Cyber Valley Max Planck Research Group Leader (f/m/d)

The Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems, Stuttgart-Tübingen, Germany, invites applications for a:

Max Planck Research Group Leader (f/m/d) in the Cyber Valley research consortium at Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems Stuttgart site

Cyber Valley is Europe’s largest consortium for research and innovation in artificial intelligence. Founded at the end of 2016, it brings academic and private sector partners together with the aim of creating a thriving ecosystem in southwestern Germany. Within just five years, the consortium has gained significant momentum: today, Cyber Valley partner institutions count almost 100 faculty members from around the world. What’s more, as a growing number of scientists are taking their research findings to market, the Stuttgart/Tübingen region has recently seen a flourishing start-up scene emerge. In short, in the field of intelligent systems, Cyber Valley has quickly become a European hub for excellence not only in basic research, but also with regard to technology and knowledge transfer.

Successful candidates should have an outstanding international early-career track record in research related to all aspects of intelligent systems, exhibiting perception, action, and learning. This can include, for instance:

• Robotics, all areas, including soft robotics, robot collectives, medical robotics, haptics, robotic materials, biohybrid/bioinspired robotics, robot learning and control, physical intelligence, human-robot interaction
• Machine learning for robotics

The research-focused positions provide funding for a Cyber Valley Research Group located at the Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems. Group leaders are expected to establish a competitive basic research program. The research group will actively engage with other members of the research environment, including Cyber Valley partners. It will benefit from outstanding research infrastructure and a stimulating, supportive environment for successful company startups in the field of artificial intelligence.

The salary package is based on remuneration group W2 of the German Federal Civil Service Remuneration Act (Bundesbesoldungsgesetz – BBesG). Group leaders are provided with considerable funding for personnel, equipment, and running costs. This gives them the flexibility to focus completely on their independent research agenda. The Cyber Valley Max Planck Research Group is limited to a term of five years. Depending on the progress of your work and taking funding possibilities and labor legislation into account, your employment contract can be extended at most twice, by two years in each case, on an individual basis according to scientific criteria and after a positive evaluation. The group leader position offers junior scientists with a doctoral degree an excellent springboard to high-level scientific positions.

The Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems is an equal opportunity employer dedicated to excellence through diversity and does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, sex, disability, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, marital status, gender identity, or any other non-job-related criteria. The MPI-IS recognizes the importance of a multicultural community of students, faculty, and staff who seek to advance our commitment to diversity. Committed to attracting and retaining diverse staff, the MPI-IS will honor your experiences, perspectives, and unique identity. Together, our community strives to create and maintain working and learning environments that are inclusive, equitable, and welcoming.
The Max Planck Society wishes to increase the number of women in those areas where they are underrepresented. Women are therefore explicitly encouraged to apply. The Max Planck Society is committed to increasing the number of employees with severe disabilities in its workforce. Applications from persons with severe disabilities are expressly desired.

Applications should contain a description of past and future research activities (up to three pages). Please submit a resume and list of publications in English as a single pdf-file through the online application system.

In addition, three reference letters must be submitted directly by the referees. After you have registered in the online application system, you will get further information about how these letters should be sent.

Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact us at applications@is.mpg.de.

The closing date for applications is November 14, 2021.