Location: Barcelona, Spain (Expected start: 2027)

Academic partner: Institut de Robòtica i Informàtica Industrial (IRI, CSIC-UPC)

Duration: 4 years (Industrial PhD – subject to funding approval through the Spanish Industrial Doctorates programme) About Us: ABLE Human Motion develops next-generation robotic exoskeletons to improve gait rehabilitation for people with neurological impairments. The ABLE Exoskeleton is a CE-marked medical device already deployed in rehabilitation hospitals across Europe, providing a unique opportunity to develop and validate cutting-edge robotics algorithms on a real clinical product. Research project

We are seeking an outstanding PhD candidate to develop the next generation of intelligent control algorithms for lower-limb robotic exoskeletons using Reinforcement Learning. The project will be carried out jointly between ABLE Human Motion and the Institut de Robòtica i Informàtica Industrial (IRI CSIC-UPC), one of Europe's leading robotics research institutes. The objective is to develop adaptive locomotion and navigation algorithms capable of operating safely in both structured clinical environments and unstructured real-world settings.

Research topics include:

Reinforcement Learning for locomotion control

Safe Reinforcement Learning for physical human-robot interaction

Sim-to-real transfer

Human intention detection

Adaptive gait assistance

Robot navigation and obstacle avoidance

Biomechanical modelling of human-exoskeleton interaction The developed algorithms will be validated both in simulation and on commercial robotic exoskeletons with real users. Candidate profile





We are looking for highly motivated candidates with:

MSc in Robotics, Artificial Intelligence, Computer Science, Control Engineering, Mechanical Engineering or related fields

Strong programming skills (Python and C++)

Experience with Reinforcement Learning or Machine Learning

Robotics background, especially in motion control techniques such as optimal control or motion planning.

Experience with ROS/ROS2 is highly valued

Experience with simulation environments (Isaac Sim, MuJoCo or similar) is a plus

Strong mathematical background

Excellent English communication skills

What we offer A fully industrial research environment developing a commercial medical robot

Joint supervision by ABLE Human Motion and IRI (CSIC-UPC)

Opportunity to publish in top robotics and AI conferences and journals

Direct access to commercial robotic exoskeletons for experimental validation

State-of-the-art simulation and computing infrastructure

International multidisciplinary team

Competitive salary according to the Industrial Doctorate programme

Why join us?

Unlike many academic projects that stop at simulation, your research will be integrated into a real medical device used daily by patients in rehabilitation hospitals. You will work at the intersection of reinforcement learning, wearable robotics, biomechanics and medical technology, contributing to the next generation of intelligent assistive robots with real clinical impact.

How to Apply? Send an email to [email protected] attaching your CV with the subject “PhD Reinforcement Learning”.

📌 Industrial PhD Position – Reinforcement Learning for Wearable Robotics (Barcelona)
🏢 Able Human Motion
📍 Barcelona