Overview
PhD Scholarship Programme Vicente López: Researcher in Generative Multimodal World Modeling and Predictive Reasoning for Autonomous Robots at Eurecat - Technology Centre.
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About Eurecat Robotics and Automation Unit
Eurecat Robotics and Automation Unit specializes in pioneering research aimed at enabling intelligent robotic systems that can dynamically adapt and reliably operate within complex human-centric environments.
With a multidisciplinary team of experts in artificial intelligence, robotics, and human-robot interaction, the unit integrates cutting-edge generative AI models, advanced cognitive robotics methodologies, and state-of-the-art multimodal perception technologies.
Eurecat's research outcomes span applications including assistive technologies, healthcare robotics, industrial automation, and urban service robots.
The team combines deep learning, symbolic reasoning, reinforcement learning, and neuro-symbolic hybrid methods to ensure robust, adaptable, and scalable solutions for real-world deployment.
Eurecat Robotics and Automation Unit, in collaboration with Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya, has opened a position for a PhD candidate to develop a thesis in the field of Generative Multimodal World Modeling and Predictive Reasoning for Autonomous Robots.
This thesis aims to pioneer a comprehensive robotic world-modeling framework leveraging state-of-the-art generative AI techniques (Vision-Language Models, Diffusion Models) and advanced multimodal methods.
The core objective is to establish predictive models that robustly represent both physical and semantic dimensions of the environment.
By synthesizing multimodal sensory inputs (visual, linguistic, tactile, and spatial), the research will enable robots to accurately predict outcomes of their actions, ground generative model outputs in real-world sensor data, and dynamically reason about potential future states.
Emphasis will be placed on developing innovative knowledge representations using graph-based neural networks to facilitate real-time updates and intelligent decision-making.
The outcome will significantly enhance robotic autonomy and adaptability in complex, uncertain, and human-centric scenarios.
Functions and Responsibilities
Literature Review & State-of-the-Art Analysis: Comprehensive analysis of generative modeling (VLMs, diffusion) and multimodal prediction methods.
Generative Multimodal World Modeling: Build generative world models that integrate visual, linguistic, tactile, and forces data for richer, context-aware environmental representations.
Predictive Consequence Reasoning: Integrate multimodal world models with reasoning modules to predict and evaluate the consequences of actions to support planning in open-world settings.
Semantic and Physical Grounding: Design hybrid grounding methods combining generative VLM outputs with real-time sensor data for accurate understanding and actionable interpretation.
Modern Knowledge Representation: Develop dynamic knowledge representations using Graph Neural Networks (GNNs) and Graph Transformers for real-time updates and efficient retrieval.
System Integration & Validation: Integrate algorithms into robotic platforms and validate performance in simulated and real-world open-domain scenarios (e.g., domestic, healthcare, urban environments).
Publications & Collaborations: Publish findings in top-tier robotics/AI conferences (ICRA, RSS, CoRL) and collaborate with research partners in the Catalan & European research ecosystem.
Offer
Full-time contract
Duration: 3 years
27 days of paid holiday leave
Adaptable schedule
Reduced work hours on Fridays and during the summer
Access to a wellness platform
Annual gross compensation and coverage of university PhD enrollment fees
Flexible benefits package
PhD training program
Requirements
Studies and Knowledge
MSc degree in Robotics, AI, Machine Learning, or related fields.
Strong background in deep learning, generative models (VLMs, diffusion models), multimodal AI, and robotics.
Experience
Proficient in Python, PyTorch/TensorFlow.
Experience in robotics frameworks (ROS/ROS2) and familiarity with multimodal data processing (vision, language, tactile).
Languages
Excellent oral and written communication skills in English.
Knowledge of Catalan and/or Spanish is considered an asset.
Submission of Applications
To formalize their application, applicants must:
Complete the registration forms with all requested information and provide the following documents: photocopy of valid NIF/NIE or passport, CV and cover letter, photocopy of the official academic certificate or payment receipt, academic transcript of master's degree, and accreditation of other relevant achievements.
If the master's degree is not yet completed, provide the most recent transcript.
Submit before September 15th, ****.
Selection Process
The selection process will be led by a committee including Scientific Management, a specialist from People and Organization, and the thesis supervisor.
Applications will be evaluated based on curriculum, transcript, previous research activity, experience in the field, and English fluency, with interviews as part of the process.
Curriculum: Up to 20 points
Motivation Letter: Up to 10 points
Academic Transcript: Up to 20 points
Previous research activity: Up to 10 points
Previous industry experience: Up to 10 points
Fluency in English: Up to 10 points
Fluency in Spanish: Up to 10 points
Fluency in Catalan: Up to 10 points
The committee will create a prioritized list of positively evaluated applications.
If no application reaches the minimum score of 60 points, Eurecat may restart the process with new deadlines.
Applicants will be informed of the status of their application by email.
Submitting an application implies acceptance of these terms.
Incomplete documentation or non-compliance may result in exclusion.
Decisions will be communicated via the registration email.
Seniority level
Not Applicable
Employment type
Full-time
Job function
Research
Industries: Research Services
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