PhD Position F/M High-Speed Manipulation Using Compliant and Flexible Robots

PhD Position F/M High-Speed Manipulation Using Compliant and Flexible Robots Download job offer in PDF format Contract type : Fixed-term contract Level of qualifications required : Graduate degree or equivalent Fonction : PhD Position About the research centre or Inria department Created in 2008, the Inria center at the University of Lille employs 360 people, including 305 scientists in 16 research teams. Recognized for its strong involvement in the socio-economic development of the Hauts-De-France region, the Inria center at the University of Lille maintains a close relationship with large companies and SMEs. By fostering synergies between researchers and industry, Inria contributes to the transfer of skills and expertise in the field of digital technologies, and provides access to the best of European and international research for the benefit of innovation and businesses, particularly in the region. For over 10 years, the Inria center at the University of Lille has been at the heart of Lille's university and scientific ecosystem, as well as at the heart of Frenchtech, with a technology showroom based on avenue de Bretagne in Lille, on the EuraTechnologies site of economic excellence dedicated to information and communication technologies (ICT). Context Working with deformable and soft materials is becoming an increasingly important research direction in robotics. Although compliant and flexible robots offer significant advantages, including safer interaction and inherent compliance, their use in high-speed manipulation remains largely unexplored. This PhD project aims to develop robotic solutions that exploit compliant and flexible robots for rapid manipulation tasks, with experimental validation in a waste-sorting application, supported by PEPR Robotique Acceleration program. The PhD candidate will benefit from a rich scientific environment offered through the collaboration between INRIA (Lille) and LIRMM (Montpellier), two French research groups with worldwide recognition in compliant robotics and high-speed manipulation. The thesis will be co-supervised by researchers from both institutes, with the student spending substantial time at each site to leverage their complementary experimental platforms and expertise. Assignment The PhD candidate will focus on developing novel control and modeling approaches for high-speed manipulation using compliant robotic systems. The research objectives include: • Developing computationally efficient dynamic models suitable for control. • Designing and implementing nonlinear optimal control algorithms. • Experimentally validating the proposed methods on a waste-sorting robotic platform. • Contributing to mechanical and mechatronic design choices whenever they influence system dynamics and performance. Main activities 1. Dynamic Modeling • Develop computationally efficient dynamic models for compliant and flexible robotic systems. • Model robot behavior for high-speed manipulation and control applications. 2. Control • Design nonlinear optimal control algorithms. • Investigate advanced control strategies for compliant robotic manipulation. 3. Experimental Validation • Validate the developed models and controllers experimentally. • Implement and evaluate solutions in a waste-sorting scenario. 4. Mechanical Contributions • Participate in mechanical and mechatronic design decisions affecting dynamic performance. Skills Applicants should have: • MSc degree in Robotics or a related discipline. • Strong background in state-space modeling and control theory. • Strong programming skills in C++, Python and/or MATLAB. • Interest in both theoretical research and experimental validation. • Good written and spoken English. Preferred qualifications include experience with: • Optimal Control and/or Model Predictive Control (MPC). • Modeling of deformable parts. • Real-time numerical optimization. Benefits package • Subsidized meals • Partial reimbursement of public transport costs • Leave: 7 weeks of annual leave + 10 extra days off due to RTT (statutory reduction in working hours) + possibility of exceptional leave (sick children, moving home, etc.) • Possibility of teleworking and flexible organization of working hours • Professional equipment available (videoconferencing, loan of computer equipment, etc.) • Social, cultural and sports events and activities • Access to vocational training • Social security coverage Remuneration 2 300 € Monthly Gross Salary Apply for this position Share • Facebook • Linkedin • Twitter • Email General Information • Theme/Domain : Robotics and Smart environments Instrumentation et expérimentation (BAP C) • Town/city : Villeneuve D'Ascq • Inria Center : Centre Inria de l'Université de Lille • Starting date : 2026-09-01 • Duration of contract : 3 years • Deadline to apply : 2026-08-30 Warning : you must enter your e-mail address in order to save your application to Inria. Applications must be submitted online on the Inria website. Processing of applications sent from other channels is not guaranteed. Instruction to apply Please send your CV and cover letter Defence Security : This position is likely to be situated in a restricted area (ZRR), as defined in Decree No. 2011-1425 relating to the protection of national scientific and technical potential (PPST).Authorisation to enter an area is granted by the director of the unit, following a favourable Ministerial decision, as defined in the decree of 3 July 2012 relating to the PPST. An unfavourable Ministerial decision in respect of a position situated in a ZRR would result in the cancellation of the appointment. Recruitment Policy : As part of its diversity policy, all Inria positions are accessible to people with disabilities. Contacts • Inria Team : DEFROST • PhD Supervisor : Zheng Gang / Gang.Zheng@inria.fr About Inria Inria, the French national institute for research in digital science and technology, supports the French government in national research and innovation strategies in the digital field, acting as Digital Programs Agency. Inria leads over 300 research and innovation projects with its 3,500 scientists, engineers, and support staff, in partnership with universities and the digital ecosystem (businesses, entrepreneurs, and public stakeholders). Together, we explore strategic fields such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, quantum computing, cloud technologies, digital transformation in healthcare, digital twins, and digital technologies for defence. We develop practical solutions such as software, tech startups, partnerships with national companies, and cutting-edge training programmes. Our goal is to drive scientific, technological, and industrial excellence to ensure France’s digital sovereignty.