PhD Position Opportunity: Autonomous Vehicles and Advanced Control Strategies in Marine Robotics

PhD Position Opportunity:  Autonomous Vehicles and Advanced Control Strategies in Marine Robotics

The Institut de Ciències del Mar (ICM) of the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC) is the most multidisciplinary research institute on marine science in Spain, and the leading scientific organization in Southern Europe. It is also the first marine science centre to be accredited as a Severo Ochoa Centre of Excellence, a recognition to the institution’s leadership in the field of marine research in Spain and to its commitment to create social impact.

Our goal is to develop research of excellence to inspire a society in harmony with the blue planet, in line with the values of the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021-2030).

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The role and the team

The Instituto de Ciencias del Mar (ICM-CSIC) invites applications for a 4-years fully-funded PhD position as part of the innovative EU project “Demonstration of long-endurance intelligent multi-purpose autonomous vehicles for marine applications“ (MERLIN), focusing on the next generation of autonomous marine vehicles and bioinspired robots. Join a prestigious research team at ICM-CSIC, a leading institute in marine sciences, and contribute to cutting-edge developments in coastal and deep-sea exploration.

Position Overview

The successful PhD candidate will be central to the generation of technical requirements for the development of Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs) and Unmanned Surface Vehicles (USVs). The candidate will also work on the creation of advanced control strategies, incorporating bioinspired design elements to enhance the autonomy and performance of these marine robots.

Key Research Area:

• Autonomous Vehicle Design: Define technical requirements for state-of-the-art autonomous systems, optimizing for minimal human intervention.

• Control Systems Development: Design advanced control strategies for USVs and bioinspired robots to improve their performance in diverse marine conditions.

• Bioinspired Robotics: Explore natural biological mechanisms to inspire innovative robotic systems that excel in complex underwater environments.

• Mission Planning and Execution: Collaborate with the MERLIN team on integrating AI-driven navigation, data acquisition, and mission control in real-world marine operations.

About the MERLIN Project:

MERLIN is a ground-breaking project aimed at revolutionizing ocean exploration through the development of autonomous marine systems. The project focuses on seabed mapping, marine habitat monitoring, and offshore infrastructure inspection, leveraging AI, renewable energy, and robotic advancements. MERLIN seeks to reduce operational costs while enhancing capabilities for sustainable Blue Economy solutions.

Requirements

• A highly motivated candidate with a background in mechanical engineering, robotics, computer science, or a related field.

• Experience in control systems, AI, machine learning, or marine robotics is a plus.

• Strong interest in autonomous systems, underwater technology, and bioinspired robotics.

• Excellent problem-solving skills, and the ability to work independently and collaboratively in a multidisciplinary environment.

• Fluent in English (both written and spoken), Spanish and Catalan are a plus

The offer

• A fully-funded PhD position at the Instituto de Ciencias del Mar (ICM-CSIC; www.icm.csic.es) during the 4 years of the project duration.

• An opportunity to contribute to ground-breaking research in autonomous marine exploration.

• Access to world-class research facilities, field trials, and academic mentorship.

• Collaboration with leading experts in marine robotics, AI, and marine science.

• A vibrant, collaborative academic environment located in Barcelona, Spain.

We are offering a contract with the following conditions:

• Estimated annual gross salary: Salary will range between €27.000 and €34.000 approx. commensurate with qualifications and experience, and consistent with CSIC pay scales. 

• Working time: Full-time contract with flexible working hours and possibility of teleworking up to 3 days a week. Read more about work-life balance here.

• Target starting date: November 2024 (flexible)

The CSIC and all its research centers were awarded with the "HR Excellence in Research" seal in 2021. This recognition reflects our commitment to continuously improve our human resources policies in line with the European Charter for Researchers and the Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers. 

Recruitment at ICM is open, transparent and merit-based, and all applicants compete on the same terms.