Researcher on Network-Centric Distributed Cognitive Robotic Systems (m/f/x) (Ingenieur/in - Elektrotechnik)

In order to fill a fixed-term position in full-time (39.83 hours/week = 100%) at the earliest possible date, we are looking for a

Researcher on Network-Centric Distributed Cognitive Robotic Systems (m/f/x)

The Institute of Networked Energy-Efficient Systems is dedicated to advancing autonomous, energy-efficient cloud-based networks that support cutting-edge services and innovations. We are assembling a talented international team committed to pioneering research and teaching in this dynamic field.

We are looking for a highly motivated researcher to join an ambitious research program aimed at developing the next generation of network-centric distributed cognitive robotic systems. The position addresses the fundamental challenge of how heterogeneous autonomous agents, including humanoids, quadrupeds, drones, and intelligent sensor platforms, can collaboratively perceive, reason, learn, efficiently communicate, and act in dynamic environments. The researcher will join the Institute of Networked Energy-Efficient Systems at the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology, Ruhr University Bochum. This is a full-time position with immediate availability.

Scope: full-time
Duration: fixed-term, 3 years
Start: at the earliest possible date
Apply by: 2026-10-05

Your tasks:

- Design and develop novel architectures for distributed cognitive robotic systems operating across edge-cloud infrastructures and heterogeneous robot platforms.
- Investigate semantic world modelling, distributed probabilistic reasoning, and collaborative perception among robots.
- Develop innovative task allocation, coalition formation, and distributed planning mechanisms for robotic missions
- Design event-driven communication and coordination protocols enabling scalable robot collaboration under bandwidth and latency constraints.
- Explore learning-based approaches for multi-agent coordination, adaptive communication, continual learning, and autonomous decision making.
- Develop digital twin frameworks integrating simulation environments and real robotic deployments.
- Prototype and experimentally validate proposed solutions using robotic simulation platforms (i.e., Isaac Sim, Gazebo), edge-cloud infrastructures, and real robotic systems.
- Collaborate closely with researchers working on robotics, distributed systems, AI, cloud-edge computing, communication networks, and autonomous systems.
- Participate in interdisciplinary research projects involving both academic and industrial partners.
- Publish research findings in leading conferences and journals in robotics, AI, networking, distributed systems, and autonomous systems.
- Contribute to research project planning, execution, reporting, and proposal preparation.
- Assist in the supervision of student projects and junior researchers.
- Support teaching activities in areas related to artificial intelligence, cloud-edge systems, distributed computing, and future communication systems.
- Support the organization of outreach activities related to the Institute’s research activities.

Your profile:

- Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Telecommunications, or a related field. Prior publications in renowned transactions, journals, and the proceedings of reputable conferences are highly desirable and advantageous.
- Robotics and Autonomous Systems , Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning
- Multi-Agent Systems, Multi-Agent Reinforcement Learning
- Distributed Systems and Cloud-Edge Computing, Robot Operating System (ROS2), Computer Vision and Sensor Fusion
- Semantic Reasoning and Knowledge Graphs , Optimization and Planning Algorithms
- Familiarity with frameworks such as Isaac Sim, Gazebo, PyTorch, Ray RLlib, Kubernetes, Docker, NATS
- Knowledge of 5G and beyond communication standards and technologies is highly desirable.
- Ability to independently and proactively design, execute, and analyse experimental research.
- Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills , Strong scientific writing and communication abilities
- Ability to collaborate effectively in multidisciplinary and international teams, Strong motivation to pursue high-impact research

https://jobs.ruhr-uni-bochum.de/jobposting/1ab0fc43477e788ff79e55e3ab10e239ccd6fb670?ref=AfA (https://jobs.ruhr-uni-bochum.de/jobposting/1ab0fc43477e788ff79e55e3ab10e239ccd6fb670?ref=AfA)