Open Rank Faculty Positions in Robotics | Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence

Job Description

The Department of Robotics at Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI) invites applications for open-rank faculty positions at the Assistant, Associate, and Full Professor levels. This opportunity offers a chance to join a rapidly growing department at the world’s first university dedicated entirely to AI advancement.

Position Overview:
The Department of Robotics, established in 2023, is in a fast-growing phase and seeks passionate, highly motivated faculty members who will deliver high-quality instruction, mentor students, contribute to curriculum development, and actively engage in interdisciplinary research. Successful candidates will collaborate with leading AI researchers and contribute to AI-based robotics research for the future of human society.

Research Focus Areas:

• Foundation models for robots in various real-world environments
• Reinforcement learning for robot control in unstructured dynamical environments
• Humanoid robotics including whole-body imitation learning
• Human-motion understanding and analysis
• Human-robot interactions using linguistic, psychological, and cognitive tokens
• Data science of robots and humans including multimodal data acquisition

Application Environments:

• Industrial and manufacturing settings
• Agricultural and farming environments
• Household and domestic applications
• Healthcare and medical robotics
• Urban and city infrastructure
• Natural and wilderness environments
• Planetary and space exploration

Key Responsibilities:

Teaching & Mentorship:

• Deliver high-quality instruction in robotics and related disciplines
• Mentor graduate students in research and professional development
• Contribute to curriculum development and program enhancement
• Supervise student research projects and theses

Research & Scholarship:

• Conduct rigorous, high-impact research in AI-based robotics
• Demonstrate excellence and future vision in research direction
• Publish in top-tier conferences and journals
• Maintain an active research agenda with external funding potential
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary research teams

Academic Service:

• Participate in departmental and university activities
• Engage with industry and government partners
• Contribute to MBZUAI’s growth as a global hub for AI excellence

Required Qualifications:

• PhD in Robotics or related field in Computer Science or Engineering
• Demonstrated excellence in conducting innovative and impactful research
• Future vision for research direction and advancement
• Motivation for teaching and mentoring students
• Commitment to curriculum development and academic service

Why Join MBZUAI:

• Top-Tier Compensation: Competitive salaries aligned with leading global academic institutions
• Research Funding: Resources and academic freedom for groundbreaking AI advancements
• Exceptional Benefits: Comprehensive health and life insurance, relocation support for international faculty
• State-of-the-Art Facilities: Cutting-edge AI labs and high-performance computing
• Location: Abu Dhabi – world’s safest city with year-round sunshine, rich culture, and modern amenities
• Collaborations: Work with top AI researchers, leading tech firms, and policymakers

About MBZUAI:
MBZUAI is a research-focused university in Abu Dhabi and the first university dedicated entirely to the advancement of science through AI. The university empowers the next generation of AI leaders through world-class education and interdisciplinary research.

Application Requirements:

• Cover letter
• Curriculum Vitae
• Statement of research vision and interests
• Statement of teaching interests, experience, and philosophy
• List of key publications for last five years
• Google Scholar H-Index
• Names and contact details for three referees (referees will be contacted via Interfolio)

Application Deadline:
August 31, 2026

Equal Employment Opportunity:
MBZUAI is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering a diverse, inclusive academic community that reflects a wide range of cultures and perspectives.

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