Postdoc in Meaningful Human Control for Human-Robot Collaboration

Autonomous robots working in human-centered environments must do more than react to immediate sensor input. They need to be able to estimate uncertainty, explain their decisions, adapt to human preferences and values, and act safely and reliably in changing conditions. In the EU-funded OPERA project, TU Delft contributes to General-Purpose AI for robotics by developing methods that combine fast System 1-style behavior with more deliberate System 2-style reasoning, adaptation, and decision-making.

In this postdoc position, you will investigate how robots can interact with humans to make transparent, trustworthy, safe and reliable decisions. The research combines AI, robotics, and cognitive and social sciences to develop human-robot collaboration that supports meaningful human control, enabling humans to understand, influence and take responsibility for the system’s behavior.

The developed methods will be evaluated in real-world multi-stakeholder scenarios, integrating data-driven approaches such as inverse reinforcement learning and imitation learning with cognitive and socio-technical models. The research will also contribute to the development of a broader ethical and governance frameworks for ethical human-robot interaction, addressing fairness, bias, privacy, safety, and oversight to support trustworthy and responsible AI-enabled robotic systems.

Job requirements

We are looking for applicants who have or expect to receive a PhD degree before joining the project. This positions welcomes applicants from different technical backgrounds. For example, you have expertise in AI with an interest in developing models that can identify and align to complex social contexts; you have a focus on human-robot interaction addressing methods that empower humans to understand and steer the behavior of these; you have a socio-technical or design background, implementing state-of-the-art AI methods or developing robotics systems towards human-centred applications. If one or more of these areas describe you, we encourage your to apply. We particularly welcome applicants with experience or interest in interdisciplinary research.

This position is for 30 months for a full-time basis. We are open to part-time constructions. We are also happy to support the candidate in grant applications to extend the position.

TU Delft (Delft University of Technology)

Delft University of Technology is built on strong foundations. As creators of the world-famous Dutch waterworks and pioneers in biotech, TU Delft is a top international university combining science, engineering and design. It delivers world class results in education, research and innovation to address challenges in the areas of energy, climate, mobility, health and digital society. For generations, our engineers have proven to be entrepreneurial problem-solvers, both in business and in a social context.

At TU Delft we embrace diversity as one of our core values and we actively engage to be a university where you feel at home and can flourish. We value different perspectives and qualities. We believe this makes our work more innovative, the TU Delft community more vibrant and the world more just. Together, we imagine, invent and create solutions using technology to have a positive impact on a global scale. That is why we invite you to apply. Your application will receive fair consideration.

Challenge. Change. Impact!

Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science

The Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science (EEMCS) brings together three scientific disciplines. Combined, they reinforce each other and are the driving force behind the technology we all use in our daily lives. Technology such as the electricity grid, which our faculty is helping to make completely sustainable and future-proof. At the same time, we are developing the chips and sensors of the future, whilst also setting the foundations for the software technologies to run on this new generation of equipment – which of course includes AI. Meanwhile we are pushing the limits of applied mathematics, for example mapping out disease processes using single cell data, and using mathematics to simulate gigantic ash plumes after a volcanic eruption. In other words: there is plenty of room at the faculty for ground-breaking research. We educate innovative engineers and have excellent labs and facilities that underline our strong international position. In total, more than 1000 employees and 4,000 students work and study in this innovative environment.

Click here to go to the website of the Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science.

Conditions of employment

• Duration of contract is 1 year with prospect of another 1,5 year.
• A job of 32-40 hours per week.
• Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities.
• An excellent pension scheme via the ABP.
• The possibility to compile an individual employment package every year.
• Discount with health insurers on supplemental packages.
• Flexible working week.
• Every year, 232 leave hours (at 38 hours). You can also sell or buy additional leave hours via the individual choice budget.
• Plenty of opportunities for education, training and courses.
• Partially paid parental leave
• Attention for working healthy and energetically with the vitality program.

Will you need to relocate to the Netherlands for this job? TU Delft is committed to make your move as smooth as possible! The HR unit, Coming to Delft Service, offers information on their website to help you prepare your relocation. In addition, Coming to Delft Service organises events to help you settle in the Netherlands, and expand your (social) network in Delft. A Dual Career Programme is available, to support your accompanying partner with their job search in the Netherlands.

Additional information

If you would like more information about this vacancy or the selection procedure, please contact Luciano Cavalcante Siebert, via l.cavalcantesiebert@tudelft.nl.

Application procedure

Are you interested in this vacancy? Please apply no later than 14 Nov 2026 via the application button and upload the following documents:

• CV.
• Motivational letter, please summarise:
  • Your motivation why you applying for this position.
  • Evidence of suitability for the job.
  • What do you hope to achieve in this position.

You can address your application to Luciano Cavalcante Siebert.

Please note:

You can apply online. We will not process applications sent by email and/or post.

As part of knowledge security, TU Delft conducts a risk assessment during the recruitment of personnel. We do this, among other things, to prevent the unwanted transfer of sensitive knowledge and technology. The assessment is based on information provided by the candidates themselves, such as their motivation letter and CV, and takes place at the final stages of the selection process. When the outcome of the assessment is negative, the candidate will be informed. The processing of personal data in the context of the risk assessment is carried out on the legal basis of the GDPR: performing a public task in the public interest. You can find more information about this assessment on our website about knowledge security.

Please do not contact us for unsolicited services.

#EUfunded This is an EU funded project, named #OPERA, with project number 101298363, within program Horizon Europe.

Working at TU Delft

Join the oldest and largest technical university in the Netherlands. Work on clever solutions for worldwide challenges, to change the world and make an impact. Ready to bring your energy to our research? Challenge, change, impact!