PhD Research Internship – Robotics Engineer (VLM / VLA Models)

About the role

We are seeking a highly motivated PhD candidate to join our team as a Research Intern specializing in General Purpose AI, with a focus on Vision-Language Models and Vision-Language-Action systems. This role sits at the frontier of industrial robotics: developing scalable, general-purpose VLA systems that enable robots to perceive, reason, and act autonomously in complex heavy-industry environments. Beyond engineering, this position has a strong research component, with opportunities to contribute to novel methods, publish findings, and shape the future of industrial autonomy.

What you'll do

• Design and develop novel approaches for Vision-Language-Action systems in real-world industrial settings
• Lead the design and analysis of large-scale multi-modal datasets (video, radar, lidar, sensor fusion)
• Develop self-supervised or weakly supervised dataset generation pipelines for VLA training
• Build, adapt, and extend cutting-edge GenAI models (e.g., VLMs, VLA frameworks)
• Apply advanced fine-tuning strategies (e.g., parameter-efficient tuning, alignment methods)
• Design rigorous evaluation protocols for embodied AI systems in industrial contexts
• Collaborate with engineering teams to transition research prototypes into production-ready systems
• Document findings and contribute to research publications, technical reports, or patents

What you'll need

• Current enrollment in a PhD program in Robotics, Computer Science, Machine Learning, Electrical Engineering, or a related field
• Strong programming skills in Python and deep learning frameworks (e.g., PyTorch)
• Solid understanding of machine learning, deep learning, and multi-modal models
• Proven ability to conduct independent research and drive projects from idea to results
• Strong analytical thinking and problem-solving skills

Nice to have

• Experience with Vision-Language Models, embodied AI, or robotics learning systems
• Familiarity with modern GenAI tooling (e.g., Hugging Face ecosystem, Gemini, Unsloth, or similar)
• Background in robotics, control systems, or real-world deployment
• Track record of research output (publications, preprints, or significant research projects)
• Experience with large-scale training, distributed systems, or model optimization

What they offer

• Attractive compensation package and stock options
• Assistance with relocation to Berlin
• Engage with top-tier researchers, engineers, and thought leaders
• Beverages on-site and regular social events