World Models, Predictive Control and Foundation Models for Robotics

University of Sheffield • Sheffield, England, United Kingdom • 1w ago

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

YouTube: Intelligent Manipulation Lab -- Open Robotic Lab

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