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This role sits within ABB's Robotics business, a leading global robotics company. We're entering an exciting new chapter as we’ve announced the plan for SoftBank Group to acquire ABB Robotics. SoftBank is a globally recognized technology group and investor/operator focused on AI, robotics, and next-generation computing. By joining us now, you’ll be part of a pioneering team shaping the future of robotics—working alongside world-class experts in a fast-moving, innovation-driven environment.
This Position reports to:
R&D Center LeadYour role and responsibilities
This thesis combines both investigation and prototype development in the area of tactile-guided robotic manipulation. The student will investigate how tactile sensing can improve the performance and robustness of contact-rich manipulation tasks. A digital twin of a robot arm equipped with a Psyonic/Linkerbot Hand will be provided by the supervisors in NVIDIA Isaac Sim. Building on this foundation, the student will extend the simulation framework with tactile sensing capabilities, develop reinforcement learning training environments and pipelines in NVIDIA Isaac Lab, and evaluate tactile-guided manipulation policies in simulation, with optional validation on real hardware.
The work is expected to include:
- Conducting a literature review on tactile sensing, dexterous manipulation, and robot learning methods on Isaac Sim & Isaac Lab.
- Developing tactile sensing simulation based on contact information available in Isaac Sim.
- Implementing and training reinforcement learning policies for contact-rich manipulation tasks such as grasp stabilization, object manipulation, pick-and-place, and insertion.
- Comparing tactile-aware policies against proprioception-only baselines.
- Evaluating policy performance in terms of task success rate, robustness, and sim-to-real transfer capability.
The project has a well-defined technical direction, but students are encouraged to propose and explore their own ideas regarding tactile representations, learning algorithms, task design, or sim-to-real transfer strategies. We are open to suggestions that align with the overall goal of improving tactile-guided robotic manipulation.
Details:
- Period: January to July, 2027
- Number of credits: 30 ECTS/högskolepoäng (hp)
- Number of students for this thesis work: 1
- Location: on-site, Västerås
The thesis will be jointly supervised by two supervisors with complementary expertise in robotics and AI. Students will receive guidance on simulation development and tactile sensing, as well as on robot learning methods such as reinforcement learning and imitation learning. Additional expertise in robotics and control systems will be available throughout the project, providing comprehensive support across both AI and robotics domains.
Qualifications for the role
- Master students interested in robotics and reinforcement learning
- Python, C++, ROS 2 experience is preferred
- Robotics fundamentals (kinematics, dynamics, control)
- Machine learning basics
- Linux and Git
More about us
Recruiting Manager LiWei Qi, +46 73 021 2309, Supervisors: Tong Hui, [email protected] Zhen Li [email protected] will answer your questions.
Positions are filled continuously. Please apply with your CV, academic transcripts, and a cover letter in English.
We look forward to receiving your application!
A Future Opportunity
Please note that this position is part of our talent pipeline and not an active job opening at this time. By applying, you express your interest in future career opportunities with ABB.
We value people from different backgrounds. Could this be your story? Apply today or visit www.abb.com to learn more about us and see the impact of our work across the globe.
Skills Required
- Master's student interested in robotics and reinforcement learning
- Robotics fundamentals, including kinematics, dynamics, and control
- Machine learning basics
- Linux and Git experience
- Python, C++, and ROS 2 experience
ABB Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about ABB and has not been reviewed or approved by ABB.
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Healthcare Strength — Healthcare coverage is described as comprehensive, with medical, dental, vision, mental health support, and disability and life insurance included. Immediate eligibility in some roles reinforces the sense of dependable core coverage.
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Leave & Time Off Breadth — Time-off offerings are described as broad, including paid holidays, sick days, volunteer time, sabbaticals, and, in some cases, 25 days of PTO. Flexible scheduling and remote-work options add to perceived time-off and flexibility value.
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Retirement Support — Retirement benefits are positioned as robust, including a 401(k) with company contributions or matching and, in some cases, profit sharing or pension savings. Stock purchase/share acquisition programs complement longer-term savings options.
ABB Insights
What We Do
ABB is a leading global technology company that energizes the transformation of society and industry to achieve a more productive, sustainable future. By connecting software to its electrification, robotics, automation and motion portfolio, ABB pushes the boundaries of technology to drive performance to new levels. With a history of excellence stretching back more than 130 years, ABB’s success is driven by about 110,000 talented employees in over 100 countries. www.abb.com
