Tampere University and Tampere University of Applied Sciences create a unique environment for multidisciplinary, inspirational and high-impact research and education. Our universities community has its competitive edges in technology, health and society. www.tuni.fi/en

Within the unit of Automation Technology and Mechanical Engineering, faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, we are recruiting one (1) postdoctoral position. The unit has about 20 professors and 200 research staff in the areas of Robotics, Automation, and Mechanical engineering. Robotics is one of the core areas of education and research of the faculty, in close collaboration with the units of computer science and signal processing. The position is opened in the Cognitive Robotics research group.

The Cognitive Robotics Group focuses on robotics and how they can work in close collaboration with people. Research topics include robot design (robot manipulators and soft grippers), perception for robot manipulation (grasping, assembly), perception for human-robot interaction (speech, learning from demonstration), large- and visual-language models for robot manipulation, motion planning and control and software development. All topics have a heavy focus on AI-based methods (e.g., machine or deep learning) and their real-time execution on real robot systems. Research takes inspiration both from industrial applications in the areas of manufacturing and inspection & maintenance for large infrastructures (e.g., CERN). The group is led by Prof. Roel Pieters, has a strong network in the European Robotics scene, and good connections to industry that provide challenging use cases. 

The group is well-equipped and a dynamic community with a large group of doctoral researchers and research assistants.

Job description

We are looking for one (1) Doctoral researcher:

The work will be related to AI-based approaches for robot manipulation and interaction (e.g. foundation models such as Large Language Models and Visual-Language Models). Demonstrated experience with programming (Python, C++, ROS) is required as well as experience with industrial robot manipulators and/or perception systems. In addition, experience with learning-based approaches and related simulation software tools is beneficial. The research is related to the following projects:

1. Practical and Reliable Foundation Models for Robot Manipulation (PERFORM, RCF): https://research.fi/en/results/funding/83079 
2. AI-driven multimodal interaction for advanced user-centric human robot collaborative applications (JARVIS, Horizon Europe): https://www.jarvis-project.eu/
3. See other projects of the group: link

In addition, activities include supervision of MSc and BSc students and support of the general activities of the research lab.

Requirements

We seek a motivated and self-guided person with strong theoretical background who is interested in practical robot applications. 

You should have a MSc degree in a relevant field. We expect a competence to pursue independent scientific work and adequate writing skills. You should be fluent in spoken and written English.

The candidates are selected based on the researcher potential demonstrated through the previous studies and merits in research work and thesis writing. In particular, the relevant indicators, in the order of importance, that we examine at the first stage are (1) Grade of M.Sc. thesis, (2) GPA of M.Sc. and B.Sc. studies, (3) preliminary research plan, (4) motivation letter, (5) potential scientific publications and other academic merits listed in the CV. Please see below for the necessary documents attached to the application. Good oral and written communication skills and cooperation abilities are necessary factors in the selection procedure. 

The successful candidate needs to apply for and be granted a study right for a doctoral degree in the doctoral program of the discipline at Tampere University. Please visit the admissions webpage for more information on eligibility requirements. Pay special attention to the language requirements. 

We offer

We offer the possibility to be part of world class research teams with a unique view to the major industry players in this field both in Finland and Europe:  https://www.six.fi/partners

The position will be offered for a fixed-term period of 3 years and can be potentially extended. The planned starting date will be mutually agreed but can be as early as 1.9.2025. A trial period of six (6) months applies to all our new employees.  

The salary will be based on both the job demand level and the employee's personal performance in accordance with the Finnish University Salary System. According to the criteria applied to teaching and research staff, the starting salary of the Doctoral Researcher varies between 2700 Euro - 2850 Euro.

As a member of the dynamic and innovative international community of Tampere University, you will have access to a range of competitive benefits, including occupational health care services, flexible work schedules, versatile research infrastructure, modern teaching facilities, and a safe and inviting campus area. You will also have a personal fund to spend on sports and cultural activities during your free time. Please read more about working at Tampere University. You can also find more information about us and working and living Tampere by watching our video: Tampere Higher Education Community - our academic playground.  

