Junior Researcher on Interoperability and Architecture Design for Autonomous Ground Systems (iMUGS2) M/W/X

Description de l'entreprise

CONTEXT 

In the framework of the ongoing iMUGS2 project (Integrated Modular Unmanned Ground Systems 2 - https://imugs.eu/), we are looking for a full-time researcher in Multi-Agent Collaboration and Coordination with a Master/Engineer degree in Robotics or related field. 

The iMUGS2 project builds on the success of the European EDIDP iMUGS program and aims to develop next-generation unmanned ground systems with enhanced autonomy, modularity, and interoperability. A key innovation is the use of Multi-Agent Collaboration and multimodal AI to improve interaction between human operators and unmanned systems, providing intuitive, explainable, and adaptive collaborative autonomy solutions for command and control in complex military environments. 

The Royal Military Academy (RMA) is fully recognised as a university, fulfilling the same criteria as civilian universities. The RMA is also conducting scientific research at university level for projects funded by the Belgian Defence department or external sources. 

We value diversity and equal opportunities. Whether you are a man, a woman or X, or come from any background, we firmly believe that diversity enriches our community, and we encourage all qualified candidates to apply. 

Description de la fonction

PROJECT 

You work within the Robotics & Autonomous Systems (https://mecatron.rma.ac.be/) research unit of the department of Mechanics of the Polytechnic Faculty of the RMA. You conduct scientific research at university level on a project entitled ¿iMUGS2¿. Your research will focus on the application of Multi-Agent Collaboration technology for collaborative autonomy in unmanned ground systems, including: 

• Develop an interoperable, open, and modular multi-agent architecture in the global architecture of the project's System-of-Systems 
• Study and integration of optimal multi-robot planning algorithms 
• Define communication interface to enable the exchange of information between the team 

Given the applied nature of this project and its strong involvement in European-scale collaborative defence programs, you will occasionally prepare and participate in on-site demonstrations and field trials, mainly on military sites in Europe. 

MAIN TASKS 

• Lead development and implementation of standards that enable interoperability, focusing on mission management and multi-agent autonomy. 
• Leading the planning and execution of international demonstration campaigns. 
• Support in testing and validation of the multi-agent framework. 
• Contribute to integration with ROS/ROS2 of the developed solutions in real vehicles. 
• Document your research and contribute to scientific publications, deliverables, and project reports. 

Profil

SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE: 

Degree(s) required / ideal degree(s): Master/Engineer's degree in Robotics, Computer Science, or related fields 

This position is open for junior profiles (ideally 0-3 years of experience) or experienced profiles (up to 10 years of experience. 

¿MUST HAVE¿ skills: 

• Excellent oral & written knowledge of English 
• Experience in Robotics and knowledge in ROS/ROS2 
• Good programming skills in Python and/or C++ 

¿NICE TO HAVE¿ skills:  

• Experience in Multi-Agent Collaboration, or multimodal AI 
• Knowledge in simulation environments for robotics 
• Knowledge in robotics and/or software architecture design 
• Knowledge in interoperability, standardisation and/or, more specifically, NATO STANAG/STANREC standards 
• Experience in organising tests and demonstrations 
• Minimum knowledge of French or Dutch is an added value for collaboration with peers. 

Personal skills: 

• Ability to work independently and in a multi-disciplinary, international team 
• You will be working closely together with multiple industrial and academic partners and will get insight in their proprietary intellectual property. Confidentiality is therefore an absolute must. 
• You are comfortable working in a complex international, multi-partner environment, fostering constructive collaboration, and resolving interpersonal tensions when needed. 

SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS 

• The researcher may be exposed to classified information and will therefore have to obtain the required security clearance. The candidate must consent with the background check required to obtain this clearance, which will be executed by Belgian Defence. 
• The researcher will be working within the context of European or NATO projects. Due to this project framework, this position is only open for NATO / EU citizens. 
• Working for the Patrimony requires living in Belgium for the duration of the study. 

