"15 Doctoral Candidate (DC) Positions in the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Doctoral Network CAVECORE"

Applications are invited for 15 Doctoral Candidate (DC) positions (f/m/d) full-time for the duration of 36 months starting at the earliest on 1st February 2026. These positions are funded by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Doctoral Network (MSCA-DN-ID) on “Continuous, Automated Validation, and Evaluation of Cognitive Robots in Open-Ended Environments” (CAVECORE) within the Horizon Europe Programme until 31st August 2029.

The CAVECORE network includes a consortium of 10 beneficiaries, comprising 6 academic and 4 non-academic organizations, providing interdisciplinary training in scientific, technical, and personal development skills for advancing quality assurance and validation of cognitive robot systems.

Research Focus: The goal is to address challenges in cognitive robotics, such as evaluating performance, safety, and reliability; validating robot behavior; and enabling continuous, automated validation.

Each DC will contribute to these areas through specialized training, including workshops, schools, and secondments at partner institutions.

Available Positions and Research Topics: Positions cover themes like advanced cognitive robot capabilities and validation methods. Details are available at www.cavecore.eu/phd-topics.

Benefits and Training: Employment on a 36-month full-time contract with mandatory secondments. Salary per MSCA regulations. Training includes scientific, technical, transferable, and entrepreneurial skills.

Eligibility Criteria: Applicants must not have resided in the recruiting country for more than 12 months in the last 36 months, must not hold a doctoral degree, and require a Master’s degree in a relevant field.

How to Apply: Submit documents in English as a single PDF file to the specified email, including the application form, CV, cover letter, references, and transcripts. Applications must be received by 20th October 2025.