Postdoc Multi-Agent Aerial Manipulation for Construction

Would you be interested in exploring how multi-agent aerial manipulation can contribute to construction, in particular by assembling a pavilion?

Job description

Advancement of aerial robotics are reshaping the future of construction. In the HARPA project funded by the EIC Pathfinder Challenge, you will explore how heterogeneous aerial robotics teams can collaboratively and autonomously assemble a pavilion. Together with other team members and collaborators from TUM and ETH, at the end of the project you will perform a real-world demonstration of the autonomous assembly of a pre-fabricated pavilion using a team of aerial robots.

HARPA is looking for a highly motivated and competent postdoctoral researcher.

You will develop task-level planning and coordination methods for heterogeneous aerial robotic teams composed of Cable-Suspended Aerial Multi-Lifting Systems (CAMLs) and Aerial Robotic Manipulators (ARMs). The research will address fundamental challenges in multi-agent planning under heterogeneous robot capabilities, dynamic constraints, contact-rich interactions, perception limitations, and high-level human guidance. A key objective is to bridge high-level task planning with the physical constraints of aerial manipulation and cooperative construction, enabling robotic teams to reason not only about what tasks to perform, but also about when, how, and by which robotic platform they should be executed.

In close collaboration with PhD researchers and project partners from TUM and ETH, you will contribute to the development of novel control and learning methods for aerial manipulators and multi-drone systems and to the development of a physics-aware digital twin for aerial robotic construction. This digital twin will integrate robot dynamics, aerodynamics, contact interactions, component geometry, and construction-task constraints, supporting real-time 3D visualization, human monitoring, algorithm testing, and pre-assembly validation. The platform will serve both as a research environment for developing and benchmarking planning algorithms, and as a system-level validation tool before real-world deployment.

By the end of the contract, the postdoctoral researcher is expected to play a leading role in enabling coordinated collaboration between CAMLs and ARMs for the assembly of prefabricated building submodules. The candidate will be encouraged to publish in leading robotics venues, help shape the research direction of task-level planning for heterogeneous aerial construction systems, and collaborate with other team members. The position offers the opportunity to contribute to both high-impact academic research and a large-scale robotic construction demonstration within an international EU project.

The position is available with a flexible start date to be agreed upon. The postdoctoral researcher will join the Autonomous Multi-Robots Lab at the Cognitive Robotics Department and will be supervised by Dr. Sihao Sun and Prof. Javier Alonso-Mora. You will also have the chance to collaborate with and visit our partners from ETH Zurich and TU Munich. As part of the postdoctoral position, there will be opportunities to gain teaching experience in relevant courses and/or supervise MSc and PhD students.

Job requirements

We are looking for a candidate with:

• A PhD degree in Robotics, Control, Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science, or a closely related field.
• A strong research background in one or more of the following areas: multi-agent planning and coordination, task and motion planning, robot autonomy, aerial robotics, robotic manipulation, optimal control, robot learning, or human-robot interaction.
• Experience with developing planning, control, or coordination algorithms for robotic systems, preferably with consideration of dynamic constraints, perception uncertainty, contact interactions, or real-world deployment.
• Strong programming skills in C++ and/or Python, with experience in robotic software development using ROS and/or ROS 2.
• Experience with simulation environments, digital twins, or physics-based robotic simulators, such as Isaac Sim, Newton, MuJoCo, PyBullet, or similar platforms.
• A demonstrated ability to conduct independent research, publish in peer-reviewed venues, and contribute to high-quality scientific outputs.
• Excellent problem-solving skills and the ability to work in an interdisciplinary team involving robotics, control, perception, simulation, and experimental validation.
• Strong communication skills in English, both written and spoken.

TU Delft (Delft University of Technology)

Working at TU Delft means contributing to solutions that really make a difference.

At TU Delft, our people make the difference. With their knowledge and curiosity, our staff provide high-quality education and conduct pioneering research that extends beyond the campus. You will have the opportunity to take the initiative, work with others, and grow as a professional.

Working at TU Delft means joining an international community of professionals and students. Together, we create knowledge, innovations, and solutions that help move the world forward.

Faculty Mechanical Engineering

ME is a dynamic and innovative faculty with high-tech lab facilities and international reach. It’s a large faculty but also versatile, so we can often make unique connections by combining different disciplines. This is reflected in ME’s outstanding, state-of-the-art education, which trains students to become responsible and socially engaged engineers and scientists. We translate our knowledge and insights into solutions to societal issues, contributing to a sustainable society and to the development of prosperity and well-being.

Conditions of employment

• Duration of contract is 2 years temporary.
• An excellent pension scheme via the ABP.
• The possibility to compile an individual employment package every year.
• Discount with health insurers on supplemental packages.
• Flexible working week.
• Every year, 232 leave hours (at 38 hours). You can also sell or buy additional leave hours via the individual choice budget.
• Plenty of opportunities for education, training and courses.
• Partially paid parental leave.
• Attention for working healthy and energetically with the vitality program.
• If you need to relocate to the Netherlands for this job, TU Delft offers support to help make your move as smooth as possible, including relocation information, events to help you settle in the Netherlands and expand your social network in Delft, and a Dual Career Programme to support your accompanying partner with their job search in the Netherlands.