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Postdoc Robotics Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

... Postdoctoral Researcher to investigate mitochondria-lysosome crosstalk in the context of aging and ... Recently, the lab has built automated research pipelines that combine liquid-handling robotics ...

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Postdoc Robotics information

What is the difference between Postdoc Robotics vs Research Scientist Robotics?

AspectPostdoc RoboticsResearch Scientist Robotics
Required CredentialsPhD in Robotics, Engineering, or related fieldMaster's or PhD, often with more industry experience
Work EnvironmentAcademic labs, universities, research institutionsIndustry R&D labs, tech companies, startups
Employer & Industry UsageUniversities, government research agenciesPrivate companies, industry-focused research
Common Search & Comparison IntentUnderstanding academic vs industry roles in roboticsExploring career progression from academia to industry

Postdoc Robotics positions are primarily academic roles focused on research and publishing, often requiring a PhD. Research Scientist Robotics roles are industry positions that involve applied research, product development, and innovation within companies. While both roles involve robotics research, Postdocs are more academic-oriented, whereas Research Scientists work in commercial environments with a focus on practical applications.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Postdoc in Robotics, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Postdoc in Robotics, you need a PhD in robotics, computer science, electrical engineering, or a related field, along with strong research and analytical skills. Proficiency with programming languages (such as Python or C++), robotics simulation tools (like ROS or Gazebo), and experience with machine learning or control systems is typically required. Excellent problem-solving abilities, collaboration, and clear scientific communication make a candidate stand out. These skills and qualities are crucial for advancing research, publishing impactful work, and contributing to innovative robotics projects.

What are Postdoc Robotics positions?

Postdoc Robotics positions are advanced research roles typically held by individuals who have recently completed their PhD in robotics or a related field. These positions involve conducting independent or collaborative research focused on robotics technologies, such as autonomous systems, artificial intelligence, machine learning, or human-robot interaction. Postdoctoral researchers in robotics often work at universities, research institutes, or industry labs, contributing to scientific publications and helping to develop new technologies. The role is meant to further develop research expertise and prepare for careers in academia, industry, or government research.

What types of interdisciplinary collaboration can a Postdoc in Robotics expect, and how do these collaborations impact research outcomes?

As a Postdoc in Robotics, you can expect to work closely with professionals from various fields such as computer science, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, and even biology or cognitive science, depending on the project. These interdisciplinary collaborations are crucial for addressing complex research problems, fostering innovation, and ensuring that robotic systems are both technically robust and practical for real-world applications. Effective teamwork and communication skills are essential, as you will often contribute your robotics expertise while integrating insights from collaborators to advance research outcomes and publish in high-impact journals.
What cities in California are hiring for Postdoc Robotics jobs? Cities in California with the most Postdoc Robotics job openings:
Infographic showing various Postdoc Robotics job openings in California as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution.

Postdoctoral Fellowship - Robotics and AI

Ludo Robotics

San Francisco, CA โ€ข On-site

$57K - $78K/yr

Full-time

Posted 9 days ago


Job description

Job Summary:
Ludo Robotics is dedicated to building general-purpose robotic intelligence systems that are robust and adaptive. The Postdoctoral Fellowship focuses on independent and collaborative research in Robotics, AI, and Human-Robot Interaction, allowing fellows to drive meaningful research contributions that advance the state of the art.
Responsibilities:
โ€ข Design and lead an independent research agenda within the fellowship scope, in collaboration with Ludo's research team.
โ€ข Conduct experiments, user studies, and field deployments to evaluate hypotheses on real hardware.
โ€ข Develop theoretical frameworks and translate them into prototype robot behaviors that bridge research with real-world system implementation.
โ€ข Synthesize findings from academic literature across HRI, HCI, social robotics, cognitive science, robot learning, and AI to inform research direction.
โ€ข Integrate developed models and algorithms into robot control pipelines and evaluate their real-world performance.
โ€ข Collaborate cross-functionally with engineers, designers, and product teams to translate research insights into deployable systems.
โ€ข Contribute to establishing metrics and evaluation frameworks for robot behavior and system performance.
โ€ข Publicize and disseminate research findings through publications, preprints, talks, and open-source releases.
โ€ข Actively participate in team seminars, design reviews, and knowledge-sharing sessions.
Qualifications:
Required:
โ€ข PhD (completed or expected by start date) in Human-Robot Interaction, Human-Computer Interaction, Robotics, Computer Science, Cognitive Science, or a closely related field.
โ€ข A strong record of research contributions demonstrated through publications, preprints, or equivalent technical output.
โ€ข Experience conducting rigorous experimentsโ€”user studies, ablations, or system evaluationsโ€”and interpreting results clearly.
โ€ข Ability to work independently and drive a research agenda with minimal supervision while remaining collaborative and communicative.
Preferred:
โ€ข Hands-on prototyping experience with physical robots (humanoid, mobile, or custom platforms) or virtual agents.
โ€ข Experience designing and running controlled user studies and participatory design sessions.
โ€ข Comfort working across disciplines, translating between user insights, theoretical models, and engineering constraints.
โ€ข Familiarity with ROS, Python, or related robotics software tools.
โ€ข Experience with large language models (LLMs), particularly in building conversational AI, dialog systems, or applying LLMs to robot behavior such as natural language understanding and task planning.
โ€ข Genuine curiosity about people and what makes interactions feel natural, safe, and engaging.
Company:
Ludo Robotics is an AI company that develops robotic intelligence systems for perception, learning, manipulation, and task execution. Founded in 2026, the company is headquartered in San Francisco, USA, with a team of 11-50 employees. The company is currently Early Stage.