Fully Funded PhD Positions in Robotics and AI

The Hellenic Robotics Center of Excellence HERON, in collaboration with the Institute of Robotics (IRO) of the Athena Research Center (https://www.athenarc.gr/en/iro) and the Control Systems Lab (CSL), School of Mechanical Engineering, National Technical University of Athens (https://controlsystemslab.gr/), invites applications for fully funded PhD positions in legged, space, and humanoid robotics.

About HERON

HERON is Greece’s first Robotics Center of Excellence, funded under the European Union Horizon Europe – Teaming for Excellence programme. HERON’s mission is to advance fundamental and applied robotics research, bridging theory, experimentation, and real-world robotic systems in the AI era, while fostering strong links with industry and international research institutions.

HERON operates through close collaboration between the Athena RC, NTUA and other leading Greek universities, as well as internationally recognized partners (IIT, KIT), creating a vibrant, interdisciplinary research environment.

Research Areas

We invite applications in the following indicative research topics:

• Human-Like Humanoid Locomotion through the Exploitation of Passive Dynamics
• Dexterity and Manipulation for Humanoid Hands
• Dynamic Balance during Agile Tasks of Humanoid Robots
• Control Design for Stability and Robustness in Quadruped Locomotion
• Safe Human-Aware Navigation and Control for Humanoids in Crowded Environments
• Whole-Body Contact-Rich Locomotion and Manipulation with Humanoid Robots
• Safe Human-Humanoid Physical Interaction for Cooperative Object Transportation
• Physical Cooperation in Heterogeneous Teams of Legged Robots
• Planning and Control of Space Robotic Systems for Autonomous Assembly
• Robust Control Strategies of In-orbit Robotic Systems in the Presence of Unknown Flexibilities and Parametric Uncertainty
• Contact Dynamics and Physical Interaction for Space Robots
• Autonomous Rendezvous, Proximity Operations, and Docking for Space Robots
• Space Robot Manipulators for Space Debris Removal

What We’re Looking For

Ideal Candidates possess:

Strong academic background in Mechanical Engineering, or Electrical and Computer Engineering, or related fields

Passion for interdisciplinary research at the intersection of Robotics and AI

Excellent problem-solving abilities and research aptitude

Programming experience and genuine interest in robotics

Strong work ethic and enthusiasm for collaborative, cross-disciplinary research

Motivation to work in an international research environment

What We Offer

Research Environment: Join an international, collaborative research community working alongside world-class researchers in robotics and AI. Benefit from:

Strong industrial partnerships

Opportunities for international research stays

Access to state-of-the-art facilities and resources

Mentorship from leading experts in the field

Funding

Fully funded by PhD scholarships and research assistantships provided by HERON.

How to Apply

Initial Application: Contact the Supervisory Team by email, attaching your CV and official transcript.

For Inquiries: Contact us at phd@heron-robotics-coe.eu for questions about the PhD positions and application process.