Postdoctoral Research Associate - Robotics and Embodied AI

Brookhaven National Laboratory • Upton, NY

22d • Onsite

About The Position

Brookhaven National Laboratory’s Scientific Embodied Agents Lab (SEAL), within the Computing and Data Sciences directorate, seeks a postdoctoral researcher to conduct robotics research at the intersection of AI and experimental science. The team develops generalizable, AI-driven robotics approaches to accelerate scientific discovery, capture and transfer knowledge, and support experimental workflows beyond the capabilities of traditional automation. The role emphasizes an Embodied AI paradigm, robotic perception and control, and particularly manipulation, though candidates with strengths in areas such as locomotion, human-robot interaction, or multi-robot systems are also considered.

The associate will conduct fundamental and applied robotics research and development; work hands-on with a range of robotic platforms, end-effectors, sensors, control interfaces, and APIs; collaborate with interdisciplinary teams and external partners; develop research ideas with department colleagues and mentors; and publish and communicate outcomes. The appointment is an initial two-year term, subject to renewal based on performance and funding. It is fully onsite at Brookhaven National Laboratory in Upton, New York. Candidates must have received a Ph.D. by the start of employment and meet the laboratory’s post-Ph.D. experience limit for research associate appointments. The selected candidate must be able to obtain and maintain a DOE Uncleared Personal Identity Verification (UPIV) credential.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or Mechanical Engineering, awarded within the past five years; candidates with a Ph.D. in a closely related science or engineering field may be considered with significant demonstrated robotics experience.
• Demonstrated hands-on experience in robotics.
• Demonstrated publication record in robotics and/or AI/ML methods for robotics, or a clear record of robotics projects and achievements, such as publications, GitHub work, or a lab website.
• Excellent programming and computer science skills.
• Experience with robotic diagnostics, maintenance, and customization, such as electronic or mechanical disassembly, soldering, and driver troubleshooting.
• Experience with robot simulation environments.
• Experience with 3D modeling, 3D printing, and custom hardware integration.
• Must have received a Ph.D. by commencement of employment.
• Eligible research associate candidates may not exceed a combined total of five years of relevant post-Ph.D. work experience as a postdoc and/or in an R&D position, excluding time associated with family planning, military service, illness, or other life-changing events.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain a DOE Uncleared Personal Identity Verification (UPIV) credential.
• Non-badged personnel, including visitors, must present REAL-ID or REAL-ID-compliant documentation to access the laboratory.

Nice To Haves

• Strong theoretical understanding and practical experience in machine learning, artificial intelligence, and embodied AI.
• Experience developing, training, evaluating, and deploying large AI/ML models in HPC and cluster-computing environments.
• Experience working in multidisciplinary collaborations.
• Experience working with industry partnerships.
• Experience with robotics manipulation; experience in locomotion, human-robot interaction, or multi-robot systems is also considered.

Responsibilities

• Conduct fundamental and applied research and development in robotics, including robotic perception, control, manipulation, and interaction.
• Work with single-arm, bimanual, humanoid, and semi-humanoid robots, as well as varied end-effectors, sensors, control interfaces, and APIs, in experiments, benchmarking, and development of perception and control methods.
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams across Brookhaven National Laboratory and with academic and industry partners.
• Conceive and execute high-quality research ideas in partnership with AI Department colleagues and mentors.
• Publish and communicate research outcomes and participate in proposal and collaboration-building activities.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree