Research Fellow in Neuromorphic Local Sensorimotor Intelligence

ISTITUTO ITALIANO DI TECNOLOGIA; Italia; On-site; EUR 20,000 - 25,000; Full time

Job summary

ISTITUTO ITALIANO DI TECNOLOGIA in Genova, Italy, invites applications for a 12-month Research Fellow in the Event-Driven Perception for Robotics unit. You will work under Dr.

Chiara Bartolozzi in a multicultural, interdisciplinary team focusing on neuromorphic sensing, spiking networks, and end-to-end robotic perception and action planning within the SHIFT project. The role offers exposure to leading-edge neuromorphic computing, international collaboration, and opportunities to contribute to

Qualifications

• MSc in computational neuroscience or related field.
• Experience with spiking neural networks or spike-driven learning.
• Proficient in English (spoken and written).

Skills

Spiking neural networks

Spike-driven learning

Neuromorphic circuit design

English proficiency

Education

MSc in computational neuroscience or related field

Tools

Python

Job description

Organisation/Company Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia Research Field Computer science Engineering Researcher Profile Recognised Researcher (R2) Application Deadline 20 Nov 2026 - 00:00 (UTC) Country Italy Type of Contract Other Job Status Other Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

Commitment & contract: Research Fellow, 12 months

Location: Centre for Robotics and Intelligent Systems, Genova, Italy

Step into a world of endless possibilities, together let’s leave something for the future!

At IIT, we are committed to advancing human-centered Science and Technology to address the most urgent societal challenges of our era. We foster excellence in both fundamental and applied research, spanning fields such as neuroscience and cognition, humanoid technologies and robotics, artificial intelligence, nanotechnology, and material sciences, offering a truly interdisciplinary scientific experience. Our approach integrates cutting-edge tools and technology, empowering researchers to push the limits of knowledge and innovation. With us, your curiosity will know no bounds.

We are dedicated to providing equal employment opportunities and fostering diversity in all its forms, creating an inclusive environment. We value the unique experiences, knowledge, backgrounds, cultures, and perspectives of our people. By embracing diversity, we believe science can achieve its fullest potential.

THE ROLE

You will be working in the Event-Driven Perception for Robotics Research unit coordinated by Dr. Chiara Bartolozzi (she/her), a multicultural and multi-disciplinary group, where junior and senior scientists collaborate towards a shared research goal.

Our research focuses on neuromorphic technologies for developing robots to act swiftly, robustly and efficiently in uncontrolled environment in a wide range of conditions and tasks. This includes real-time event-driven vision, neuromorphic touch perception, and developing end-to-end neuromorphic robots (from perception to decision making, to control) that exploit embodiment. We aim at endowing robots with the ability to continuously infer, predict and adapt to the state of the environment and of the robotic platform itself to plan and execute appropriate actions.

Within the European funded project “SHIFT” we will endow a snake-like robot with neuromorphic tactile and proprioceptive sensors, and develop spiking neural networks to implement local reflexes and support the estimation of the robot state and action planning. The project will deliver a perfect tool to study embodied intelligence through the systematic study of the synergies between neural computation, robot morphology, sensing and actuation, and the environment.

We are building a dedicated team with multidisciplinary competences that include neuromorphic sensory encoding, SNN computing and learning for closed-loop sensorimotor systems, and neuromorphic circuit design. The team will leverage the core competences of the EDPR group and closely collaborate with the MESH IIT facility and the projects partners.

ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS

• A MSc in computational neuroscience, neuromorphic computing and engineering, computer science, or similar disciplines
• Documented experience in spiking neural networks and/or spike driven learning and/or mixed-mode neuromorphic circuit design
• Good command of spoken and written English

ADDITIONAL SKILLS

• Knowledge of programming tools (Python)
• Ability to work in a challenging and international environment
• Capacity to work autonomously and collaboratively in a highly interdisciplinary environment
• Possess Analytical Reasoning skills and a growth mindset

COMPENSATION PACKAGE

• A yearly gross salary ranging between 20k and 25k
• Candidates from abroad or Italian citizens who have carried scientific research activity permanently abroad and meet specific requirements, may be entitled to a deduction from taxable income of up to 90% from 6 to 13 years.

This position is financed by the Horizon Europe SHIFT project (pending Grant Agreement signature) and is part of the Italian Institute of Technology Brain and Machines flagship.