Open Positions

Postdoc & PhD Positions

We are seeking highly motivated PhD students and Postdocs to join the Robot Learning Lab at the University of Freiburg. The salary scale for full-time positions is TV-L E13 to TV-L E14 at 100%, with additional benefits.

The Robot Learning Lab is part of the ELLIS Unit Freiburg, the Department of Computer Science, and the BrainLinks-BrainTools Center. We offer an ambitious, collaborative, and international research environment at the forefront of robot learning and embodied AI. Our lab is equipped with a broad range of robotic platforms and state-of-the-art compute infrastructure.

The position offers a novel perspective on relevant problems in open-world robot learning. The candidates are expected to conduct independent research, contribute to ongoing projects, and guide master's and bachelor's students.

We are looking for candidates with:

• Master's degree (or PhD degree for PostDoc applicants) in computer science, robotics, machine learning, computer vision, or a related field
• Strong background in robotics and machine learning
• Proficiency in Python and deep learning frameworks such as PyTorch (programming experience in C++ would be a plus)
• Excellent written and communication skills in English

We expect outstanding qualifications, strong scientific curiosity, and clear motivation to pursue a doctoral degree. The successful candidate should be excited to conduct independent, high-impact research and contribute to ongoing projects in an interdisciplinary environment. International candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. Knowledge of the German language is not required. Women and candidates from underrepresented groups are particularly encouraged to apply.

The application documents should consist of a single PDF file and include:

• Curriculum vitae. Please indicate your relevant skills, scientific publications, awards, research videos and/or code, professional profile(s)
• Motivation and research statement, including which topics excites you most
• Copy of bachelor's and master's transcript of records
• Email addresses of at least two professors or persons authorized to supervise dissertation projects that can provide a reference
• Any documents providing evidence of academic achievements, relevant practical experience, and qualifications earned at or outside of the university

Applications should be sent via email to rl-apply@cs.uni-freiburg.de with the tag [Postdoc] or [PhD] in the subject line. Applications will be considered until the positions have been filled.

MSc Projects and Theses

Our group is only able to offer projects/theses to exceptional candidates who match the criteria that we are looking for. We expect the student to have taken one or more courses related to deep learning, robotics, computer vision, and reinforcement learning. We strongly recommend doing an MSc project with us before inquiring about an MSc thesis. Master students enrolled at the University of Freiburg can request to do a project or thesis on the following topics:

• Deep learning methods for robot vision
• Manipulation and control
• Deep learning for SLAM
• Self-supervised and unsupervised learning
• Imitation and reinforcement learning
• Multimodal and cross-modal learning
• Autonomous navigation

Please email rl-inquiry@cs.uni-freiburg.de with the tag [MSc-project] or [MSc-thesis] in the subject line and include the following information:

• What courses have you taken so far?
• Please attach your transcript of records
• What are your topics of interest?
• Have you worked on any related projects?
• How would you rate your Python and C++ coding skills?
• What deep learning libraries have you worked in?
• How would you rate your ability to understand DL/RL papers and implement the concepts?

MSc in Freiburg

You can apply to the central MSc program if you wish to study for your master's at the University of Freiburg. We offer an AI master's program that enables you to specialize in areas such as robotics, artificial intelligence, machine learning, image processing, and computer graphics. You can find more information on applying at https://www.tf.uni-freiburg.de/en/study-programs/computer-science/m-sc-computer-science.

Internships and Research Visits

If you are currently doing a postdoc, PhD, or master's in a field very closely related to our group's research and would like to visit our group, please email rl-apply@cs.uni-freiburg.de with the tag [Intern] in the subject line. If you are applying for the DAAD-WISE scholarship, please send your full application details via email to rl-apply@cs.uni-freiburg.de with the tag [DAAD-Wise] in the subject line. We have a strict selection criterion and we only accept outstanding candidates.

About Freiburg

They say there are two kinds of people in Germany - those who live in Freiburg, and those who would like to. This most liveable city in southwestern Germany has 230,000 inhabitants. We have excellent conditions for studies and research, along with a high quality of life. Freiburg is the sunniest metropolis in Germany and is known for the Black Forest mountains, vineyards, the medieval minster, the market square, the mini-canals that run along its streets, and the cafés in the Old Town. At the same time, it is a green city, a symbol of sustainable lifestyles and high environmental standards. Here, students and professors alike ride their bikes to Uni, and the sports club operates a climate-neutral stadium.

Freiburg has the highest concentration of researchers anywhere in Germany. The University of Freiburg, the two Max Planck, and five Fraunhofer Institutes attract researchers and students from around the world. They give the city an international flair in lecture theaters, laboratories, and cafeterias - and of course in the lively nightlife and culture scenes. Freiburg’s location close to the borders of Germany, France, and Switzerland enables cross-border exchange. The Universities of Freiburg, Basel, Karlsruhe, Mulhouse, and Strasbourg work together in the Upper Rhine region’s European Campus.