Research Associate / Postdoctoral Associate - Applied Interactive Multimedia Lab - Abu Dhabi, UAE

New York University; Al Ruways Industrial City; On-site; AED 156,240 - 245,520; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Housing support

Education support

Job summary

New York University Abu Dhabi is looking for a Research Associate to focus on developing soft haptic actuators and control systems. You will be part of an innovative team working on advanced brain-machine interactions and rehabilitation technologies.

The ideal candidate will hold a PhD or have relevant industry experience and will be skilled in haptic technologies. You will have access to state-of-the-art facilities and competitive benefits.

Qualifications

• PhD degree in relevant engineering field or 3-5 years of industry experience.
• Strong background in haptic technologies and interactive systems.
• Extensive experience with laboratory research and prototyping.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design and development of soft haptic actuators and interactive systems.
• Conduct hands-on laboratory work including rapid prototyping.
• Document research outcomes through reports and publications.

Skills

Haptic systems and actuator design

Control systems and algorithms

Soft robotics and wearable technologies

Rapid prototyping and lab experimentation

Research documentation and validation

Education

PhD degree in Electrical Engineering or related field

Job description

Position Overview

New York University Abu Dhabi is seeking a Research Associate or Postdoctoral Associate to join the Applied Interactive Multimedia Laboratory within the Division of Engineering. This role focuses on the design, development, and validation of next‑generation soft haptic actuators, control systems, and algorithms, supporting advanced research in brain‑machine interaction, wearable haptics, rehabilitation, digital twins, and soft robotics.

Job Details

• Country: UAE
• City: Abu Dhabi
• Industry: Higher Education
• Function: Research
• Salary: 14,000–22,000 AED per month
• Gender: Any
• Candidate Nationality: Any
• Job Type: Full‑time

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design and development of soft haptic actuators and interactive systems.
• Develop and validate control systems and algorithms for haptic and soft robotic applications.
• Conduct hands‑on laboratory work, including rapid prototyping and experimental validation.
• Collaborate closely with material science researchers and cross‑disciplinary teams.
• Contribute to digital twin development and robot‑assisted simulation platforms.
• Document research outcomes through reports, publications, and technical documentation.
• Support ongoing research initiatives in wearable haptics, rehabilitation, and human‑machine interaction.

Ideal Profile

• PhD degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Material Engineering, or a related field, or 3 to 5 years of relevant industry research and development experience.
• Strong background in haptic technologies and interactive systems.
• Extensive experience with laboratory‑based research, prototyping, and proof‑of‑concept development.
• Strong analytical, critical thinking, and problem‑solving skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively within multidisciplinary research teams.
• Proficiency in English with strong written and verbal communication skills.

Skills Set

• Haptic systems and actuator design
• Control systems and algorithms
• Soft robotics and wearable technologies
• Rapid prototyping and lab experimentation
• Research documentation and validation

Why Join Us

• Work at a globally recognized research university with strong engineering and innovation focus.
• Access state‑of‑the‑art laboratories and interdisciplinary research facilities.
• Competitive salary with comprehensive benefits including housing and education support.
• Opportunity to contribute to impactful research addressing healthcare, rehabilitation, and human‑machine interaction.

About the Company

New York University Abu Dhabi is a leading international research university and part of NYU's global network. Located in Abu Dhabi, NYUAD combines academic excellence with world‑class research across engineering, science, and the arts, fostering innovation through global collaboration and multidisciplinary scholarship.