We are seeking a highly motivated, enthusiastic, and communicative researcher with a proactive and creative attitude, eager to explore innovative solutions at the intersection of robotics, mechatronics, and autonomous systems. If you recognise yourself in the profile below, we encourage you to apply:
1. I hold a Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechatronic Engineering, Robotics, Control, Computer Science, Aerospace Engineering, or a related field, and have performed above average relative to my peers.
2. I am proficient in written and spoken English.
3. I have gathered experience with one or more of the following: aerial robotics, robot kinematics and dynamics, control systems design, sensor fusion, machine learning for robotics, or motion planning. Prior experience with ROS, MATLAB/Simulink, or embedded hardware is a plus.
4. I am proficient in Python and/or C++ and am familiar with simulation environments (e.g. Gazebo, MATLAB) and hardware-in-the-loop testing.
5. As a PhD researcher at KU Leuven, I perform research in a structured and scientifically sound manner. I read technical papers, understand the nuances between competing methodologies, and implement and improve algorithms independently.
6. Based on interactions with my supervisors and colleagues, I set up and regularly update a plan of approach for the upcoming 1 to 3 months toward my research goals. I work with a sufficient degree of independence and proactively flag deviations or items for discussion.
7. In frequent reporting (weekly to monthly), I present my results clearly and give well-founded interpretations. I iterate on my work based on supervisor feedback and take ownership of my research direction.
8. I am comfortable working as a team member and eager to share my results to inspire and be inspired by my colleagues.
9. I value being part of a research group well connected to the mechatronics and aerospace industries, and am eager to learn how academic research can be linked to industrial innovation roadmaps.
10. During my PhD I want to grow towards representing the research group at conferences, disseminating my work to an international audience, and contributing to a broader understanding of my research field.
We encourage candidates from diverse backgrounds and experiences to apply, as we believe that different perspectives contribute to better research and innovation.
To apply for this position, please use the online application tool and submit the following documents in a single PDF file:
11. Motivation Letter: A letter (maximum 1 A4 page) addressing your strengths and qualifications in relation to the project, and indicating which work package(s) align most closely with your background and interests.
12. Complete Academic CV: A detailed CV including education, current position, work experience (if any), employment gaps (if any), interests, extracurricular activities, and projects demonstrating your programming skills and robotics/mechatronics background.
13. List of Publications: If applicable, provide a list of your publications with DOIs. Please do not include PDFs.
14. Copies of Diplomas: Include copies of your BSc and MSc degrees.
15. Transcript of Records: Provide transcripts for your BSc and MSc. If your Master’s degree is not yet complete, include available credits, scores, and a list of courses in your upcoming semester.
16. English Summary of Master Thesis: A summary in English (maximum 1 A4 page, or 2 pages when including a figure).
17. Proof of English Language Proficiency: Documentation demonstrating your proficiency in English (TOEFL, IELTS, or equivalent), if available.
18. Reference Letter or Contact Details: A reference letter or the contact information for one referee who can provide a recommendation letter upon request.
Aerial robotic manipulation, i.e. the ability to perform physical interaction and manipulation tasks while airborne, has matured significantly over the past decade. Current third-generation systems demonstrate complex manipulation in diverse environments and provide rapid access to high-altitude or hazardous workspaces, reducing cost, time, and operational risk across inspection, maintenance, and construction sectors. Despite these advances, third-generation ARMs remain constrained by limited flight endurance due to the exclusive use of multirotor platforms, restricted payload capacity, dependence on human supervision in unstructured environments, and perception systems that struggle in GNSS-denied or dynamically cluttered conditions. These limitations prevent their widespread deployment in real-world settings aligned with the Industry 5.0 vision of safe, sustainable, and human-centric production. This project outlines the conceptual and technical foundations for a fourth generation of ARMs, addressing these limitations through hybrid platform design, parallel manipulator architectures, multi-sensor fusion perception, and control-aware autonomous planning frameworks.
The objective of this PhD is to contribute to the development of fourth-generation aerial robotic manipulators by advancing one or more of the following four research pillars:
19. Design and implementation of novel hybrid VTOL platforms combining multirotor agility with efficient cruise capabilities, enabling longer endurance and omnidirectional wrench generation for aerial manipulation tasks.
20. Design and implementation of lightweight parallel/delta manipulator architectures tailored to aerial platforms, offering high precision and large singularity-free workspaces with reduced inertia compared to conventional anthropomorphic arms.
21. Fusion of heterogeneous sensor modalities (IMU, stereo vision, event cameras, LiDAR) for robust localization, mapping, and object detection in unstructured, GNSS-denied environments.
22. Development of control-aware, reactive planning frameworks enabling safe, autonomous operation in dynamic environments, reducing reliance on human supervision.
23. Validation of the developed systems is planned in controlled lab settings (drone cage, motion capture, onboard computing) and in application domains including agricultural operations (e.g. pruning and harvesting), industrial inspection (e.g. contact-based NDT in refineries), construction tasks (e.g. structural assembly), and dual-use scenarios (e.g. ordnance decommissioning).
The research is supervised by Prof. Jolan Wauters within the framework of an individual project on fourth-generation ARMs. It offers close collaboration with the RAM division of KU Leuven, university association partners, international research partners, and industry partners.
The Mechatronics Group (M-Group) at KU Leuven Bruges Campus is an interdisciplinary research team combining expertise from the Departments of Mechanical, Electrical, and Computer Engineering. One of its core research tracks focuses on intelligent mechatronic systems for real-world robotic applications. This PhD position targets the design and control of next-generation aerial robotic manipulators (ARMs), advancing hybrid platform technologies, novel manipulator arms, multi-source perception, and autonomous planning for safe and efficient aerial operation. The successful candidate will be offered to opportunity to pursue a PhD in Mechanical Engineering at KU Leuven, and will also be embedded within the Robotics, Automation and Mechatronics (RAM) division (https://www.mech.kuleuven.be/en/ram), which pursues excellence in an explicit and synergistic combination of fundamental and applied research on robotic, autonomous and mechatronic systems. Doctoral training is provided in the framework of the Leuven Arenberg Doctoral School (https://set.kuleuven.be/phd). The PhD will be supervised by Prof. Jolan Wauters.The position will be hosted within the collaborative and internationally oriented research environment at KU Leuven, one of the world’s leading universities (ranked among the top 100 globally). Founded in 1425, KU Leuven has been a centre of learning for nearly six centuries, is Belgium’s highest-ranked university, and has topped Reuters’ ranking of Europe’s most innovative universities for four consecutive years. We offer:
24. A fully funded 4-year PhD scholarship, with a remuneration package competitive with industry standards in Belgium, a country with a high quality of life and excellent healthcare.
25. Ample occasions to develop yourself in scientific and industrial directions. Further doctoral training is provided through the KU Leuven Arenberg Doctoral School (https://set.kuleuven.be/phd), with a strong focus on both future researchers and industry-ready professionals.
26. Access to state-of-the-art lab infrastructure purpose-built for this project, including a drone cage, motion capture system, computer hardware for simulation and data acquisition, and onboard computing units.
27. Opportunities to collaborate with international research partners, with the option for a planned research stay abroad during the PhD.
28. Active participation in international conferences (ICRA, IROS, ICUAS) and strong support for publishing high-quality journal articles.
29. A dynamic, interdisciplinary team of PhD students and engineers within the Mechatronics Group and RAM division of KU Leuven.
As a PhD candidate, you will be based at KU Leuven’s Bruges Campus, embedded in a dynamic team with access to purpose-built aerial robotics lab facilities, enabling experimental validation of your research in close collaboration with industrial and academic partners.