Professorship (W3) in Foundations of Cognitive Robotics

The university is a reliable employer, partner for technology transfer and is committed to the interdisciplinary integration of engineering, natural sciences, humanities, and social sciences based on the fundamentals of cutting-edge research at a disciplinary level.

The University of Stuttgart is calling for applicants to a W3 professorship “Foundations of Cognitive Robotics” in the Faculty of Computer Science, Electrical Engineering and Information Technology. The research areas of this professorship are motivated by current and future challenging robotics applications and focus on state-of-the-art methods of artificial intelligence, machine learning, and control theory for the design and use of cognitive robots. In addition to industrial robotics, we are seeking applicants whose research domains are in service robotics with a wide variety of application areas such as logistics, architecture/construction, agriculture, health/care and assistance technology.

In particular, the following research areas are considered:

• Method development for machine learning in cognitive robotics
• Simulation-driven learning and real-world transfer
• Model-based planning and learning (and their connections)
• Dexterity in complex applications of cognitive robotics
• Image and sensor-based learning and control of robot systems
• Control of networked learning robots
• Development and implementation of methods for human-robot interaction and collaboration

Active participation and further development of the research and transfer activities of the research campus ARENA2036, the excellence clusters of the University of Stuttgart and the innovation campus mobility as well as the further development of the Stuttgart technology and innovation campus S-TEC and Cyber Valley are expected. The future incumbent is also expected to participate in and help shape the German and English-language teaching in the bachelor's and master's programs of the faculty, as well as actively raising third-party funds and participating in collaborative research projects at the university.

This professorship (W3) follows the "Karlsruher model". This involves an appointment to a professorship at the University of Stuttgart with full academic rights and duties (including the passive right to vote). The jointly appointed person also holds management positions at the Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Engineering and Automation IPA. Embedded in the "Computer Science" department of Faculty 5, especially the Institute for Artificial Intelligence, the appointed person should devote himself to interdisciplinary research and teaching in computer science and engineering. Participation in academic self-administration and the independent acquisition of third-party funds are expected. Comprehensive knowledge in the fields of computer science and software engineering is required, as well as a high level of pedagogical aptitude.

We are seeking for an individual who is distinguished by high-ranking scientific publications or patents with international visibility. For a qualitative assessment of your academic accomplishments, we kindly ask you to submit a short description of your three most important scientific achievements, which should be no longer than one page in total. Possible successes may include, for example, those in the fields of research, teaching, science and society, knowledge and technology transfer, inventions and patents, software development, or spin-offs. The requirements for employment listed in § 47 and § 50 Baden-Württemberg university law (LHG) apply.

Written applications (including a detailed curriculum vitae, copies of certificates, a list of publications, research and teaching statements, a list of the three most important scientific achievements as well as the completed form at https://www.f05.uni-stuttgart.de/open-positions should be sent in electronic form no later than June 16, 2024 to Prof. Mathias Niepert, Dean's Office, Pfaffenwaldring 47, 70569 Stuttgart, Germany, e-mail: dekanat@f05.uni-stuttgart.de, preferably as a single PDF file. At https://www.f05.uni-stuttgart.de/open-positions you will find our public key for encrypting your e-mail. Please be aware of the risks regarding confidentiality and the integrity of your application contents when sending your application via unencrypted email. Alternatively, postal applications to Dekanat Fakultät 5, Pfaffenwaldring 47, 70569 Stuttgart, Germany are also accepted. Please address any questions regarding the current appointment process to Prof. Mathias Niepert.

The University of Stuttgart is an equal opportunity employer. Applications from women are strongly encouraged. Disabled persons will be given preference in case of equal qualifications.

The University of Stuttgart has established a Dual Career Program to offer assistance to partners of those moving to Stuttgart. For more information, please visit the website https://www.uni-stuttgart.de/universitaet/arbeitgeber/dualcareer/

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