluation is positive, your contract will be extended by 2.5 years (4-year contract).     
• You will receive a starting salary of €2,901 gross per month based on a 38-hour working week, which will increase to €3,707 in the fourth year (salary scale P).
• You will receive an 8% holiday allowance and an 8,3% end-of-year bonus. 
• We offer Dual Career Coaching. The Dual Career Coaching assists your partner via support, tools, and resources to improve their chances of independently finding employment in the Netherlands. 
• You will receive extra days off. With full-time employment, you can choose between 30 or 41 days of annual leave instead of the statutory 20. 

6. Practical information and applying

You can apply only via the button below. Address your letter of application to Rekha Raja. In the application form, you will find which documents you need to include with your application.

The first interviews will take place on Thursday 5 June. Any second interview will take place on Thursday 12 June. You will preferably start your employment on 1 September 2025.

We can imagine you're curious about our application procedure. It describes what you can expect during the application procedure and how we handle your personal data and internal and external candidates. If you wish to apply for a non-scientific position with a non-EU nationality, please take notice of the following information.