Open Positions

The EPFL Laboratory of Intelligent Systems welcomes applications for a postdoctoral position on the mechanical design, characterization, and prototyping of avian-inspired robots. The laboratory has state-of-the-art prototyping facilities, an instrumented flight arena with an open wind tunnel and high resolution motion tracking, with several PhD and master students working on related projects. The successful candidate is expected to have a strong publication record and the ambition to become a leader of the next generation of agile aerial robotics.

Applicants should send an email to Dario.Floreano@epfl.ch with a CV, contact of two reference persons, and a full publication list. Applicants without mechanical design experience cannot be considered. Due to the high number of emails, only suitable applicants will be contacted for follow-up interviews.

The EPFL Laboratory of Intelligent Systems welcomes applications for a PhD fellowship in design, modelling, and characterisation of drones inspired by the phylogenetic evolution of birds. The project aims at understanding the avian morphological space by means of theoretical, numerical, and hardware models that will be characterised in the Robotic Aerodynamic Characterisation facility of the lab and flown outdoors. The project will be carried out in close collaboration with biologists, namely Prof. Christina Harvey at University of California Davis and Prof. Graham Taylor at Oxford University.

Suitable candidates should have a master’s degree in aeronautical engineering, mechanical engineering, or robotics, and demonstrated experience in design and hardware prototyping. Previous experience in aerial robotics and drone teleoperation is desirable. Applicants should apply to the EPFL Doctoral Programs in Robotics, Control, and Intelligent Systems or in Mechanical Engineering (the next application deadline is April 15, 2025).

The EPFL Laboratory of Intelligent Systems welcomes applications for a PhD fellowship in learning of agile flight manoeuvres of avian-inspired drones. The project aims at developing data-driven methods for fast learning of agile flight manoeuvres of avian-inspired drones with diverse morphologies and onboard sensing, including vision. The project will be carried out in close collaboration with biologists, namely Prof. Christina Harvey at University of California Davis and Prof. Graham Taylor at Oxford University.

Suitable candidates should have a master’s degree in computer science or robotics, and demonstrated experience in machine learning methods and computer vision. Previous experience in aerial robotics and drone teleoperation is desirable. Applicants should apply to the EPFL Doctoral Programs in Robotics, Control, and Intelligent Systems or in Mechanical Engineering (the next application deadline is April 15, 2025).