Your Opportunity to Join ROBO-KNOT
First call for secondments
We invite researchers and R&I support staff from AUTH, JSI and ULUS to apply for funded secondment opportunities across Europe. Take part in a cross-border mobility programme designed to strengthen robotics research, skills development, and knowledge transfer.
About the call
ROBO-KNOT (ROBOtics KNOwledge Transfer Lab) launches its first open call for funded international secondments. The call is open to researchers and R&I staff from
- Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (AUTH),
- Jožef Stefan Institute (JSI) and
- Lusófona University (ULUS),
offering cross-border mobility to leading robotics companies, technology centres and innovation parks in Europe.
Secondments are designed to build skills, strengthen inter-sectoral cooperation and support innovation ecosystems in the Horizon Europe widening countries.
Who can apply?
Researchers
Employed or enrolled at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (AUTH), Jožef Stefan Institute (JSI) or Lusófona University (ULUS).
All career stages (R1–R4) are eligible, with a focus on R1 (doctoral candidates) and R2 (recognised researchers).
Background in robotics or closely related fields:
- Mechanical Engineering (Robotic Design and Prototyping, Kinematics and Dynamics).
- Electrical and Electronics Engineering (Sensors and Actuators, Power Systems).
- Computer Science, Software Engineering (AI/ML, Embedded Robotic Control Systems, Computer Vision).
- Mathematics and Theoretical Foundations (Robotic Motion Planning, Optimization, Control Theory).
- Human-Robot Interaction (User Interface Design, Ergonomics, Ethics and Social Implications).
- Autonomous Systems (Autonomous Systems, Multi-Robot Systems, Robotic Simulation and Testing).
- Robotics Applications and Integration (Industrial Robotics, Agriculture Robotics, Mobile Robotics).
- Cybersecurity (Secure Robotic Systems, Privacy).
Research & Innovation Staff
Administrative, technical or managerial staff employed at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (AUTH), Jožef Stefan Institute (JSI) or Lusófona University (ULUS).
Roles that support research & innovation, such as:
- Knowledge valorisation & tech transfer.
- Entrepreneurship / incubators / accelerators.
- Business development & innovation management.
- Academia–industry liaison & collaboration research facilitation.
- Research policy, IP and legal affairs.
- Project management & funding acquisition.
Common requirements
- English level ≥ B2 (CEFR).
- Written approval for participation from line manager / supervisor.
- Ability to undertake a cross-border secondment between independent organisations (travel, stay abroad, procure European Health Insurance Card).
- Willingness to prepare a Personal Career Development Plan (and, where relevant, a Return Plan).
We encourage you to apply even if you don’t meet every single requirement. ROBO-KNOT values transferable skills and a passion for the role.
What we offer
Funded international secondments
- Researchers: 3–5 months, splittable into stays of ≥6 weeks at the same host.
- R&I support staff: 1–2 months, splittable into up to 4 stays
What costs are covered
- ROBO-KNOT provides up to €1,500 per secondment month for travel and subsistence costs for secondees from the project budget plus a monthly allowance. The exact scheme (per-diem, monthly allowance, reimbursement rules, advances, etc.) follows each institution’s internal procedures and will be communicated in writing to selected candidates before they confirm their secondment.
- Secondees must be able to obtain a European Health Insurance Card and travel insurance.
Available positions
Each circle represents a university whose researchers/employees are eligible to apply for this job posting.
Positions for researchers
Parque do Alentejo de Ciência e Tecnologia (PACT) – Évora, Portugal
Parque do Alentejo de Ciência e Tecnologia (PACT) – Évora, Portugal
Parque do Alentejo de Ciência e Tecnologia (PACT) – Évora, Portugal
Parque do Alentejo de Ciência e Tecnologia (PACT) – Évora, Portugal
OZZIE Robotics – Thessaloniki, Greece
OZZIE Robotics – Thessaloniki, Greece
OZZIE Robotics – Thessaloniki, Greece
Robotnik Automation – Valencia, Spain
Robotnik Automation – Valencia, Spain
Robotnik Automation – Valencia, Spain
Robotnik Automation – Valencia, Spain
Automotive Technology Centre of Galicia (CTAG) РPorri̱o, Spain
Tartu Science Park (TSP) – Tartu, Estonia
Tartu Science Park (TSP) – Tartu, Estonia
Positions for research & innovation support staff
Tallinn University of Technology (TalTech) AIRE – Tallinn, Estonia
Available spots: 2
Available spots: 2
Parque do Alentejo de Ciência e Tecnologia (PACT) – Évora, Portugal
Parque do Alentejo de Ciência e Tecnologia (PACT) – Évora, Portugal
Tartu Science Park (TSP) – Tartu, Estonia
Tartu Science Park (TSP) – Tartu, Estonia
How to apply
1
Choose a position
Review the job postings above and decide which host(s) and position(s) best fit your profile and interests.
2
Prepare your documents
- Complete the right application form:Â
– Researchers
– R&I Support Staff - CV (preferably Europass), max 3 pages.
- Proof of English proficiency (level B2 and above)
- Motivation letter (max 500 words).
- Written approval / Endorsement letter for participation from line manager / supervisor.
- Any relevant certificates.
3
Send your application by email
- To: applications@roboknot.eu
- Subject line: ROBO-KNOT Application – [Applicant Name] – [Researcher / R&I Staff]
- Attach the Application Form + required annexes (CV, motivation letter, etc.). These must be in the form of a single .pdf file of size ≤ 10 MB with merged Application Form and all the required documents from step 2
- Deadline: 31 January 2026 (23:59 CET).
While expecting follow-up information from us, please also check your spam or junk folder, in case our email was filtered there.Â
For any questions regarding eligibility, the application process or the open positions, please contact info@roboknot.eu.
Selection process
Applications undergo an eligibility check by the three sending institutions and a merit-based evaluation by a joint Talent Selection Committee (one representative per partner, who does not evaluate candidates from their own institution).
The Committee uses five criteria:
– quality of the motivation expressed and learning objectives they envision for the secondment,
– ranking of hosting organisations according to the applicant’s preference and motivation behind their choice,
– alignment of the candidate’s motivation with the hosting institutions’ mission and activities,
– expected impact of the secondment on the candidate’s employability, and
– proposed knowledge-sharing activities upon return to the sending organisation.
Each application is scored 1–5 per criterion, and only applications with a total score of at least 15 are shortlisted.
Shortlisted candidates may be invited to interviews with potential hosts before final allocation. ROBO-KNOT applies gender equality and diversity principles throughout the selection process, aiming at balanced participation of under-represented groups, including especially women in robotics.
Timeline
Call publication: 19 December 2025
Info session: 15 January 2026, 13:00 CET (more information below)
Application deadline: 31 January 2026 (23:59 CET)
Eligibility check & evaluation (including interviews): 1 February – 1 March 2026
Results publication: 5 March 2026
Personal Development Plan finalisation: by 31 March 2026
Secondments start: from April 2026 onwards (exact start dates agreed individually between secondee, sending institution and host)
Info session
An online info session took place on Thursday, 15 January 2026 at 13:00 CET and covered the following topics:
- A brief presentation of the project.
- The open call requirements.
- A slot for applicants to ask their questions.
You can find the slides presented during the info session here.
Contact form
Get in Touch with Us
Contact the ROBO-KNOT Team
We’d love to hear from you! Whether you have questions about the ROBO-KNOT project, want to learn more about our initiatives, or are interested in collaborating, feel free to reach out. Our team is here to assist you and provide the information you need.