Open position: Postdoctoral Researcher at L2S, Paris-Saclay
Project title: HERMIN – software development and experiment design for shared control in neuroprostheses
Keywords: robotics; control; neuroscience; brain-machine interface; interactive robotics
Abstract: The ANR project HERMIN (Haptic Exploration and Reflex Motor control In a Neuroprosthesis) aims to develop and explore adaptive shared-control strategies in a bidirectional neuroprosthesis with direct sensory feedback from the prosthesis to the cerebral cortex. We are looking for a candidate to contribute to the implementation and the evaluation of shared control strategies in a bidirectional neuroprosthesis, with a possible extension to the more general collaborative robotics case.
Project description: In prosthetics, the use of autonomous routines in the control of a robotic limb can alleviate the mental load in complex tasks execution, but should not hinder voluntary control. The HERMIN project, a collaboration between the Laboratory of Signals and Systems (L2S), the Institute of Neuroscience Paris-Saclay (NeuroPsi CNRS) and ESME Sudria (School of Engineering), aims to pioneer the development and exploration of an adaptive shared-control strategy within a bidirectional neuroprosthesis, integrating direct sensory feedback from the prosthesis to the cerebral cortex (Abbasi et al. 2019, Goueytes et al. 2022, Ferrand et al. 2025). This innovative approach involves a shared-control algorithm supervising the fusion of voluntary control inferred from the neuronal activity through an invasive Brain-Machine Interface (BMI) with autonomous motor routines facilitating safety-related reflexes, haptic exploration for active sensing, and obstacle avoidance. We hypothesize that the integration of shared control and direct sensory feedback will enhance the usability and embodiment of the prosthesis. To evaluate our proposals, all algorithms will be tested on a mouse neuroprosthesis and in a human-scale collaborative robot. This project involves interdisciplinary collaboration at the intersection of robotics, automatic control, and neuroscience.
Job description: The succcessful candidate will contribute to the practical control implementation, enhancement and experimental evaluation of the currently designed shared control strategies based on differential games (Vallette et al. 2026), in collaboration with the current project team composed of researchers and PhD students. The mission involves porting of the algorithms to the real-time BMI software system as well as robotic experiments at CentraleSupélec/L2S on a human-scale collaborative robot.
Qualifications:
– Ph.D. in a relevant field such as robotics or control engineering;
– Strong background in robotics and/or automatic control;
– Proficiency in programming languages such as C++, Matlab/Simulink, Python;
– Taste for experimental research;
– Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English;
– Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively in a multidisciplinary team environment.
Application Process:
– Interested candidates should submit a CV and a cover letter outlining their research interests and relevant experience. Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled.
– For further inquiries about the position or the project, please contact maria.makarov@centralesupelec.fr
Supervisors: Maria Makarov (L2S)
Duration: 24 months, starting date: as soon as possible Location: L2S, 3 rue Joliot Curie, 91192 Gif-sur-Yvette, France
References:
Abbasi, A., Goueytes, D., Shulz, D. E., Ego-Stengel, V., & Estebanez, L. (2018). A fast intracortical brain–machine interface with patterned optogenetic feedback. Journal of neural engineering, 15(4), 046011
Ferrand, E., Hayatou, Z., Shulz, D. E., Makarov, M., Ego-Stengel, V., & Estebanez, L. (2025). Cortical control of a forelimb prosthesis in mice. bioRxiv, 2025-09.
Goueytes, D., Lassagne, H., Shulz, D. E., Ego-Stengel, V., & Estebanez, L. (2022). Learning in a closed-loop brain-machine interface with distributed optogenetic cortical feedback. Journal of Neural Engineering, 19(6), 066045
Vallette, R., Makarov, M., Chaillet, A., & Estebanez, L. (2026). A Noncooperative Priority-Aware Differential Game for Task-Blind Shared Control. IFAC World Congress 2026, accepted.
