Call for one PhD position in Motion Planning, Active Learning, and Autonomy (MPALA) Lab at Colorado School of Mines
==== Links and Deadlines ====
MPALA Lab: https://www.georgekontoudis.com/lab/
Mechanical Engineering: https://mechanical.mines.edu/
Application: https://applygrad.mines.edu/apply/
Minimum admission requirements: https://gradprograms.mines.edu/admissions-requirements/ (GRE requirement may be waived upon request)
Application deadline: Dec 15, 2024
==== Overview of Open Position ====
We are currently looking for one PhD student to join the MPALA Lab. The position will begin in Fall 2025 and is fully funded, covering both tuition and monthly stipend. If you are interested, please submit your application through this link. In your application, choose the focus area "Robotics and Automation," and list Dr. Kontoudis' name as your preferable supervisor in both the application and your statement of purpose. In case you have any questions about the position, the application process, or would like to request a GRE waiver, please reach out to Dr. Kontoudis after reviewing the Join the MPALA Lab Section on our lab’s webpage.
Topic: Multi-robot 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 control systems, 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
==== Lab Diversity Statement ====
At MPALA Lab we are dedicated to fostering a diverse, inclusive, and equitable environment. 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 support this mission, we commit to:
• Building and maintaining a diverse group of people by welcoming individuals regardless of national origin, sex (including sexual orientation, gender identity, and transgender status), color, race, religion, class, cultural background, age, or disabilities
• Striving to secure funding for all our students and researchers
• Providing mentorship and access to educational resources to all of our lab members
• Helping students develop their self-confidence and at the same time conveying that the lab is a place of mutual respect
• Educating all group members on cultural norms to create a respectful and inclusive 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 6200 undergraduate students and 1800 graduate students in a broad range of applied science and engineering disciplines. Mines maintains high-quality, well-funded research program (~$106M in awards in FY 2024) with strong participation from both graduate and undergraduate students. The 2025 edition of U.S. News and World Report’s America’s Best National Universities ranks Mines as the top-ranked university in Colorado and 36th in the category of Top Public Schools in the US. Mines has the highest admissions standards of any public university in Colorado and among the highest of any public university in the US.
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 makes the area an ideal place to live and work. The area provides access to fantastic places for hiking, skiing, cycling, and climbing.
