Assistant with Master in Robotics

The University of Applied Sciences and Arts of Southern Switzerland (SUPSI) invites applications for an Assistant with Master in Robotics , at the Dalle Molle Institute for Artificial Intelligence (IDSIA USI-SUPSI) within the Department of Innovative Technologies (DTI), located in Lugano. The degree of employment is 100%, with a contract starting on , or on a mutually agreed date.

Duties and responsibilities

• Design and develop navigation algorithms for autonomous self-balancing systems, including omnidirectional sensing-based navigation, fail-safe navigation, and shared autonomy functionalities
• Lead the integration and validation of the autonomy stack on a real robotic platform, from onboard hardware integration to testing in representative indoor and outdoor environments
• Collaborate with industrial partners to support the transition from research prototype to a product with TRL 6-7
• Collaborate with researchers, PhD candidates and Master's students, supporting their research activities and scientific development
• Contribute to the preparation and dissemination of research results, to be included in publications in high-quality international conferences and journals
• Support the search, management and execution of funded research projects, ensuring timely delivery of milestones and maintaining effective communication with academic and industrial partners

Requirements

Technical background and skills

• Master's degree in Robotics or a related field, with less of three years of professional experience
• Solid programming skills in Python (and ideally C++) for robotics applications, with experience in ROS2-based development
• Proven experience in autonomous systems and robot perception and control, including areas such as navigation and/or human-robot interaction
• Excellent analytical, mathematical, and problem-solving skills.

Soft skills

• Strong motivation for applied research at the intersection of AI, robotics, and real-world deployment, with genuine interest in bridging academic research and industrial innovation
• Ability to work independently while contributing effectively to multidisciplinary and international research teams
• Excellent communication skills in English, both written and spoken
• Strong organizational skills, proactivity, and a problem-solving mindset oriented toward impactful and high-quality research

Desirable but not strictly required

• Experience with deep learning frameworks (e.g. PyTorch, TensorFlow) applied to perception or robotics tasks
• Hands-on experience with rapid prototyping, including 3D printing and hardware integration
• Scientific publications in high-quality international conferences and journals in the relevant research areas

What SUPSI Offers

• A full-time employment contract, initially for two years, with possibility of extension.
• Attractive salary, in line with Swiss standards and the candidate's experience.
• An international working environment.
• Travel support to participate to high-quality conferences and workshops.
• Opportunity to develop professional and scientific skills.
• Co-supervision of students.

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