Open positions

PhD in Autonomous In-Orbit Inspection and Repair Robotics (UMA - ESA Collaboration)

We invite applications for a PhD position in autonomous in-orbit inspection and repair of space infrastructure, in close collaboration with the European Space Agency (ESA). This position is part of the ECHO2 project (End-to-End Control for Handling Operations in Orbit), which aims to develop the next generation of perception-driven robotic systems for in-orbit servicing. 

Project Background

Future large orbital infrastructure such as telescopes, space stations, and mega-constellations will require autonomous robotic servicing for inspection, diagnosis, and repair. Current approaches rely on fiducial markers, standardized interfaces, or heavily human-dependent approaches, which limit adaptability and scalability. 

With ECHO2, we will research and develop a markerless, end-to-end pipeline for robotic inspection and servicing combining multi-modal vision, learning-based methods, and perception-aware motion planning for robust manipulation in dynamic environments.

The PhD candidate will contribute to the research, development, and integration of these modules into a unified architecture, validated both in simulations and hardware.

Your Profile

We are looking for a highly motivated candidate with: 

• An MSc degree in Robotics, Computer Science, Electrical/Mechanical Engineering, or related fields, 
• A strong academic background in robotics, control, and computer vision/AI/ML,
• Proven programming expertise in Python and C++, with hands-on experience in ROS/ROS2,
• Familiarity with deep learning frameworks (PyTorch, TensorFlow) and 3D perception libraries,
• Experience in robotic manipulation, motion planning, and experimental validation,
• A track record of publications, internships, or projects in relevant areas,
• Strong teamwork, communication, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to work in an international and interdisciplinary environment.
• Excellent written and verbal English communication skills are a must. Being able to speak and write in Spanish is recommended. 

We Offer

• A funded PhD position at the University of Malaga.
• Active participation in the ECHO2 project in collaboration with ESA.
• A 6-month research stay at ESA/ESTEC (Noordwijk, The Netherlands) to validate the developed methods on ESA's orbital robotics testing platform.
• Integration in the Space Robotics Lab, a dynamic research environment with ongoing ESA, EU, and industry projects.
• Opportunities to publish in top robotics journals and conferences (Science Robotics, RA-L, T-RO, IJRR, ICRA, IROS, ASTRA, iSAIRAS, iSpaRo, etc.)
• Access to a strong international network of academic and industry partners. 
• Over 300 sunny days per year, mild year-round temperatures, and the charm of one of the Mediterranean's most beautiful cities.  

Application Instructions

Please send you application as a single PDF to srl@uma.es. The application should include:

1. Your CV, including academic record and publications,
2. A cover letter describing your motivation, fit for the position, and proof of your experience (projects, publications, repositories, videos, website),
3. Transcripts of MSc and BSc degrees,
4. Names and contact details of two referees. 

The review of applications will start in October 2025, and the PhD is expected to start by January 2026.

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Open applications

We are constantly on the lookout for excellent PhD students to join our efforts on: 

• Classical and data-driven path and motion planning approaches
• Autonomous localization and mapping across extreme planetary environments
• Advanced perception systems for perceptually degraded environments
• Novel actuation and locomotion system design 
• Precise manipulation and control of highly actuated platforms
• Adoption and deployment of learning-based methods for space robotic applications

If interested, you can send us an open application at srl@uma.es including your CV, transcripts, and a letter (~500 words) describing your experience and prior work in related fields (links to papers and repositories are encouraged) and a short description of the project you would like to conduct with us (including the what (goals and scope) and why (scientific value and novelty)). 

 

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