PhD Position Bio-inspired Aerial Perching with Drones for Wildlife Conservation

This research enables drones to perch like birds, using novel sensing to land, rest, and collect environmental data efficiently, extending mission duration in natural, unstructured settings.

Job description

We are seeking a motivated PhD candidate to join a multidisciplinary project at the intersection of robotics and wildlife conservation. The project aims to develop autonomous drones capable of perching on natural structures, inspired by the way birds rest on branches, enabling energy-efficient, quiet, and long-duration monitoring of ecosystems. The research will integrate novel lightweight perception modalities for robust perching in the wild, agile control algorithms, and environmental interaction strategies to support wildlife observation and sampling in natural habitats.

As part of the project, the PhD will interface with 11 PhDs from other disciplines, participate in field campaigns in Kenya, as well as dissemination and teaching activities. This PhD position is fully funded for 4 years.

About the Wildbotics project:

Wildbotics is a Marie-Curie Doctoral Network Program that employs 12 PhD candidates in 10 different countries in Europe. The overarching aim of WildBotics is to advance the digital revolution of nature conservation by integrating robotics, computer science, and conservation ecology, with autonomous robots as a unifying platform. The Doctoral Candidates will form an interdisciplinary network of researchers working across Europe, develop new autonomous systems (innovation in robotics), enhance sensor and software capabilities (innovation in computer science), and combine these to enable large-scale automated sampling to complement vision-based data in complex field settings (innovation in ecology).

Each of the 12 candidates will conduct research based in one of the three main subject areas of WildBotics:

• Robot system design for nature conservation
• Autonomy, perception and AI for complex natural environments
• Analysis of large, sample-based datasets for wildlife ecology & biodiversity conservation

The candidates will work together within the WildBotics network and engage in multi-disciplinary training-by-research to develop technology in close collaboration with end-users around the world.

About the research lab:

The successful candidate will join the Biomorphic Intelligence Lab at TU Delft’s Faculty of Aerospace Engineering in the Netherlands. The lab focuses on the design and control of drones to enable physical interaction with their surroundings, powered by new concepts of bodily intelligence.

Job requirements

Qualifications:

• Master degree in Robotics or Aerial Robotics.
• Strong programming skills (Python, C++, ROS).
• Excellent written and spoken English.
• Independent approach to work in research demonstrated by self-led projects.
• Availability to join field testing in Kenya.
• Experience with operating drones is desirable, but not essential.
• Interest in wildlife conservation and ecological applications.
• Ability to work independently and in interdisciplinary teams.

Eligibility requirement to join this MSCN project:

• No residence or main activity (work, studies etc.) in the country of the recruiting beneficiary (The Netherlands) for more than 12 months in the 36 months before their recruitment date.

TU Delft

Delft University of Technology is built on strong foundations. As creators of the world-famous Dutch waterworks and pioneers in biotech, TU Delft is a top international university combining science, engineering and design. It delivers world class results in education, research and innovation to address challenges in the areas of energy, climate, mobility, health and digital society. For generations, our engineers have proven to be entrepreneurial problem-solvers, both in business and in a social context.

Faculty Aerospace Engineering

The Faculty of Aerospace Engineering at Delft University of Technology is a leading international community where innovation in aerospace meets global challenges. Our support and scientific staff, including PhD candidates, postdocs, and students, largely work together on three main themes: the energy transition, sustainable aerospace, and safety and security, with the aim of tackling climate change and contributing to the independence and security of Europe.

When you join us, you become part of a diverse, collaborative, and forward-thinking environment where your ideas and perspectives are valued. Our work extends beyond the lab—into field labs, innovation hubs, and partnerships with other faculties, research institutes, governments, and industry, both locally and globally.

You don’t just join our faculty — you join a community where you can thrive, grow, and help shape the future of aerospace.