World Models, Predictive Control and Foundation Models for Robotics
The Intelligent Manipulation Lab is recruiting a highly motivated PhD student to join our research team in January 2026. This position, hosted in collaboration with the University of Sheffield, offers access to an outstanding research environment, state-of-the-art robotic platforms, and industrial partnerships in the UK and internationally.
We seek candidates with strong mathematical and programming backgrounds who are passionate about conducting world-leading research in robotic manipulation, physical interaction, and AI for embodied intelligence.
Research Focus:
Research Topics May Include:
- Vision- and tactile-based prediction models for physical interaction
- Action-conditioned tactile forecasting and slip prediction
- Multi-modal integration for robust control in contact-rich tasks
- Reinforcement learning, MPC, and active exploration for manipulation
- Integration of large vision-language models (VLMs) in robotic planning
You will work alongside a team with a strong track record of high-impact research, including recent publications in Nature Machine Intelligence, IEEE ICRA, IROS, RA-L, Robotics Science and Systems (RSS), Journal of Field Robotics, Springer Autonomous Robots, and Conference on Robot Learning (CoRL).
Candidate Profile:
Essential Requirements:
- First-class or upper second-class honours (1st or 2:1) undergraduate degree, or MSc with Merit/Distinction in a relevant field (e.g., Robotics, Mechatronics, Computer Science, Engineering)
- Excellent background in mathematics (linear algebra, probability, control, optimisation)
- Strong programming skills (Python, PyTorch, ROS)
- Demonstrated motivation to conduct research in robotics and AI
Desirable Qualifications:
- Experience with real robots (Franka Emika, UR5, tactile sensors)
- Familiarity with Robot Operating System (ROS)
- Publications or strong thesis/project work in AI/robotics
- Experience in reinforcement learning, video/tactile prediction, or MPC
Funding and Eligibility:
The studentship covers home (UK) tuition fees and a tax-free stipend aligned with UKRI rates. Exceptional international students with strong academic records (Distinction/Merit at MSc and 1st class BSc) and part-funding to cover fee differences are encouraged to apply and will be considered competitively.
Why Join Us?
You will be embedded in a vibrant research ecosystem at the University of Sheffield, with access to:
- Sheffield Robotics and the CMI Theme in Robotics and Autonomous Systems
- World-class robotic platforms, including Franka Emika, UR5, and Xela tactile sensors
- Opportunities for collaboration with leading UK and international industry partners
- Support for publishing in top venues and career development
Application Instructions
To express interest, please email the following to intel.manipulation.lab@gmail.com:
- Your CV (including academic qualifications, technical skills, and publications)
- A brief statement of research interests (max 1 page)
- [Optional but encouraged] A sample of your technical writing or publication
Application deadline: Rolling basis – early applications are strongly encouraged.
Contact: Dr. Amir Ghalamzan Esfahani
Email: intel.manipulation.lab@gmail.com
Lab website: intmanlab.com
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