Humanoid Robotics Ph.D. Position in Forceful Manipulation and Control
The University of West Florida (UWF) and the Florida Institute for Human and Machine Cognition (IHMC) are seeking a highly motivated Ph.D. Candidate to join our team in pioneering high force, high impact controls schemes for humanoid robots as part of UWF’s Intelligent Systems and Robotics program. This is a fully funded position for a student in UWF’s ISR program. This position offers the opportunity to contribute to groundbreaking work in the control of humanoid robots, endowing them with novel skills for exerting large forces on the world around them. We are looking for innovative thinkers who want to change the way humanoid robots interact with the world around them. This includes pioneering techniques for forceful manipulation and interaction using reinforcement learning and/or trajectory optimization.
Accepted students will deploy their research at IHMC’s research facilities and staff, as well as access to a number of different robotic platforms, including the IHMC Alex, Unitree Go2, Boston Dynamics Spot, and Unitree H1-2, Clearpath Husky, and Franka Emika Panda arms, as well as a number of UAV systems.
Required Qualifications:
- Strong programming and algorithm development skills.
- Experience with physical systems (e.g. sensors, localization, perception, control)
- Familiarity with reinforcement learning and trajectory optimization concepts.
- Working knowledge of prior research in robot control and current challenges.
- Bachelor’s degree in engineering/computer science.
Desired Qualifications:
- Master’s degree in relevant field
- Experience with Robot Operation System (ROS2)
- Strong programming skills in Java/C++/Python.
- Strong analytical skills and ability to work on interdisciplinary research domains.
- Familiarity with open source simulators like Isaac Lab.
- Experience implementing reinforcement learning or model based control on hardware.
Competencies:
- High degree of emotional intelligence; social and self-awareness.
- Ability to perform job functions independently and able to solve complex problems without significant assistance, or with limited supervision, and work effectively either on own or as part of a team.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Collaborative mindset with a focus on team success within a tightly coupled, interdisciplinary team.
How to Apply:
If you are interested in this opportunity, please email the following documents to robotjobs@ihmc.org with the subject line “Humanoids PhD Position – YourLastName”:
- Current resume in pdf format. Name your file: “YourLastName_Resume.pdf”.
- Cover letter in pdf format. Name your file: “YourLastName_CoverLetter.pdf”; and
- Download this Pre-Interview Questionnaire.pdf, complete and sign the form (typed signature will not be accepted) and attach it. Name your file: “YourLastName_Questionnaire.pdf
This is for a full-time PhD position, including stipend, in Pensacola, Florida. You must be authorized or able to gain authorization to be a student in the United States.
IHMC is an Equal Opportunity Employer
Why IHMC?
The Institute for Human & Machine Cognition is internationally recognized for leading research in robotics, AI, and human-centered systems. Join us to help shape the future of scalable teaming between humans and intelligent machines
About ISR Program
ISR Ph.D. program brings together the strengths of UWF engineering and computer science programs and the expertise of the world-class research center, IHMC. The program will train the next generation of researchers who will develop technologies combining human and machine elements through hands-on and leading-edge research. This dynamic partnership between UWF and IHMC allows students to tap into the expertise of a world class research center to make their mark in the field.
www.uwf.edu/intelligent-systems-and-robotics
Details of the ISR Ph.D. program including the application procedures can be found at:
About UWF
UWF, established in 1963, is a public university in the State University System of Florida. UWF has more than 70 undergraduate degree programs, 36 graduate and specialist degree programs. UWF is a comprehensive research university without faculties of law or medicine, with the third largest campus area in the State University System.
About IHMC
IHMC is one of the nation’s premier research institutes with multiple university and industry affiliations and more than 100 researchers and staff investigating a broad range of topics related to understanding cognition in both humans and machines. At IHMC, particular emphasis is placed on multidisciplinary approaches to building computational tools to leverage and amplify human’s cognitive, physical and perceptual capabilities.