Tampere is the largest inland city in Finland and is considered a major academic hub in the Nordic countries. The region is home to a vibrant, knowledge-intensive entrepreneurial community, and the city is an industrial powerhouse with a rich cultural scene and a reputation as a centre of Finland's information society. Additionally, Finland is known for being one of the most stable, free, and safe countries in the world, based on various ratings by prominent agencies. Tampere is surrounded by stunning nature, with forests and lakes offering countless opportunities for easy-to-access outdoor adventures and refreshment throughout the year.

Read more about Finland and Tampere: 

• Visit Finland
• This is Finland
• Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment: Welcome to Finland
• Visit Tampere

How to apply

Please submit your application through our online recruitment system. The closing date for applications is 6 August 2025 (at 23.59 EEST / UTC +3). 

Please submit your application and all the accompanying documentation in English and attach them in PDF format. Please attach only the following documents to your application:

• A motivation letter (max 1 page).
• A preliminary research plan (max 2 pages). The letter must be signed by the applicant and responsible supervisor. 
• Curriculum vitae according to the TENK template, including a potential list of publication(s).
• Copy of your Master’s and Bachelor’s degree certificates, including transcripts of all university records and their English translations (Finnish certificates are accepted) and Diploma Supplement.

For more information, please contact:

Cognitive Robotics group:
 Professor, Group Leader Roel Pieters, roel.pieters (at) tuni.fi

If you have queries regarding the submission of your application, please contact: Inkeri Koskela, HR Specialist, inkeri.koskela(at)tuni.fi 

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Tampereen yliopisto ja Tampereen ammattikorkeakoulu muodostavat korkeakouluyhteisön, joka uskoo ihmiseen ja tieteeseen. Tekniikan, terveyden ja yhteiskunnan huippuosaajat muuttavat maailmaa Suomen toiseksi suurimmassa monitieteisessä ja innostavassa tutkimus- ja oppimisympäristössä. www.tuni.fi

“Cognitive Robotics”-ryhmä Tekniikan ja luonnontieteiden tiedekunnassa tutkii ihmisten ja robottien mahdollisuuksia työskennellä yhdessä. Tutkimuskohteisiin kuuluvat robottikäsittelyn havainnointi (tarttuminen, kokoaminen), robotin ja ihmisen välisen vuorovaikutuksen havainnointi (puhe, mallioppiminen), robottikäsittelyn visuaaliset kielimallit, liikkeen suunnittelu ja ohjaus, ohjelmistokehitys ja turvallisuus. Kaikki tutkimusaiheet keskittyvät tekoälypohjaisiin menetelmiin (koneoppimiseen tai syväoppimiseen) ja niiden reaaliaikaiseen toteutukseen todellisilla roboteilla. Tutkimus saa innoituksensa teollisissa valmistusympäristöissä käytettävistä applikaatioista ja suurten infrastruktuurien tarkastamisesta ja huollosta (esim. CERN). Tutkimusryhmää johtaa professori Roel Pieters ja ryhmällä on tutkimusalan vahva eurooppalainen verkosto, sekä vahva yhteistyö teollisuuden joka tarjoaa haastavia sovellusympäristöjä. 

Tehtävänkuvaus

Tutkimusryhmä hakee tutkijatohtoria, jolla on vahva teoreettinen osaaminen ja on kiinnostunut käytännön sovelluksista. 

Tehtävään kuuluu tutkimustyön johtaminen, tutkimustohtoriopiskelijoiden ohjaus, sekä oma tutkimustyö.

Tarkemmat tehtävänkuvaukset ja tehtävään liittyvät tutkimusprojektit ovat esitelty ilmoituksen englanninkielisessä osassa.

Hakuohjeet

Lue tarkemmat tiedot tehtävästä ja hakuohjeet yllä olevasta englanninkielisestä ilmoituksesta.

Jätäthän hakemuksesi yliopiston sähköisellä hakulomakkeella (linkki löytyy tämän ilmoituksen alta). Hakuaika tehtävään päättyy 6.8.2025 klo 23.59.

Lisätiedot:

Cognitive Robotics ryhmä:
 Professor, Ryhmänjohtaja Roel Pieters, roel.pieters (at) tuni.fi