Call for two PhD positions in Motion Planning, Active Learning, and Autonomy (MPALA) Lab at Colorado School of Mines
==== Links and Deadlines ====
Lab join webpage: http://www.georgekontoudis.com/join/
Mechanical Engineering webpage: https://mechanical.mines.edu/
Robotics webpage: https://robotics.mines.edu/
Application deadline for both programs: Dec 15, 2023
Minimum admission requirements (Mines): https://www.mines.edu/graduate-admissions/admissions-requirements/
==== Overview of Open Positions ====
We are currently looking for two PhD students to join the MPALA Lab. Both positions will start in Fall 2024 and they are fully funded (tuition and monthly stipend included). If you are interested, send us an email at george.kontoudis@mines.edu prior submitting your application (see Join webpage for instructions on the top) or include Dr. Kontoudis' name as your potential supervisor in your statement of purpose.
Topic 1: Multi-robot active learning and motion planning
Basic requirements
- Self-motivated students with passion for robotics and machine learning
- Bachelor's degree in robotics, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, computer science, or related field
- Coding experience in MATLAB and Python
- Relevant coursework in linear algebra and probability theory
- Good writing and speaking skills in English
Desired skills
- Master's degree in robotics, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, computer science, or related field
- Coding experience in C/C++ and Julia
- Hardware experience with real-life robotic systems using ROS
- Relevant coursework in robotics and/or machine learning
- Experience in paper writing
Topic 2: Bi-manual manipulation with adaptive robot hands
Basic requirements
- Self-motivated students with passion for robotics and mechatronics
- Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering, robotics, electrical engineering, computer science, or related field
- Coding experience in MATLAB
- Design experience in Solidworks
- Relevant coursework in mechanical design and control systems
- Good writing and speaking skills in English
Desired skills
- Master's degree in mechanical engineering, robotics, electrical engineering, computer science, or related field
- Experience in fast prototyping techniques such as 3D printing and/or laser cutting
- Hardware experience with real-life robotic systems using ROS
- Relevant coursework in robotics and/or mechatronics
- Experience in paper writing
==== Lab Diversity Statement ====
We are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive environment for the MPALA Lab. We recognize that minorities and under-represented groups, including women, people of color, LGBTQ+, immigrants, and native Americans have been historically marginalized and overlooked. We firmly believe that some of the most important breakthrough discoveries and impactful contributions in research originate from diverse groups with out-of-the-box thinking.
To this end, we are committed to:
- Create and maintain a diverse group of people by welcoming individuals regardless of country of origin, gender, sexual orientation, class, race, cultural background, and disabilities
- Strive to secure funding for all our students and researchers
- Mentor and promote educational resources to all our lab members
- Help students develop their self-confidence and at the same time convey that the lab is a place of mutual respect
- Educate all group members about cultural norms to create a respectful environment
==== About Mines and Golden, CO ====
Colorado School of Mines, Colorado's premier and oldest engineering university, and an R1 institution, is located in Golden, Colorado. Mines is consistently ranked among the top engineering colleges in the United States and ranks number one as the best public school in the state of Colorado for best value colleges. Mines has about 5,800 undergraduate students and 1,700 graduate students in a broad range of applied science and engineering disciplines. Mines maintains high-quality, well-funded research program (~$88M in awards in 2023) with strong participation from both graduate and undergraduate students. The 2023 edition of U.S. News and World Report’s America’s Best National Universities ranks Mines as the top-ranked university in Colorado.
Mines is located in the heart of Golden, Colorado: a historic gold rush-era town nestled in the foothills of the Rockies, 13 miles west of Denver and 21 miles south of Boulder. The campus location offers a small-town ambiance with close proximity to all that the Denver metropolitan area has to offer. An average of 300 days of sunshine per year make the area an ideal place to live and work. The area provides access to fantastic places for hiking, skiing, cycling, and climbing.
