Mobile working machines (MWM) are critical to industries like construction, mining, and agriculture and key to Europe’s sustainability and productivity goals. To meet rising demands for green, autonomous, and digital solutions, the ENGAGE network brings together top machine manufacturers (Volvo CE, Liebherr, Ponsse, AGCO), tech leaders (Bosch, Bosch Rexroth, Novatron, GIM Robotics), and six leading academic groups across Europe (KIT, TUM, TAU, UMU, AALTO).

Educating Europe’s Future Engineers for the Next Generation of Mobile Working Machines: ENGAGE will train a new generation of engineers through Industrial Doctorates, equipping them with cutting-edge expertise in AI, robotics, and mechanical engineering. Together, we’re building the future of smart, sustainable mobile machinery.

The project aims to develop advanced methods for evaluating terrain accessibility and drivability using 3D digital environment maps derived from available sensor data. This may involve a combination of geometric and texture-based information, such as semantic segmentation, to create a detailed understanding of the environment. A key objective is to assess the severity of surface deformations in relation to the off-road capabilities of a given machine. This assessment will serve as a foundation for informed decision-making in complex construction or agricultural tasks. Building on this, the project will also focus on the optimal planning of corrective measures that minimize disruption to the primary work process, ensuring efficiency and continuity. As part of the training component, the doctoral candidate (DC) will acquire broad interdisciplinary expertise at the intersection of machine learning, robotics, simulation, and construction processes.

In addition, the DC will contribute to the dissemination of project outcomes through digital and social media channels, including the project website, LinkedIn groups, YouTube video channels, and blog contributions. The project offers the opportunity to pursue a doctoral thesis.

The Supervisory Team will be Marcus Geimer (KIT) and Manuel Bös (Liebherr).

We are looking for a talented, creative and highly motivated researcher. Recruited researcher can be of any nationality. Doctoral Candidate must be eligible to be enrolled into Doctoral Program at KIT, which requires proof of a far above-average master’s degree, and have not been awarded a doctoral degree. The candidate must also comply with the respective employers' requirements in Germany and Austria.

MSCA Mobility Rule: at the time of recruitment by the host organization the researcher must not have resided or carried out his/her main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the country of his/her employer (KIT, Germany) for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately prior to his/her recruitment. Compulsory national service and/or short stays such as holidays and time spent as part of a procedure for obtaining refugee status under the Geneva Convention are not considered.

At the start of their employment, the applicant must hold a Master of Science (MSc) diploma in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering and Information Technology or any equivalent course of study.

Proficiency in written/spoken English is mandatory. In certain cases, we may ask for a language certificate.