Employment 1.0 FTE
Gross monthly salary € 2,901 - € 3,707
Required background Research University Degree
Organizational unit Faculty of Social Sciences
Application deadline 25 May 2025
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.
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.
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.
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.
Additional employment conditions
Work and science require good employment practices. Radboud University's primary and secondary employment conditions reflect this. You can make arrangements for the best possible work-life balance with flexible working hours, various leave arrangements and working from home. You are also able to compose part of your employment conditions yourself. For example, exchange income for extra leave days and receive a reimbursement for your sports membership. In addition, you receive a 34% discount on the sports and cultural activities at Radboud University as an employee. And, of course, we offer a good pension plan. We also give you plenty of room and responsibility to develop your talents and realise your ambitions. Therefore, we provide various training and development schemes.
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.
Faculty of Social Sciences
At the Faculty of Social Sciences, humanity and society are our focus; we study how people behave, think and feel. Within this context, we look at themes such as human behaviour and the human psyche, education and upbringing, communication, society and culture. The faculty provides education to 6,000 students and employs 700 staff. Education is organised into six programme clusters: Psychology; Artificial Intelligence; Pedagogical Sciences and Educational Sciences; Communication Science; Sociology; and Cultural Anthropology and Developmental Sociology, and the Radboud Centre Social Sciences as an institute for post-master education have been merged into the Social Sciences Education Institute. Our research is carried out within three research institutes: the Donders Centre for Cognition, the Behavioural Science Institute, and Radboud Social Cultural Research.
Radboud University
At Radboud University, we aim to make an impact through our work. We achieve this by conducting groundbreaking research, providing high-quality education, offering excellent support, and fostering collaborations within and outside the university. In doing so, we contribute indispensably to a healthy, free world with equal opportunities for all. To accomplish this, we need even more colleagues who, based on their expertise, are willing to search for answers. We advocate for an inclusive community and welcome employees with diverse backgrounds, cultures, and perspectives. Will you also contribute to making the world a little better? You have a part to play.
If you want to learn more about working at Radboud University, follow our Instagram account and read stories from our colleagues.
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.
Application deadline 25 May 2025
We would like to recruit our new colleague ourselves. Acquisition in response to this vacancy will not be appreciated.
Would you like more information?
Dr R. Raja (Rekha)
[email protected]
