Postdoctoral Researcher - Machine Learning for Engineering Design

About the role

The Laboratory for Intelligence in Design Engineering and Learning (IDEAL) in the Department of Mechanical and Process Engineering at ETH Zurich invites applications for a postdoctoral position in Machine Learning for Engineering Design, under the guidance of Prof. Mark Fuge. The lab studies AI and machine learning in engineering design problems such as healthcare, power generation, aerospace and robotics. The position is fixed-term, at 100% in Zurich, with an anticipated duration of about two years (one-year initial contract) and a possible extension; the ideal start is between May and October 2027.

Key responsibilities

• Develop or analyse novel algorithms for engineering design applications such as inverse design, generative modelling, robotics or program analysis/synthesis
• Collaborate with industry, academia and national labs to turn real-world needs into scientific questions
• Deploy simulation and algorithm pipelines on high-performance computing systems
• Help set up the digital or physical scientific infrastructure for planned experiments and take part in lab-wide processes and retreats
• Publish papers, present at conferences and write parts of research proposals
• Supervise PhD, master and bachelor students and give limited teaching support

Required profile

• Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science, Applied Mathematics, Robotics or a related field, with a strong publication record
• Expertise in machine learning, robotics, computational simulations, engineering problems, HPC or software engineering/analysis
• Strong English and ability to work in multinational teams
• Preferred: knowledge of recent ML or HPC tools, robotics, manufacturing or computer vision, and experience in formal verification and software analysis

Required skills

• Preferred: Python or Julia libraries such as PyTorch and JAX
• Preferred: packaging simulation or ML code for distributed servers (Docker, Singularity) and HPC clusters
• Preferred: Git/GitHub workflows and code quality practices

What we offer

• Highly autonomous research in a supportive, international team
• Personalised professional development and mentoring
• Flexibility in time and location, including home office from Switzerland

Applications must be submitted online through the ETH Zurich portal by 15 January 2027, with a cover letter, CV with publications, a research statement and contact details for two references.