General information
Offer title : Post-Doctoral Student [M/F]: Sensor-based coordinated control of a mobile manipulator robot for vine pruning (H/F)
Reference : UPR8001-PATDAN-013
Number of position : 1
Workplace : TOULOUSE
Date of publication : 26 September 2025
Type of Contract : Researcher in FTC
Contract Period : 13 months
Expected date of employment : 2 February 2026
Proportion of work : Full Time
Remuneration : Monthly gross salary is between 2991€ and 3417€ depending on experience.
Desired level of education : Doctorate
Experience required : 1 to 4 years
Section(s) CN : 07 - Information sciences: processing, integrated hardware-software systems, robots, commands, images, content, interactions, signals and languages
Missions
This position is open in the Robotics, Action and Perception (RAP) team (https://www.laas.fr/en/teams/rap/) at LAAS-CNRS, Toulouse, France. The research conducted in the RAP team focuses on the design, prototyping, implementation, and evaluation of algorithms for: perception in robotics; sensor based control and navigation ; interactive mobile manipulation; multi-sensor data modelling and fusion. This job offer takes place within the DEMETER project (DevelopMent of adaptive pruning robots for sustainable viticulture through Simulation and AI empowered Perception, Robot Learning and Intuitive TeleopeRation), funded by the Concert-Japan 2024 call, with the aim of developing a vine pruning robot guided by exteroceptive perception, both in a virtual environment and in the real world. DEMETER brings together two French laboratories, one German laboratory, two Japanese universities, and one Japanese industrial company.
Activities
The recruited postdoctoral researcher will work on the coordinated control of a mobile manipulator for vine pruning, incorporating a feedback on the environment perception (RGB-D, LiDAR, etc.). His/Her mission will involve the design of this control system as well as its implementation in both a virtual environment and in realistic conditions.
Skills
This position is specifically aimed at a PhD holder in vision-based control. The desired skills for this position are:
o Good knowledge of the technological challenges of agricultural/viticultural robotics.
o Proven skills in: vision-based robot modeling and control; computer vision and perception for robotics; machine learning.
o An interest for approaches based on foundation models.
o Proficiency in open-source libraries: Pytorch or equivalent, OpenCV, Open3D, PCL, etc.
o Programming languages: C, C++, Python...
o Practical experience on robotic platforms is highly appreciated.
o Autonomy and teamwork.
o Writing skills in French and English.
Work Context
This work will take place in the Robotics Action Perception team, within the Robotics Department of LAAS-CNRS, Toulouse, France.
The position is located in a sector covered by the protection of scientific and technical potential (PPST), and therefore requires, in accordance with the regulations, that recruitment be authorized by the competent authority of the MESR.
The position is located in a sector under the protection of scientific and technical potential (PPST), and therefore requires, in accordance with the regulations, that your arrival is authorized by the competent authority of the MESR.
Constraints and risks
N/A
Additional Information
IMPORTANT
Candidates must put together a file that clearly establishes their qualifications and motivation for this position. The “Curriculum Vitae” file to be submitted to the emploi.cnrs.fr website must contain the following elements:
- Candidate's resume, including a list of significant publications related to the requested profile.
- Cover letter.
- Pre-defense and defense reports of thesis.
- Transcript of grades from the final year of studies.
- Possibly, letters of recommendation.