Robotics Research Careers • ETH Zurich • Switzerland
ETH Zurich RobotX PhD & Postdoctoral Fellowships 2027
Apply to robotics research groups across ETH Zurich through separate doctoral and postdoctoral fellowship vacancies. Explore research themes, qualifications, funding and the official application procedure.
ETH Zurich RobotX Fellowships 2027 — Overview
RobotX is the Center for Robotics at ETH Zurich. Its recruitment model lets an applicant indicate up to three preferred RobotX professors, enabling several robotics groups to consider one application. Applicants select the separate doctoral or postdoctoral job opening and comply with that route’s academic requirements.
| Institution | ETH Zurich — Center for Robotics (RobotX) |
|---|---|
| Location | Zurich, Switzerland |
| Opportunities | RobotX PhD Fellowship 2027 and RobotX Postdoctoral Fellowship |
| Research areas | Robotics, manipulation, locomotion, perception, machine learning, soft robotics, biohybrid systems, control and more |
| Appointment | 100% full-time, fixed-term |
| Application deadline | 27 November 2026 |
| Final decision | No later than 15 February 2027, per RobotX general guidance |
| Start | By agreement in 2027 |
| Application method | Separate official online job application for each fellowship |
Current RobotX PhD and Postdoctoral Opportunities
RobotX PhD Fellowship 2027
Fully funded doctoral employment in robotics, with project definition developed alongside the supervisor during the initial months. Requires a relevant Master’s qualification by August 2027.
RobotX Postdoctoral Fellowship
Independent research leadership in robotics, publication and student mentoring. Requires a doctoral degree by August 2027, a strong research record and relevant project experience.
Multi-Group Consideration
Candidates identify up to three preferred professors or research groups. Research interests and past accomplishments should closely match those groups.
Both official jobs specify 27 November 2026 as the application deadline.
Research Themes Across RobotX
Soft and Biohybrid Robotics
Compliant robotic materials, artificial muscles, tissue-based systems and adaptive robots.
Locomotion and Manipulation
Legged robots, dexterous manipulators, humanoids, whole-body control and tactile sensing.
Robot Intelligence
Computer vision, perception, reinforcement learning, motion planning and safety-critical control.
Other research areas include human–robot interaction, computational robot design and fabrication, and autonomous operation in complex environments. The range of groups does not guarantee matching openings in every laboratory.
Academic and Technical Eligibility
| PhD degree requirement | Master’s in mechanical/electrical engineering, computer science, robotics, bioengineering, materials science or related field; completed by August 2027 |
|---|---|
| PhD academic preparation | Excellent Bachelor’s and Master’s record, relevant project experience, analytical ability and programming skills |
| Postdoctoral qualification | Relevant PhD completed by August 2027 |
| Postdoctoral research record | Strong publication record; demonstrated robotics or related research; independence and mentoring potential |
| Both routes | Strong spoken and written English, programming skills and research interests matching RobotX groups |
The official adverts value project work producing tested results on physical robotic hardware. Candidates should provide accurate evidence of their own technical contributions; prior work on robotic software frameworks is helpful but not universally mandatory.
Funding, Employment Contracts and Benefits
| PhD fellowship | Fully funded doctoral position at ETH Zurich’s doctoral salary rate with social benefits |
|---|---|
| Postdoctoral fellowship | ETH postdoctoral salary rate; full social benefits |
| Postdoctoral contract | Initially one year, typically extended; any extension subject to the employment arrangement |
| Working time | 100% position |
| Research network | Supervision/hosting by a RobotX professor and access to the wider ETH RobotX research network |
| Starting date | By agreement in 2027 |
No fixed CHF salary figure is specified in these fellowship advertisements. Applicants should consult current ETH salary tables and their written employment offer rather than relying on a generic stipend estimate.
Mandatory Application Package: One Merged PDF
For PhD applicants:
- Cover letter discussing research motivation, completed technical projects and preferred RobotX groups.
