Postdoctoral Research Associate – Physical/Embodied AI

Brookhaven National Laboratory; Upton (NY); On-site; USD 74,000 - 123,000; Full time

Job summary

Brookhaven National Laboratory invites applications for a postdoctoral research position in Embodied AI within the Scientific Embodied Agents Lab (SEAL). The role focuses on foundation models for robotics, world models, and video policies, combining theory with hands-on experimentation.

The successful candidate will conduct fundamental and applied research, collaborate across interdisciplinary teams, publish results, and contribute to proposals, with an initial 2-year appointment and onsite work

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in CS/CE/EE awarded within the past 5 years; related fields with AI/robotics ok
• Strong theoretical and practical AI/ML and robotics methods
• Demonstrated publication record in AI/ML and/or robotics
• Excellent programming and computer science skills

Responsibilities

• Conduct fundamental and applied research in embodied AI, agentic AI, and robotics; software- and hardware-focused work
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams across BNL and partners
• Conceive and execute high-quality research ideas with mentors
• Publish results and participate in proposals and collaborations

Skills

PhD in CS/CE/EE

AI/robotics experience

Publications in AI/ML/robotics

Programming skills

Education

PhD awarded within past 5 years

Tools

Robotics hardware experience

Job description

Brookhaven National Lab’s (BNL) AI Department welcomes qualified candidates to apply to a new postdoc research position in Embodied AI. The Scientific Embodied Agents Lab (SEAL) within the Computing and Data Sciences (CDS) directorate is working at the intersection of AI and robotics to investigate the challenges and opportunities facing advanced robotics and embodied AI technologies in supporting current scientific workflows and enabling new capabilities. A key motivator for this endeavor is the breadth of experimental science that form the core of BNL’s research focus. We seek to leverage embodied AI 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.

We seek candidates with expertise in physical AI and embodied AI, particularly foundation models for robotics and physical interaction, including VLAs (vision language action models), robotic agents, world models, and video policies.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

• Conduct fundamental and applied research in embodied AI, agentic AI, and robotics, including research with a software-focus (robotics foundation models, world models, simulations), and a hardware-focus (robotic perception, control, manipulation and interaction).
• 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.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Ph.D. in computer science, computer engineering, or electrical engineering awarded within the past 5 years. A Ph.D. in a related field (e.g., other science, engineering, applied mathematics, statistics), with strong demonstrated AI and robotics experience would also be considered.
• Strong theoretical understanding and practical experience in methods and applications from machine learning, artificial intelligence, and robotics research communities.
• Demonstrated publication record in AI/ML and/or robotics fields.
• Excellent programming and computer science skills.

Preferred Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

• Hands‑on experience with robotics and/or ML-based work with relevant electronics and components (sensors, motors, controllers, etc.).
• Practical experience designing and developing novel AI/ML models.
• Experience with state‑of‑the‑art foundation models, agentic AI models, and simulation environments for robotics.
• Experience in developing, training, evaluating, and deploying large AI/ML models in HPC and cluster computing environments.
• Experience with 3D modeling, 3D printing, and custom hardware.
• Experience with robotic diagnostics, maintenance, and customization.
• Experience working in multidisciplinary collaborations.

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 PhD, 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 (www.bnl.gov) 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. *VEVRAA Federal Contractor BSA employees are subject to restrictions related to participation in Foreign Government Talent Recruitment Programs, as defined and detailed in United States Department of Energy Order 486.1A. You will be asked to disclose any such participation at the time of hire for review by Brookhaven. The full text of the Order may be found at: https://www.directives.doe.gov/directives-documents/400-series/0486.1-BOrder-a/@@images/file