Graduate Research Assistant Position in Marine Autonomy


Marine Robot

Graduate Research Assistant Position in Marine Autonomy Available

US Citizenship Required

The Pattern Recognition and Intelligent Machines Engineering (PRIME) Lab at Michigan Tech is seeking applications for a three-year graduate research assistant GRA position in marine autonomy. The project addresses a concern of the broad AI and autonomy communities: as autonomy is pushed into complex and unstructured environments, the vulnerabilities of sensing, processing, and decision-making must be better understood and addressed.

This effort focuses on mitigating autonomous robot system (ARS) vulnerabilities that can be potentially exploited. A comprehensive study of possible disruptions to ARSs will be performed, followed by the development of robust autonomy algorithms that mitigate these disruptions. Analyses will be undertaken to develop a deep understanding of how uncertainty in ARSs affects the autonomy framework: sensors to software. This effort will culminate in novel ARS architectures for executing robust autonomy in military-relevant scenarios.

As part of this GRA position, summer employment may be available with the U.S. Navy. Upon graduation, there is the potential to transition to full-time employment in the U.S. Navy, although this is a potential benefit, not a requirement.

Desired skills include familiarity with computer programming languages such as Python and C, experience with robotics (Robot Operating System) and robot systems, and general research experience, though candidates with a broad range of research skills will be considered and trained.

To apply, please contact Dr. Timothy Havens at thavens@mtu.edu.