Postdoc Position in Robotic Systems, Leibniz University Hannover, Germany

Summary

Leibniz University Hannover is offering a full-time, 3-year Postdoc / Group Leader position in Robotic Systems at the Institute of Mechatronic Systems (IMES), starting February 1, 2027. The successful candidate will lead an established research group of three doctoral candidates, advance the group's research agenda, acquire third-party funding, teach courses, and supervise student theses. Applicants should hold a Master's degree in robotics, mechatronics, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, computer science, or a related field (a doctorate in robotics is preferred). Applications must be submitted by November 30, 2026.

Key Facts

Employer	Leibniz University Hannover
Department	Institut für Mechatronische Systeme (IMES), Fakultät für Maschinenbau
Position Type	Postdoc
Discipline	Robotics / Mechatronics Engineering
Research Area	Robotic Systems
Degree Required	Master degree or equivalent
Experience	Solid knowledge in robotic system design, modeling, control, or learning-based methods; publications in internationally recognized robotics journals and conferences.
Salary	EntgGr. 14 TV-L, 100 %
Contract Duration	3 years
Language	English and German
Deadline	2026-11-30
Required Documents	Curriculum vitae with publication list and links to Google Scholar and ORCID profile, including supervision, third-party funding, and teaching experience, Concept for the further development of the research group (max. 2 pages) with research interests and sketches of two doctoral topics, Up to 3 selected publications with major contributions, Certificates for PhD, Master's, and Bachelor's degrees or equivalent, Names and contact details of 2 references
Employer Address	Welfengarten 1, 30167, Lower Saxony

About the Project

The Robotic Systems group designs and builds new robot systems that safely and reliably interact with humans and their environment. Research topics span humanoid and mobile service robotics, AI and model-based control (e.g., imitation learning), human-robot collaboration, and the design, modeling, and control of soft, continuum, and hyper-redundant robots for applications in medical engineering and industrial inspection.

Key Responsibilities

• Supervise and mentor doctoral candidates within the group
• Further develop the group's research agenda in collaboration with the team and institute leadership
• Acquire and coordinate third-party funded projects (e.g., DFG, BMFTR, EU, or industrial partners)
• Publish and present research results in international journals and at conferences
• Conduct courses, examinations, and supervise student final theses
• Participate in the institute's leadership team regarding organizational and strategic questions

Required Skills

• Completed university degree (Master's, Diploma, or equivalent) in mechanical engineering, mechatronics, electrical engineering, computer science, or a related field
• Publications in internationally recognized robotics journals and conferences (e.g., IEEE T-RO, RA-L, ICRA, IROS)
• Sound knowledge in at least one area of robotic system design (hardware), modeling, control, or learning-based methods in robotics
• Very good spoken and written English skills

Who Should Apply

Robotics researchers holding a Master's or equivalent degree in Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or a related discipline, who possess strong publications in international robotics journals/conferences and solid expertise in robotic system design, modeling, control, or learning-based methods.

Benefits

• Remuneration according to TV-L E14 (100%)
• Opportunity to habilitate and build an academic career toward a professorship
• Support for attending international conferences and expanding professional networks
• Flexible working arrangements including options for part-time, mobile working, and home office
• Family support services including emergency childcare, vacation care, and parent-child offices
• Comprehensive professional development and coaching programs via the Graduate Academy and Office for Equal Opportunities
• Extensive university sports program and health management offerings

About the Employer

Leibniz University Hannover is a member of TU9, the association of leading technical universities in Germany. Its Institute of Mechatronic Systems (IMES) is located at Campus Maschinenbau in Garbsen and focuses on intelligent and autonomous mechatronic systems across robotics, production, automotive, and biomedical engineering.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the application deadline?

The application deadline is November 30, 2026.

When is the expected start date for this position?

The expected start date is February 1, 2027.

What is the duration of the contract?

The position is limited to a duration of three years.

What working languages are used in the team?

The working languages in the team are English and German.

How should applications be submitted?

Applications should be submitted digitally as a single PDF file to [email protected] or alternatively by mail.