Doctoral scholarship holder Biomimetic Echolocation and Autonomous Aerial Robotics with a focus[...]

Doctoral scholarship holder Biomimetic Echolocation and Autonomous Aerial Robotics with a focus on the control of quadrotors Let’s shape the future - University of Antwerp The University of Antwerp is a dynamic, forward-thinking, European university. We offer an innovative academic education to more than 20000 students, conduct pioneering scientific research and play an important service-providing role in society. We are one of the largest, most international and most innovative employers in the region. With more than 6000 employees from 100 different countries, we are helping to build tomorrow's world every day. Through top scientific research, we push back boundaries and set a course for the future – a future that you can help to shape. The Department of Electrical and ICT Engineering Technology in the Faculty of Applied Engineering is looking for a full-time (100%) doctoral scholarship holder in the field of Biomimetic Echolocation and Autonomous Aerial Robotics with a focus on the control of quadrotors. The position is within the Cosys-Lab research group, under supervision of prof. Jan Steckel and prof. Walter Daems. Position You will work actively on the preparation and defence of a PhD thesis that is part of the FWO project ‘ECHO-FLIGHT’. This project builds on nearly two decades of research in 3D in-air sonar and bat echolocation to enable, for the first time, full-scale quadrotor UAV control based primarily on echolocation. Unlike prior UAV echolocation systems, which lack key biological features such as wideband sensing and HRTF-based spatial encoding, this project explicitly incorporates the mechanisms that underpin the remarkable spatial perception of bats. By leveraging array signal processing to synthesize morphology-induced HRTFs without physical replicas, the project offers a flexible, high-fidelity and scalable approach to biomimetic airborne sonar.You will be responsible for the integration of echolocation-driven perception into closed-loop control of quadrotor UAVs, enabling active sensing strategies and autonomous navigation without reliance on vision. The work will combine auditory perception models, predictive processing and flight control, validated through simulation and experimental flight tests on an embedded GPU platform. You will publish scientific articles related to the research project. You will collaborate closely with another PhD student in the same project, responsible for the development of the perception system. You will carry out a limited number of teaching and research support tasks for courses related to cyber-physical systems and applied image/data processing. Profile You hold a Master degree in Computer Science, Electronics Engineering or you will have obtained it by the time you start work. Your teaching competences are in line with the University of Antwerp’s educational vision. You act with attention to quality, integrity, creativity and cooperation. You have a solid foundation in control theory, robotics or autonomous systems, preferably with UAVs or mobile robots. Experience with embedded systems and real-time computing and familiarity with platforms such as NVIDIA Jetson is a plus. Proficiency in software development for robotics (Python and/or C++), including integration of perception and control, is another plus. Knowledge of state estimation, sensor fusion or active sensing frameworks is an advantage. So is hands‑on experience with experimental robotics, including system integration, testing, and debugging on physical platforms. What we offer We offer a doctoral scholarship for a period of two years. Following a positive evaluation and the availability of funding the scholarship can be renewed for another two years. You will submit an application to the Flemish science fund (FWO) for a full doctoral scholarship during the first year of your appointment. The planned start date is 1/3/2026 or as soon as possible after that date. Your monthly scholarship amount is calculated according to the scholarship amounts for doctoral scholarship holders. As a doctoral researcher, you will have access to a wide and varied range of courses and an educational credit through the Antwerp Doctoral School. You will receive ecocheques, Internet‑connectivity allowance, and a bicycle allowance or a full reimbursement of public transport costs for commuting. You will do most of your work at Campus Groenenborger in a dynamic and stimulating working environment. Find out more about working at the University of Antwerp here. Want to apply? You can apply for this vacancy through the University of Antwerp’s online job application platform up to and including 19 January 2026 (by midnight Brussels time). Click on the 'Apply' button and complete the online application form. Be sure to include the following attachments:a motivation letter your academic CV A small text explaining how you see your research interest aligning with the research topics in the field of ultrasound/robotics/ML by prof. Jan Steckel and prof. Walter Daems. The selection committee reviews all applications as soon as possible after the application deadline. As soon as a decision is made, we will notify you. If you are still eligible after the pre‑selection, you will be informed about the possible next step(s) in the selection procedure. The University of Antwerp received the European Commission’s HR Excellence in Research Award for its HR policy. We are a sustainable, family‑friendly organisation which invests in its employees’ growth. We encourage diversity and attach great importance to an inclusive working environment and equal opportunities, regardless of gender identity, disability, race, ethnicity, religion or belief, sexual orientation or age. We encourage people from diverse backgrounds and with diverse characteristics to apply. Closing on: (Europe/Brussels) #J-18808-Ljbffr