- Curriculum vitae, including publications or preprints if available.
- English Bachelor’s and Master’s transcripts with local grading scales.
- Names, email addresses and direct telephone numbers for three professional references.
- One research publication, thesis or project report demonstrating research and writing.
For postdoctoral applicants: Provide a cover letter with a brief proposed research agenda; CV and full publication list; Bachelor’s and Master’s transcripts, doctoral certificate or expected defence date; three referee contacts; and one or two representative publications.
Use the official order for the relevant role; incomplete submissions may not be evaluated.
How to Apply — Official ETH Zurich Portals
- Read the RobotX open positions and FAQs page.
- Choose the correct job listing: PhD Fellowship 2027 or Postdoctoral Fellowship.
- Review eligibility and shortlist up to three relevant RobotX professors.
- Prepare the required documents in the correct order and compress them into one PDF.
- Submit via the specific ETH Zurich job portal by 27 November 2026.
- Retain the employer’s acknowledgement and monitor further selection correspondence.
Recruitment Timeline
| Application deadline | 27 November 2026 |
|---|---|
| Applications outside the period | RobotX says submissions outside the advertised window will not be processed |
| Selection outcome | Final decisions communicated by 15 February of the following year, according to RobotX general guidance |
| Degree completion | By August 2027 for the relevant Master’s/doctoral degree |
| Start of appointment | By agreement during 2027 |
How to Prepare a Strong Research Application
- Show how past experiments, algorithms, prototypes or software map to the research interests of the selected professors.
- Identify demonstrable research contributions rather than relying on general interest in AI or robotics.
- For PhD applications, explain specific hardware, simulation, control or learning work in previous projects.
- For postdoctoral applications, explain independent research direction, representative publications and mentoring or project leadership.
- Ensure all reference contacts, file contents and degree-completion information match the official requirements.
Distinguish Other ETH Robotics Fellowships
RobotX also operates a Robotics Student Fellowship for student research visits and an ETH Robotics Research Fellowship that provides partial support for short research visits by external researchers. These are separate programmes with different durations, eligibility, funding models and submission rules.
Robotics Student Fellowship | ETH Robotics Research Fellowship
CareerAidHub — International Research Career Support
CareerAidHub offers independent assistance with academic CVs, research statements, cover letters, international research opportunity tracking and interview preparation.
CareerAidHub is not affiliated with ETH Zurich or RobotX and cannot influence university selection decisions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are RobotX PhD and postdoctoral applications open in October 2026?
Yes. ETH Zurich’s official listings specify 27 November 2026 for both routes.
Can international candidates apply?
The postings do not specify a nationality restriction, but applicants must meet academic and applicable Swiss employment or immigration requirements.
Do PhD applicants need a Master’s degree?
Yes, a relevant Master’s must be completed by August 2027 under this specific PhD advertisement.
Can I apply to several professors?
The programme allows applicants to identify up to three preferred RobotX professors.
Is the PhD funded?
Yes. It is a fully funded ETH Zurich doctoral employment position with social benefits.
How long is the postdoctoral appointment?
The advertised initial postdoctoral contract is one year and is typically extended.
What format should I upload?
One merged PDF, ideally under 10 MB, containing the specified materials in the correct sequence.
Can I email an application?
No. ETH Zurich accepts applications through its online portal only.
Do I need three reference letters on submission?
The advertisements ask for the names and contact details of three references, including email and direct phone numbers.
When will decisions be communicated?
RobotX’s general guidance says no later than 15 February of the following year.
Official Sources and Verification
- ETH Zurich — RobotX PhD Fellowship 2027
- ETH Zurich — RobotX Postdoctoral Fellowship
- ETH RobotX — Application Process and FAQs
- ETH Zurich — Center for Robotics
Last verified: 8 October 2026. Both specific official fellowship advertisements state the 27 November 2026 application deadline. Individual job descriptions take precedence for eligibility, document requirements and employment terms.
