AI Control Engineer at the Donders Centre for Cognition

Employment 1.0 FTE

Required background Research University Degree, University of Applied Sciences Degree

Organizational unit Faculty of Social Sciences

Application deadline 03 April 2026

Join our AI Innovation Centre and help shape next-generation semiconductor manufacturing. As an AI engineer, you will turn cutting-edge algorithms into real-world impact in robotics and advanced process control.

The Donders Centre for Cognition is looking for an AI engineer to strengthen its team at the AI Innovation Centre for Semiconductor Manufacturing. The ICAI lab is a collaboration between global semiconductor manufacturing company ASMPT and the Artificial Cognitive Systems lab at the Department of Machine Learning and Neural Computing of the Donders Institute, Radboud University, headed by Prof. Marcel van Gerven.

You will translate advanced AI algorithms focusing on closed-loop sensing-based control for high-tech industrial applications. Of particular interest is the development of feedback controllers formulated as recurrent neural networks or neural differential equations as well as developing model predictive control methods. Application domains are setpoint, endpoint and trajectory control with applications in robotics and process control.

Does this sound like you?

• You have a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in AI, robotics, computer science, electrical engineering or comparable.
• You have strong machine learning and programming skills with a background in control theory, deep reinforcement learning and/or deep learning.
• You are a team player with strong communication skills.
• Experience with software-hardware co-development is desirable.
• Applicants with a stronger focus on hardware development (FPGA) will also be considered.

What we offer you

• We will give you a temporary employment contract of 11 months.
• Your salary within salary scale 11 (with a maximum of salary scale 11.3 ) depends on your previous education and number of years of (relevant) work experience.
• You will receive an 8% holiday allowance and an 8,3% end-of-year bonus.
• You will receive extra days off. With full-time employment, you can choose between 30 or 41 days of annual leave instead of the statutory 20.

Additional employment conditions

Work and science require good employment practices. Radboud University’s primary and secondary employment conditions reflect this. You can make arrangements for the best possible work-life balance with flexible working hours, various leave arrangements and working from home. You are also able to compose part of your employment conditions yourself. For example, exchange income for extra leave days and receive a reimbursement for your sports membership. In addition, you receive a 34% discount on the sports and cultural activities at Radboud University as an employee. And, of course, we offer a good pension plan. We also give you plenty of room and responsibility to develop your talents and realise your ambitions. Therefore, we provide various training and development schemes.

Where you will be working

You will be part of the Artificial Cognitive Systems group led by Prof. van Gerven. The group is part of the Department of Machine Learning and Neural Computing at the Donders Centre for Cognition (DCC). DCC is one of the centres of the Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, a world-class interfaculty research centre that houses more than 700 researchers devoted to understanding the mechanistic underpinnings of the human mind. Excellent, state-of-the-art research facilities are available for the broad range of neuroscience research that is being conducted at the Donders Institute. The Donders Institute has been assessed by an international evaluation committee as ’excellent’ and recognised as a ’very stimulating environment for top researchers, as well as for young talent’. The Donders Institute fosters a collaborative, multidisciplinary and supportive research environment with a diverse international staff. English is the lingua franca at the Institute. You will also be hosted (about one day a week) at ASMPT, a leading semiconductor manufacturing company.

Faculty of Social Sciences
At the Faculty of Social Sciences , humanity and society are our focus; we study how people behave, think and feel. Within this context, we look at themes such as human behaviour and the human psyche, education and upbringing, communication, society and culture. The faculty provides education to 6,000 students and employs 700 staff. Education is organised into six programme clusters: Psychology; Artificial Intelligence; Pedagogical Sciences and Educational Sciences; Communication Science; Sociology; and Cultural Anthropology and Developmental Sociology, and the Radboud Centre Social Sciences as an institute for post-master education have been merged into the Social Sciences Education Institute. Our research is carried out within three research institutes: the Donders Centre for Cognition, the Behavioural Science Institute, and Radboud Social Cultural Research.

Radboud University
At Radboud University, we aim to make an impact through our work. We achieve this by conducting groundbreaking research, providing high-quality education, offering excellent support, and fostering collaborations within and outside the university. In doing so, we contribute indispensably to a healthy, free world with equal opportunities for all. To accomplish this, we need even more colleagues who, based on their expertise, are willing to search for answers. We advocate for an inclusive community and welcome employees with diverse backgrounds, cultures, and perspectives.

If you want to learn more about working at Radboud University, follow our and read stories from our colleagues.

Is this the job for you?

You can apply only via the button below. Address your letter of application to Prof. Marcel van Gerven. In the application form, you will find which documents you need to include with your application. We look forward to receiving your application.

The first interviews will take place on April 8th. You will preferably start your employment on 1 May 2026.

We can imagine you’re curious about our  application procedure . It describes what you can expect during the application procedure and how we handle your personal data and internal and external candidates. If you wish to apply for a non-scientific position with a non-EU nationality, please take notice of the following information .

Do you already work at Radboud University and have questions about making an internal move? Learn more about internal applications .

Application deadline 03 April 2026

We would like to recruit our new colleague ourselves. Acquisition in response to this vacancy will not be appreciated.

Want to know more about this position?

Prof. M.A.J. van Gerven (Marcel)

marcel.vangerven [at] donders.ru.nl

Last modified: 18 March 2026