Simula Research Laboratory AS

Position ID:

Simula-PHD3 [#28037]

Position Title:

PhD Position in Machine Learning for multi-sensory remote robotic avatars

Position Type:

Fellowship or award

Position Location:

Oslo, Oslo 0164, Norway

Appl Deadline:

2026/04/01 11:59PM help popup

(posted 2026/01/28, listed until 2026/04/01)

Position Description:

1 PhD Research Fellowship is available at the Simula Metropolitan Center for Digital Engineering (SimulaMet), within the Department of Signal and Information Processing for Intelligent Systems (SIGIPRO), for a highly-motivated and self-driven PhD student with strong intellectual curiosity and interest in research.

This position is part of the DRIVE project, funded by the Research Council of Norway (RCN) (2026-2030), focusing on brain-driven multi-sensory robotic avatars for remote collaborative physical work. The DRIVE project also involves the University of Oslo and University of Texas at Austin, USA, as partners. In addition, this PhD candidate will be able to participate and exploit synergies with the National AI Centre Sustainable, Risk-averse and Ethical AI (SURE-AI), led by Simula, and the National AI Centre for AI and Creativity (MishMash), led by University of Oslo, both funded by the RCN (2025-2030).

Simula Research Laboratory (Simula) is a leading Norwegian research institute known for its excellence in cutting-edge ICT with a strong track record of top evaluations, active international collaborations, and successful in significant funding initiatives, including European and National RCN grants. SimulaMet is a research centre jointly owned by Simula and Oslo Metropolitan University. It is the home of Simula’s research activities on networks and communications, artificial intelligence and IT management, and it is OsloMet’s strategic partner in digital engineering. SimulaMet supports talent development through PhD and postdoctoral programs and provides also valuable research infrastructure, such as the national HPC facility, eX3, and network testbeds.

The PhD student will join a research environment that is firmly committed to excellence (see section below for excellence and personal growth) in both cutting-edge research and training of outstanding young researchers.

Job Description

Research activities will focus on the design of novel continual online Machine Learning (ML) algorithms in the context of embodied physical interactions mediated by remote robotic avatars. The main goal is to build models that can predict accurately both forward human action and multimodal sensory (visual, haptic) feedback (from the robotic avatar) to guarantee cognitive consonance so that spatial or temporal discrepancies between humans are within their tolerable perceptual thresholds. These models will learn a representation that integrates: a) Electroencephalography (EEG)-based brain anticipatory potentials to constrain timing and spatial direction of upcoming operator’s action, and brain Error potentials to detect mispredictions; b) motion tracking sensors, such as Electromyography (EMG) being and motion capture sensors; c) robotic avatar actions; and d) multimodal sensory feedback through the robotic controllers. These robotic controllers will also exploit these prediction models to plan state-action sequences, disruption anticipation and adaptation.

We are looking for a PhD student who will be part of an interdisciplinary research environment with both national (University of Oslo) and international collaborators (University of Texas at Austin, USA, and Sant’Anna School of Advanced Studies, Pisa, Italy).

The position is available for a period of 3 years. Given the availability of additional funding and a good match with the SimulaMet needs, the position may be extended to a maximum of 4 years, including other duties and/or research stays. In particular, research stays will be promoted at University of Texas at Austin (Clinical Neuroprosthetics and Brain Interaction Lab), and Sant’Anna School of Advanced Studies (Institute of Mechanical Intelligence).

Selection criteria

We will consider candidates who have a BS and MS degree (both) in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science or Applied Mathematics. data science/machine learning, signal processing, and applied mathematics. Other required qualifications include:

A strong background in machine learning, data science, signal processing, and optimization, proved by excellent grades.
Previous experience in one or more of the following is a plus but not required: neuroscience/neurotechnology, robotic control, human motion capture, physiological sensing, haptics, and prediction methods.
Fluency in Python and/or MATLAB with a well-established background in programming, proved by relevant programming courses.
An average GPA of at least B in BS, and A in MS.
Ambition to carry out interdisciplinary research and willingness to work as part of an international team.
Sharing Simula’s core values: impact, curiosity, ambition, respect, and excellence.

Previous experience in one or more of the following will be a plus: neuroscience/neurotechnology, haptics, robotic control, human motion tracking, physiological sensing and prediction methods.

All candidates will also have to demonstrate an excellent level of spoken and written English, possess good interpersonal and communication skills and show willingness to work as part of an international team.

For all application details and more information about the position and Simula, please read the full announcement.

We are not accepting applications for this job through MathJobs.Org right now. Please apply at https://www.simula.no/careers/job-openings/phd-position-in-machine-learning-for-multi-sensory-remote-robotic-avatars .

Contact: Baltasar Beferull-Lozano

Email: email address

Postal Mail:

: Kristian Augusts gate 23
0164 Oslo
Norway

Web Page: simula.no