Diplôme

• Supérieur universitaire

Compétences linguistiques

• Anglais (requis)

  • Comprendre : Expérimenté - (C1)
  • Écrire : Expérimenté - (C1)
  • Lire : Expérimenté - (C1)
  • Parler : Expérimenté - (C1)

Avantages du poste

CONTRACT 

• Probable date of recruitment: From 15 October 2026, in consultation with the applicant.  
• Status: Full-time employment (38 hours/week) based on an open-ended contract with the Patrimony of the Royal Military Academy (you will not be a civil servant). 
• Please note that your contract will be open-ended, but the financing of the contract will be tied to the funding project, which is guaranteed until November 2028 (end of iMUGS2 project). There is a high chance for the project to be prolonged after this initial period, depending on the availability of new funding.  
• Wage scale: class NA11 (holder of a Master's degree in Science or equivalent), or NA21 (holder of an Ir degree or equivalent Master's in Engineering Sciences, doctor's degree in the same area of expertise), with valuable / relevant seniority.  A salary simulation can be done here: Simulateur de salaire. RMA applies a merit-based research career track, allowing researchers to advance in wage scale based upon annual evaluations. 
• Holiday pay. 

EXTRA LEGAL BENEFITS 

• Possibility to benefit from a bilingualism allowance (Dutch/French) following a SELOR test; 
• End-of-year bonus; 
• Free DKV hospitalization insurance. Possibility of additional affiliation for one or more persons living under the same roof: spouse, child(ren) (50% of the price per additional member); 
• Bike allowance / Free public transport (home-work commute); 
• Meal vouchers (6€ / day); 
• Digital allowance: 15€ / month; 
• Free access to campus sports facilities outside working hours; 
• On-campus restaurant and cafeteria with democratic prices (discount on the daily menu); 
• Flexible working hours within the 38-hour week; 
• Teleworking possible with allowance (2 days / week max); 
• Holidays:  
• 29 days holiday / year from the 1st year of contract (then from 45 years: +1 day holiday every 5 years)  
• 1 week OFF every year between Christmas and New year's Eve (independent of the annual balance of holidays). 
• Advantages and interesting offers thanks to the Benefits@work card (discounts, vouchers...); 
• Entitlement to services offered by the `Office Central d'Action Sociale et Culturelle de la Défense' (OCASC): among others holiday centres, discount on travel organised by the tour operator...; 
• Possibility to benefit from the nursery funded by Belgian Defence (subject to availability). 

Informations supplémentaires

APPLICATION 

Please send by email: 

• a CV 
• a motivational letter 
• a copy of the requested diploma, license(s) and relevant certificates 
• a confirmation of your EU/NATO nationality 
  to Dr. Bernardes (evandro.bernardes@mil.be), Dr. Le Flecher (emile.leflecher@mil.be) and to ERM-DEAO-STAFF-HRMGT-PATRIMONY@mil.be. 

Please mention clearly the reference of the project in your email: ¿iMUGS2 - Interoperability application¿ and please also precise your nationality. 

Application deadline: 30 August 2026. 

After the application procedure, an initial shortlist of candidates will be selected. Those candidates will be invited for an online interview. The date and time of the interview will be communicated to the preselected candidates. 

WORKPLACE 

Royal Military Academy, Avenue de la Renaissance 30, 1000 Brussels. Occasional travels abroad for scientific conferences, demonstrations, field trials, etc. 

CONTACTS 

• Questions concerning the job content: to Dr. Evandro BERNARDES (evandro.bernardes@mil.be), (with Dr. Emile LE FLECHER in CC, emile.leflecher@mil.be) 
• Questions concerning the recruitment modalities: ERM-DEAO-STAFF-HRMGT-PATRIMONY@mil.be 
• For more information about The Royal Military Academy: http://www.rma.ac.be 
• For more information about the research cell Robotics & Autonomous Systems, see https://mecatron.rma.ac.be/  

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