Two Postdoctoral Positions in Robot Learning and Embodied AI
Machine Intelligence for Robot Autonomy (MIRA) Laboratory
AI4I — Italian Institute of Artificial Intelligence, Turin
Principal Investigator
Dr. Daniele Gammelli
Location
Turin, Italy
Duration
2 years, renewable
Start date
Preferred November 2026; flexible
Compensation
€30,000–€55,000 gross per year
(Researchers relocating from abroad may be eligible for tax exemptions of up to 90%. [link])
Deadline
September 30, 2026 — applications reviewed on a rolling basis until filled
The Machine Intelligence for Robot Autonomy (MIRA) Laboratory at the Italian Institute of Artificial Intelligence (AI4I), is seeking two Postdoctoral Researchers in Robot Learning and Embodied AI.
Our goal at MIRA is to develop the algorithmic foundations and system-level methodologies that enable AI-powered autonomous systems to operate safely, efficiently, and reliably in high-stakes environments. Our work addresses these challenges by employing and advancing techniques from AI/ML, statistical learning, control theory, and mathematical optimization, and we apply the results to aerospace robotics, future mobility systems, and autonomy at large.
Ultimately, the goal of our lab is to push the boundaries of autonomy in high-stakes, safety-critical domains. These environments force existing methods to operate at the edge of what is currently possible, accelerating the next generation of autonomous systems: “a wind tunnel for Physical AI”.
We are looking for researchers who want to tackle ambitious problems in AI and autonomy, with strong technical foundations, clear scientific taste, and the ambition to define and lead new research directions.
Research
Successful candidates will have the freedom and support to shape their research agenda within the broader scientific direction of MIRA. Topics of interest include:
- Foundation models for autonomy, including LLMs, VLMs, and VLAs
- Reinforcement Learning and Imitation Learning
- Physical AI safety
- Continual learning, generalization under distribution shift, and real-time adaptation
- World models
- Integration of learning with optimal control and model-based methods
- Decision-making for large-scale, coordinated, multi-agent autonomous systems
We are especially interested in research that moves beyond isolated capabilities toward integrated robot autonomy that operates robustly beyond tightly controlled demonstrations.
Research environment
MIRA is part of AI4I, a national research institute dedicated to foundational and applied research in artificial intelligence. The lab is being built now, and the researchers who join at this stage will shape its research agenda, its experimental infrastructure, and its scientific culture.
Postdoctoral researchers will be encouraged to lead ambitious projects, publish at top international venues, build and test methods on real robotic systems, mentor junior researchers, and contribute to the scientific direction of the laboratory.
MIRA is proud to maintain active collaborations with frontier research labs and institutions, including Stanford University, MIT, ETH Zurich, DTU, TUM, NASA, ESA, and others. Depending on the candidate's research program, opportunities may include research visits and extended scientific exchanges. The working language of the lab is English.
Who we are looking for
- Applicants should hold, or be close to completing, a PhD in artificial intelligence, robotics, computer vision, machine learning, control, or a related field
- A strong publication record at top AI and robotics venues (NeurIPS, ICLR, ICML, ICRA, IROS, RSS, CVPR, CoRL, L4DC, and similar)
- Research depth in one or more of the areas listed above
- Strong programming skills in Python and fluency with modern deep learning frameworks
- Experience with physical robotic systems and autonomy software, including ROS or ROS 2, are highly valued
Candidates are not expected to cover every area. Depth, originality, motivation, and the ability to pursue important research questions matter more than matching a checklist of techniques.
What we offer
- An ambitious, dynamic research environment. MIRA is a new laboratory inside a national AI institute, and researchers joining at this stage will help shape its research agenda, its experimental capabilities, and its scientific culture. Substantial intellectual freedom, and the opportunity to work on real-world applications
- Compute and experimental facilities. Researchers have access to Peano, AI4I's AI Foundry: 148 NVIDIA GPUs across H200 and B200 architectures. Peano entered the TOP500 ranking of the world's most powerful supercomputers in June 2026 at #315 and placed #101 on the HPCG list. Researchers will also have access to MIRA’s tailored computational and experimental facilities
- International collaboration. Active ties with frontier research labs and institutions, with opportunities for research visits and extended scientific exchanges depending on the candidate's research program.
- Leadership and mentoring. Opportunities to develop as an independent researcher through co-supervision of PhD students, involvement in grant and proposal writing, and a direct role in the scientific direction of a growing laboratory
- Competitive compensation and support for professional development and mobility. Support for conference participation, travel, and visits to collaborating institutions
How to apply
Please submit the following documents in a single PDF:
- A CV, including a complete publication list
- 2 selected publications
- A research statement (1-2 pages) describing previous work, current interests, and research directions you would pursue at MIRA
- Link to GitHub or personal webpage (if available)
- The names and contact information of two references
Applications are evaluated on research quality, originality, technical depth, and alignment with the scientific interests of MIRA.
We welcome applications from researchers who want to ask ambitious questions and help shape the next generation of autonomous systems.
While we strive to provide individualized feedback whenever possible, we may not be able to respond to every applicant. Shortlisted candidates will be contacted directly.
About Us
The Italian Institute for Artificial Intelligence (AI4I) was founded as a research institute to perform transformative, application-oriented research in Artificial Intelligence, driving innovation and industrial progress. The Institute is designed to engage and empower gifted, entrepreneurial, and ambitious researchers who are committed to generating real-world impact at the intersection of science, technology, and industrial transformation.
Competitive salaries, performance-based incentives, access to dedicated high-performance computing resources, state-of-the-art laboratories, and strong industrial collaborations are among the distinctive features that define AI4I. The Institute fosters a dynamic international environment and an ecosystem that supports the creation and growth of innovative startups.
AI4I’s mission is to advance scientific research, technology transfer, and, more broadly, Italy’s innovation capacity, promoting positive impact across industry, services, and public administration. To achieve this, the Institute contributes to building a research and innovation infrastructure that leverages AI methods, with a special focus on manufacturing processes and the broader Industry 4.0 value chain.
AI4I also maintains strategic relationships with leading organizations in Italy and abroad, including Competence Centers and European Digital Innovation Hubs (EDIHs), positioning itself as an attractive destination for researchers, companies, and startups seeking collaboration and impact.
AI4I is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes applications from all qualified candidates regardless of gender, nationality, ethnicity, religion, disability, age, or sexual orientation.