Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia

Researcher in Behavior Modeling, Perception and Control for Assistive Robotics

Italy

Commitment & contract: collaborator 1 year (renewable)

Location: Center for Robotics and Intelligent Systems, Genova

WHO WE ARE

At IIT, we are committed to advancing human-centered Science and Technology to address the most urgent societal challenges of our era. We foster excellence in both fundamental and applied research, spanning fields such as neuroscience and cognition, humanoid technologies and robotics, artificial intelligence, nanotechnology, and material sciences, offering a truly interdisciplinary scientific experience. Our approach integrates cutting-edge tools and technology, empowering researchers to push the limits of knowledge and innovation.

We are dedicated to providing equal employment opportunities and fostering diversity in all its forms, creating an inclusive environment. We value the unique experiences, knowledge, backgrounds, cultures, and perspectives of our people. By embracing diversity, we believe science can achieve its fullest potential.

THE ROLE

You will be working in a multicultural and multi-disciplinary group, where junior, senior scientists and engineers collaborate, each with their expertise, to carry out a scientific activity with a shared research goal. You will join the Humanoid Sensing and Perception Research Unit (https://hsp.iit.it) working under the supervision of Lorenzo Natale. The research focuses on computer vision, tactile sensing, and the development of software technologies for seamless interaction of perception and action. Application domains span rehabilitation, human-robot collaboration, service, and industrial robotics

We are seeking a motivated and talented researcher to join our interdisciplinary team working at the intersection of robotics, cognitive science, and human-robot interaction. The successful candidate will contribute to the development of intelligent, humanoid robots that support humans in assistive and therapeutic contexts.

The research will focus on:

  • Modeling of human behavior in response to social and environmental cues;
  • Design and implementation of perception algorithms for detecting and interpreting social signals such as gaze, gestures, and facial expressions;
  • Development of robot control strategies for generating communicative and interactive behaviors in real-time;
  • Application of these techniques for control of humanoid robots in collaborative settings and robot-assisted therapy and rehabilitation.

The candidate will be required to coordinate activities of other researchers (PhD and postdoctoral researchers) and engineers and assist in proposal writing.

This position offers the opportunity to work with state-of-the-art robotic platforms and collaborate with experts in robotics, neuroscience, and healthcare.

ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS

  • A PhD in Robotics, Computer Vision or related disciplines
  • Documented experience in Machine Learning, Computer Vision
  • Good knowledge of programming languages and Deep Learning frameworks
  • Experience working with real robotic platforms
  • Strong publication record
  • Good command of spoken and written English

ADDITIONAL SKILLS

  • Experience in Human-Robot interaction
  • Experience working with Humanoid Robots
  • Knowledge of programming languages C++ and Python
  • Knowledge of software middleware for robotics (e.g., YARP, ROS or ROS2)
  • Capacity to work autonomously and collaboratively in a highly interdisciplinary environment
  • Possess Analytical Reasoning skills and a growth mindset

COMPENSATION PACKAGE

  • Private health care coverage depending on your role and contract
  • Candidates from abroad or Italian citizens who have carried scientific research activity permanently abroad and meet specific requirements, may be entitled to a deduction from taxable income of up to 90% from 6 to 13 years.

Please submit your application using the online form and including a detailed CV, university transcripts, cover letter, 3 representative publications and 3 reference letters.

Application’s deadline: July 6th, 2025

To discover more about life at IIT, visit the dedicated section here: https://www.iit.it/en/work-at-iit

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