Postdoctoral Research Associate - Robotics and Embodied AI

We seek to leverage generalizable, AI-driven robotics approaches to accelerate scientific discovery, enable robust knowledge capture and transfer, and support experimental science in novel ways that cannot be met with traditional automation techniques. A successful candidate will join a growing team developing AI methods for robotics, with an emphasis on an Embodied AI paradigm. We seek candidates with expertise in robotics, and in algorithmic and AI methods for robotic perception and control. We are most interested in experience with robotics for manipulation tasks, though other strong areas of experience (e.g. locomotion, human-robot interaction, multi-robot systems) are considered as well. We value hands‑on experience with robot hardware including controllers, sensors, electronics, power systems, motors, and custom manufactured parts, including 3D printing.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Conduct fundamental and applied research and development in robotics, including work on robotic perception, control, manipulation and interaction
• Work effectively with single-arm, bimanual, humanoid, and semi-humanoid robots, and with various end-effectors, sensors, control interfaces, and APIs for a variety of experiments, benchmarking efforts, and development of novel perception and control methods
• Collaborate effectively with interdisciplinary teams across BNL and with our 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

Position Requirements

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Ph.D. in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or Mechanical Engineering awarded within the past five years, with demonstrated hands‑on experience in robotics
• Candidates with a Ph.D. in a closely related science or engineering field may also be considered if they have significant demonstrated robotics experience
• Demonstrated publication record in robotics fields and/or in AI/ML methods for robotics; or clear record of robotics projects and achievements (publications, GitHub, lab website)
• Excellent programming and computer science skills
• Experience with robotic diagnostics, maintenance, and customization (e.g. electronical/mechanical disassembly, soldering, driver troubleshooting, etc.)
• Experience with robot simulation environments
• Experience with 3D modeling, 3D printing, and custom hardware integration

Preferred Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Strong theoretical understanding and practical experience in machine learning, artificial intelligence, and embodied AI
• Experience in 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

Other Information

Initial 2-year term appointment subject to renewal contingent on performance and funding.

Candidates must have received a Ph.D. by the commencement of employment.

BNL policy requires that after obtaining a Ph.D., eligible candidates for research associate appointments may not exceed a combined total of 5 years of relevant work experience as a post‑doc and/or in an R&D position, excluding time associated with family planning, military service, illness, or other life‑changing events.

This is a fully onsite position located at BNL in Upton, NY.

Brookhaven National Laboratory is committed to providing fair, equitable and competitive compensation. The full salary range for this position is $74050 - $122550 / year. Salary offers will be commensurate with the final candidate’s qualification, education and experience and considered with the internal peer group.

Brookhaven National Laboratory is committed to employee success and we believe that a comprehensive employee benefits program is an important and meaningful part of the compensation employees receive. Review more information at BNL | Benefits Program

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As a U.S. Department of Energy laboratory, Brookhaven National Laboratory requires employees to obtain and maintain a DOE Uncleared Personal Identity Verification (UPIV) credential in accordance with Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD‑12) requirements. The credentialing process is completed as part of onboarding and enables access to DOE facilities and information systems. As a condition of employment, the selected candidate must be able to obtain and maintain a UPIV credential. These requirements are established under DOE Order 206.2 Chg. 2, Identity, Credential, and Access Management (ICAM- Identity, Credential, and Access Management (ICAM)), and DOE Order 473.1A- Physical Protection Program- Physical Protection Program.

About Us

Brookhaven National Laboratory ( delivers discovery science and transformative technology to power and secure the nation’s future. Brookhaven Lab is a multidisciplinary laboratory with seven Nobel Prize‑winning discoveries, 37 R&D 100 Awards, and more than 70 years of pioneering research. The Lab is primarily supported by the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Science. Brookhaven Science Associates (BSA) operates and manages the Laboratory for DOE. BSA is a partnership between Battelle and The Research Foundation for the State University of New York on behalf of Stony Brook University. BSA salutes our veterans and active military members with careers that leverage the skills and unique experience they gained while serving our country, learn more at BNL | Opportunities for Veterans at Brookhaven National Laboratory.

Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action

Employer Guided by our core values of integrity, responsibility, innovation, respect, and teamwork, Brookhaven Science Associates is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer‑Vets/Disabled. We are committed to fostering a respectful and collaborative environment that fuels scientific discovery. We consider all qualified applicants without regard to any characteristic protected by law. All qualified individuals are encouraged to apply. We ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.

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Thanks for your interest in joining the Brookhaven Lab team. At Brookhaven Lab, everyone has a role in discovery science and transformative technology that's helping power and secure the nation’s future. Our track record includes seven Nobel Prize‑winning discoveries, 37 R&D 100 Awards (the "Oscars of Innovation"), and countless other advances.