Project Scientist with Robotics Expertise

The Biomechatronics Lab within the Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Dept. at the University of California, Los Angeles seeks to hire a Project Scientist with robotics experience to join its research team immediately.

The incumbent will utilize expertise in robotics, mechatronics, coding, and software to assist with tactile-driven robot experiments and the development and testing of shared autonomy human-robot systems having remote human operators endowed with visuotactile feedback. The successful candidate will work closely with project collaborators at Case Western Reserve University, the University of Washington, and Cleveland State University.

The level of appointment will be commensurate with the applicant's qualifications. A Ph.D. degree in Robotics, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering or equivalent degree is required along with hands-on experience with real robot hardware, mechatronics, and hardware/software interfaces.

The position is for one year with the opportunity for renewal, pending available funding and satisfactory performance.

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age or protected veteran status. For the complete University of California nondiscrimination and affirmative action policy, see: UC Nondiscrimination & Affirmative Action Policy.

All applications should be submitted via our online submission web site at https://recruit.apo.ucla.edu/JPF10625

* Ph.D. degree in Robotics, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering or equivalent along with hands-on experience with real robot hardware, mechatronics, and hardware/software interfaces

* Demonstrated ability to manage simultaneously a wide range of active research projects and responsibilities, to adapt to evolving research priorities, to set and achieve goals, and to meet project milestones and deadlines

* Excellent written and oral technical communication skills

* Dedication to detail-oriented documentation and modular design

* Software -- extensive experience with computer languages such as Python and C/C++, proficiency with ROS2, experience with GitHub, and experience with the design of machine learning, perception and/or control algorithms for robots

* Mechatronics -- extensive experience with CAD-based design, circuit design, and prototyping of electromechanical devices

PREFERRED competencies:

* Proficiency in the development of hardware drivers and unit tests for the systematic integration and testing of multi-component hardware systems

* Experience with the development and implementation of real-time, sensory feedback-driven controllers on robot hardware for reach, grasp, and manipulation

* Experience with machine learning and computer vision techniques

* Experience with acquiring and processing multimodal sensor data (computer vision, tactile, proprioceptive)

* Experience with the development and testing of tactile sensor technology

* Experience with hardware and software for wearable devices (e.g., motion capture devices, haptic displays, headsets)

* Experience with human-machine interfaces and shared autonomy systems

• 3 required (contact information only)

Applicants will be asked to name references to complete their application, but the references will not be asked to provide letters unless the analyst requests them

As a University employee, you will be required to comply with all applicable University policies and/or collective bargaining agreements, as may be amended from time to time. Federal, state, or local government directives may impose additional requirements.

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state or federal law.

As a condition of employment, the finalist will be required to disclose if they are subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct, are currently being investigated for misconduct, left a position during an investigation for alleged misconduct, or have filed an appeal with a previous employer.

• "Misconduct" means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, discrimination, dishonesty, or unethical conduct, as defined by the employer.
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