PhD Position Underwater Robotics for Marine Biodiversity Monitoring (Robotics)

TL;DR

PhD Position Underwater Robotics for Marine Biodiversity Monitoring (Robotics): Developing robot mission planning and intelligent path planning strategies for biodiversity monitoring at reefs with an accent on multi-robot coordination and simulation. Focus on optimizing multiple objectives in underwater environments and validating algorithms through field experiments.

Location: Must relocate to the Netherlands (Delft)

Salary: €3,059 - €3,881 gross per month

Company

A top international university combining science, engineering, and design to address global challenges in energy, climate, mobility, health, and digital society.

What you will do

• Design and implement intelligent path planning algorithms for individual underwater robots.
• Develop a simulation environment that aligns with real-world testing conditions.
• Research multi-robot systems with a focus on task allocation and coordination under communication constraints.
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams in biology, ecology, and business management.
• Validate developed planning methods through simulations and field experiments with industry partners.

Requirements

• MSc degree in Mechanical Engineering, Maritime Engineering, Robotics, Mechatronics, or a related field.
• Demonstrated experience in robotics and path planning.
• English proficiency at C1 level.
• Willingness to travel for fieldwork and complete safety at sea training.
• Strong drive to pursue a PhD and ability to work in interdisciplinary teams.

Nice to have

• Experience with path planning in open and outdoor environments.
• Valid driving license.
• Interest in the environmental impacts of human activities and nature restoration.

Culture & Benefits

• 4-year employment period provided via two sequential contracts.
• Customisable compensation package, discounts on health insurance, and monthly work costs contribution.
• Enrollment in the hirify.global Graduate School with a structured Doctoral Education Programme.
• International support via the 'Coming to Delft Service' for relocation.
• Dual Career Programme to assist accompanying partners with job searches in the Netherlands.

Hiring process

• Submission of CV, motivation letter, research-oriented document (e.g., MSc thesis), and MSc transcripts.
• Risk assessment conducted during the final stages of the recruitment process.