Student Research Assistant (HiWi) – ecoBay Project
We are looking for a motivated and technically skilled student research assistant (Hilfskraft, HiWi) to support our work in the ecoBay project at the Chair of Information-Oriented Control (ITR), TU Munich.
About the Project:
ecoBay is a newly launched research project (January 2026 – February 2031), funded by the Bavarian State Ministry of Education, Science and the Arts as part of the BayKlif2 climate research network. The project combines AI-driven autonomous robotics with genetic biodiversity monitoring to detect early signs of ecological change in Bavarian lakes. An autonomous surface vehicle (USV) collects environmental DNA/RNA (eDNA/eRNA) samples and continuous physico-chemical measurements across lakes such as Ammersee and Großer Ostersee. AI-based adaptive mission planning ensures that the most informative locations are sampled at the right time. The project is carried out in close collaboration with TUM Global Change Limnology, LMU Palaeontology & Geobiology, and MIRMI.
Your Tasks:
- Support the development and testing of software modules for autonomous mission planning and control of the uncrewed surface vehicle (USV)
- Assist with the integration and evaluation of sensor data pipelines (e.g., water quality sensors, GPS, cameras)
- Contribute to simulation and real-world experiments at outdoor test sites (lakes in the greater Munich area)
- Help with data collection, processing, and documentation
Your Profile:
- Currently enrolled in a Bachelor's or Master's programme in Engineering, Computer Science, Robotics, Mathematics, or a related field at TUM
- Enthusiasm for robotics, autonomous systems, and/or environmental sensing
- Experience with programming languages such as Python, C++, or MATLAB
- Knowledge of ROS (Robot Operating System) is a plus
- Prior experience with autonomous vehicles, embedded systems, or field robotics is welcome but not required
- Independent, reliable, and motivated work style
We Offer:
- Remuneration according to TUM student assistant rates
- Active participation in a cutting-edge interdisciplinary research project at the interface of robotics, AI, and environmental science
- Collaboration with a dynamic and international team at MIRMI and ITR
- Hands-on fieldwork at lakes in Bavaria
- Flexible working hours compatible with your study schedule
- Possibility to develop your involvement into a Bachelor's or Master's thesis
Application:
Please send your application – including a brief motivation letter, your CV, a current transcript of records, your planned start date, and your expected availability (hours per week) – to:
Dr.-Ing. Stefan Sosnowski Chair of Information-Oriented Control (ITR) TU Munich Barer Straße 21, 80333 München sosnowski@tum.de
Please send all documents collected in a single PDF file.
UUVsim
UUVsim is a simulation tool extending the functionality of Gazebo in ROS to underwater scenarios. For this work, a simulation environment for a UUV should be set up (i.e. BlueROV2 Heavy) , evaluated and compared against competing software UWsim . Furthermore, experimental data is also to be gathered to assess the simulator's fidelity in simulating not only the environment and vehicle dynamics but a range of sensors that are to be employed in maritime environment. Experience with ROS and Gazebo is desireable. Contact: [Petar Bevanda]