[I-RIM ML] [jobs] EoI for a POST-DOC Position in "Safe and efficient dynamic manipulation in cluttered environment" at the Research Centre "E. Piaggio" - University of Pisa

[Paolo Salaris]

Dear All,

Please allow me to advertise the following Expression of Interest for a 
job position at Research Centre “E. Piaggio”, University of Pisa, Italy 
in the topic of “/Safe and efficient dynamic manipulation in cluttered 
scenario/”.

Best regards,
Paolo Salaris

%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%

*#1 PostDoc position/Research Fellow at Research Centre “E. Piaggio”: 
University of Pisa, within the EU H2020 project DARKO (GA n. 01017274) 
in the topic of “Safe and efficient dynamic manipulation in cluttered 
scenario”.*

*RESEARCH ACTIVITY*

The goal of the PostDoc is to advance the state-of-the-art in mobile 
dynamic manipulation. The primary objective will be to develop (possibly 
optimal) path planning and control strategies that enable safe and 
efficient dynamic grasping and manipulation (e.g., grasping of moving 
objects and throwing of them toward desired positions) in cluttered 
environments (e.g., boxes on a shelf) by using as a feedback the onboard 
sensors available on the robot. Model-free methodologies base on sensory 
feedback will be also explored for completely solving or just refining 
the model-based solutions. The robotic platform used for testing all the 
developed algorithms (and available in our lab) consists of an 
omnidirectional mobile based with on top of it a manipulator (Franka 
arm) equipped with a compliant gripper with an elastic wrist.

*THE POSITION*

The position is open until a satisfactory candidate is found.

The PostDoc position is full-time for 1+1 years: upon completion of the 
first year, a renewal will be granted if both parties are satisfied.

The position will be paid according to the current Italian salary 
regulations for Postdoctoral scholars and will be determined depending 
on the level of experience and research seniority of the candidate.

*REQUIRED SKILLS*

The successful candidate should ideally have: 1) a PhD in robotics and 
automation, Mechanical/Information Engineering; 2) clear publication 
record in the main robotics conferences/journals (e.g., ICRA, IROS, RSS, 
RAL, TRO, IJRR, JFR, AURO); 3) good experience with programming (C, C++, 
ROS1/ROS2), experience with Matlab/Simulink and robotic simulation 
environments (e.g., Gazebo) as well as computer vision and visual 
servoing will also be appreciated; 4) strong interest in scientific 
robotics research: both the more theoretical and algorithmic side of 
robotics (e.g., nonlinear and optimal control, estimation, trajectory 
planning, machine learning approaches), but also the experimental one 
(design and implementation of experiments with complex robots); 5) 
Scientific curiosity, large autonomy and ability to work independently; 
6) Availability to co-supervise M.Sc. and Ph.D. students; 7) 
Availability to travel to international conferences and project meetings 
with partners.

The activities will be mainly supervised by Prof. Paolo Salaris 
(https://es.sonicurlprotection-fra.com/click?PV=2&MSGID=202404080952400131150&URLID=8&ESV=10.0.28.7941&IV=AFEB04EBEC19E0D6087FB4970B4AA0A0&TT=1712569965717&ESN=A0NwzMeqEtfV7blLFixtfVC%2FPr84ut%2FHoBsVMqAIv6Q%3D&KV=1536961729280&B64_ENCODED_URL=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuY2VudHJvcGlhZ2dpby51bmlwaS5pdC9-c2FsYXJpcw&HK=9CF407D12BC79118D2D642D668258A1AE03EA1CD639123D0E4270EECBC8EF8AD) in collaboration with the 
other researchers of the robotics group at the Research Centre “E. Piaggio”.

THE DARKO PROJECT

The project DARKO (https://es.sonicurlprotection-fra.com/click?PV=2&MSGID=202404080952400131150&URLID=7&ESV=10.0.28.7941&IV=E8FF6741EA993C0FE89FF27BEB408846&TT=1712569965717&ESN=YH5LjqNbR88MLR%2FEYaH%2FSo%2BUwlToExvUQZB72GPT4yk%3D&KV=1536961729280&B64_ENCODED_URL=aHR0cHM6Ly9kYXJrby1wcm9qZWN0LmV1&HK=4A926CC9E18F15DAEF57CB7288429C7562032717FEE15CCAE5173E9CDBA3915B), of which the Research 
Centre “E. Piaggio” of the University of Pisa is partner, sets out to 
realise a new generation of agile production robots that have 
energy-efficient elastic actuators to execute highly dynamic motions; 
are able to operate safely within unknown, changing environments; are 
easy (cost-efficient) to deploy; have predictive planning capabilities 
to decide for most efficient actions while limiting associated risks; 
and are aware of humans and their intentions to smoothly and intuitively 
interact with them. DARKO will demonstrate, in relevant scenarios, 
autonomous capabilities significantly beyond the current state of the 
art in dynamic manipulation (e.g., throwing of goods, picking and 
placing objects while in motion), perception, mapping, risk management, 
motion planning and human-robot interaction. Beyond its impact through 
improved capabilities in these areas, DARKO will provide answers to the 
questions where and how dynamic manipulation should be integrated as the 
most efficient solution in intra logistics.

THE UNIVERSITY OF PISA AND THE RESEARCH CENTRE “E. PIAGGIO”

The University of Pisa (UNIPI), founded in 1343, is a public institution 
among the oldest and most prestigious universities in Europe. Moreover, 
it has twenty departments high level research centres in the 
agriculture, astrophysics, computer science, engineering, medicine and 
veterinary medicine sectors. Among them, the Research Centre "Enrico 
Piaggio" (https://es.sonicurlprotection-fra.com/click?PV=2&MSGID=202404080952400131150&URLID=6&ESV=10.0.28.7941&IV=113A010D71E4326C14267705C186C854&TT=1712569965717&ESN=4%2BpaUWhPrKNMK86iIF2ijW0aplznnA3a385KsMq%2B8tM%3D&KV=1536961729280&B64_ENCODED_URL=aHR0cDovL3d3dy5jZW50cm9waWFnZ2lvLnVuaXBpLml0&HK=19C44F1F2F9AA9D9A923FDB60AC339A86D423216E7F9C8F32AB6A71AF7D9004D), since its foundation in 
September 1965, has paved the way for the convergence of minds by 
bringing together scientists from different fields of knowledge, ranging 
from engineering to mathematics, medicine and psychology, towards 
applications in Bioengineering and Robotics. The “Enrico Piaggio” 
Research Centre has long-standing experience in managing contracts with 
international, EU, and industrial partners. The Robotics group focuses 
on robotics and embodied intelligence, and it is among the originators 
of the modern approach to physical human-robot interaction, with a 
particular attention to the study of compliant actuators, hands and 
haptics, human tactual perception and the relationship between 
perceptual illusions in the visual and tactile domains.


INFORMATION

Interested applicants, possibly holding a Ph.D. degree, can contact, for 
additional information on the research activities and how to apply to 
this position, Prof. Paolo Salaris [paolo.salaris at unipi.it], with the 
subject: POSTDOC CANDIDATE (Safe and efficient dynamic manipulation in 
cluttered environment), providing a cover letter briefly describing the 
background and career plans as well as the CV.

-- 
Paolo Salaris, PhD

Associate Professor

*************************************
Department of Information Engineering
and Research Center "E.Piaggio",
School of Engineering - University of Pisa
Largo Lucio Lazzarino 1, 56122 Pisa, Italy

Email:paolo.salaris at unipi.it
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