All PhD positions at IIT-DLS are performed under the double affiliation between IIT and the University of Genova (UniGE)
The DLS research line performs cutting-edge research and development of legged robots for challenging environments. Our projects address disaster response, space exploration, precision agriculture, inspection, and other applications.
This year, the Dynamic Legged Systems lab has open PhD positions in the I-RIM PhD Program Robotics and intelligent machines (Curriculum: Hostile and unstructured environments (CODE 11226)) located in Genova at the Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), a research institute that uses English as main language. All the positions are fully funded.
For more details and for the exact application deadlines please read below and refer to the page of UniGE dedicated to PhDs and to the page of the specific PhD program.
To join the DLS lab, the prospective PhD student should apply for those positions that have Claudio Semini in the list of the supervisors. In the current round of applications, there are 2 positions available (theme #6 and #7 on page 12 and 14 of the PhD theme document). Additional information is available at page 86-87 of the Unige list of PhD program.
Research Theme #6 - Learning-based Manipulation Skills for Agricultural Robotics
Curriculum: Hostile and unstructured environments
Tutors: Giulio Turrisi, Victor Barasuol, Claudio Semini
Robot manipulation is an area still far from being solved by researchers today, given the amount of variability that exists in a real-word setting that challenges modern control methods. The primary goal of this PhD project is to work on the above topic, developing learning-based approaches — such as reinforcement learning, supervised learning, or hybrid methods— to enable effective and adaptive manipulation with one or two robotic arms, the latter in a bimanual setting scenario. The work will explore how state-of-the-art learning algorithms can be applied to complex, real-world agricultural scenarios. A key component of the project is the integration and optimal use of custom mechatronic end-effectors developed within the DLS group, including innovative grippers, shears, and other specialized tools. Expected platform for testing the approach are primarily fixed-base manipulator arms and mobile manipulators.
Research Theme #7 - Quadruped Robot Control for Environmental Sustainability using Machine Learning
Curriculum: Hostile and unstructured environments
Tutors: Giulio Turrisi, Victor Barasuol, Claudio Semini, Barbara Mazzolai
Pollution presents a significant threat to the equilibrium of many ecosystems. In this sense, robotics can help reduce such a problem by automizing litter collection and disposal in urban and coastal areas, soil measuring in agricultural terrain, or forest monitoring. Still many challenges need to be solved to reach an autonomous and continuous interaction with the environment in a robust manner. This project will focus on the development of novel Reinforcement Learning methods focusing on the above topic and challenges, accounting for autonomous decision-making skills, navigation, perception and control in structured and unstructured scenarios. The main platform for this project will be a quadruped robot, with or without an additional extra manipulator arm.
Guidelines for the PhD application
In addition to the official online application on the UniGE website, interested candidates should send their CV, a letter of motivation, the research project file and the university transcripts to dls.applications@iit.it, including the tag [PHD2025] in the email's subject line.
**Attention**: For a valid application, it is required that you fill the "Università Degli Studi Di Genova online application". All DRIM-PhD positions are managed by University of Genoa. Note that it is compulsory to write and upload a Research Project (use this template here).
Information on the official PhD call and the full details and information on the application procedure are published here: https://unige.it/en/students/phd-programmes
while the themes and research project template can be found here: https://drim.i-rim.it/en/admission/
PLEASE NOTE THE DEADLINE FOR ONLINE APPLICATION - JULY 9TH, 2025 AT 12.00 NOON, ITALY (CEST)
Please also note that the online application procedure requires preparing and uploading a set of documents before the deadline. You first need to register online and then proceed to the online application.
It's strongly recommended to start the application process well before the deadline!