Post Doctoral Associate

University of Miami; McArthur Township (OH); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Miami seeks a Post Doctoral Associate to conduct cutting‑edge robotics research under senior staff. You will develop AI-powered robotic systems, contribute to publications, and help establish new interdisciplinary initiatives in the ECE Department and College of Engineering.

You will collaborate with the Miller School of Medicine and external partners, mentor students, and assist with grant proposals while advancing state‑of‑the‑art robotics research at UM.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Electrical and Computer Engineering, Robotics, Mechanical Engineering, or related field.
• Extensive experience in robotics system design, real-time control, and embedded systems integration.
• Proven track record of peer‑reviewed publications and interdisciplinary collaboration.
• Strong programming skills (Python, C++, MATLAB) and experience with TensorFlow, ROS, Gazebo, OpenCV.
• Experience with grant writing, mentoring students and collaborative academic or industry research.

Responsibilities

• Support the PI in launching interdisciplinary robotics research and educational initiatives.
• Lead and contribute to research involving AI-powered robotic systems, including deep reinforcement learning, computer vision, and human-robot interaction.
• Facilitate collaborations across departments within the College of Engineering and with the Miller School of Medicine.
• Assist with setting up the PI’s new research lab, including hardware/software integration and safety protocols.
• Support preparation and submission of competitive grant proposals to federal agencies (NSF, NIH).
• Mentor graduate and undergraduate researchers in robotics, mechatronics, and ML.
• Design and conduct experiments with robotic platforms (dual-arm manipulators, mobile robots, exoskeletons).
• Present research at conferences and co-author publications in robotics/AI venues.

Skills

Learning agility

Teamwork

Technical proficiency

Communication

Python

C++

MATLAB

Adaptability

Education

Doctorate degree Medicine (MD)

Ph.D. in Electrical and Computer Engineering

Tools

TensorFlow

ROS

Gazebo

OpenCV

Kinova robotic arms

UAVs

Real-time operating systems

Job description

The Post Doctoral Associate performs scientific research and studies under the supervision of managing staff. Moreover, the Post Doctoral Associate promotes institutional recognition through literal contributions to the scientific community.

CORE JOB FUNCTIONS

• Conducts research on specific areas of study as assigned.
• Prepares research reports and technical papers for publishing.
• Investigates the feasibility of applying a wide variety of scientific principles and theories.
• Maintains substantial knowledge of state-of-the-art principles and theories.
• Develops advanced analytical models and systems and provides solutions and analyses to support strategic and tactical decisions.
• Adheres to University and unit-level policies and procedures and safeguards University assets.

This list of duties and responsibilities is not intended to be all-inclusive and may be expanded to include other duties or responsibilities as necessary.

CORE QUALIFICATIONS

• Education: Doctorate degree Medicine (MD) required.
• Experience: No previous experience required.
• Certification and Licensing: Refer to department description for applicable certification requirements.
• Learning Agility: Ability to learn new procedures, technologies, and protocols, and adapt to changing priorities and work demands.
• Teamwork: Ability to work collaboratively with others and contribute to a team environment.
• Technical Proficiency: Skilled in using office software, technology, and relevant computer applications.
• Communication: Strong and clear written and verbal communication skills for interacting with colleagues and stakeholders.

DEPARTMENT SPECIFIC FUNCTIONS

Support the PI in launching new interdisciplinary robotics research and educational initiatives in the ECE Department and across the College of Engineering, including foundational program design and curriculum integration.

Lead and contribute to research involving AI-powered and AI-enabled robotic systems, including deep reinforcement learning, computer vision, and human-robot interaction.

Facilitate strategic collaborations across departments within the College of Engineering and with the UM Miller School of Medicine, particularly in the area of medical robotics for surgical and assistive applications.

Assist with setting up the PI’s new research lab, including hardware/software integration, experimental platforms, and safety protocols.

Support preparation and submission of competitive grant proposals to federal funding agencies (e.g., NSF, NIH).

Mentor and help recruit and train graduate students and undergraduate researchers in robotics, mechatronics, and machine learning.

Design and conduct experimental studies involving robotic platforms such as dual-arm manipulators, mobile robots, and wearable/exoskeleton robotic systems.

Present research at national and international conferences and co-author peer-reviewed publications in leading robotics and AI venues.

DEPARTMENT SPECIFIC QUALIFICATIONS

• Education: Ph.D. in Electrical and Computer Engineering, Robotics, Mechanical Engineering, or a closely related Engineering field.
• Certification and Licensing: Not applicable.
• Experience: Extensive experience in robotics system design, real-time control, and embedded systems integration.
• Demonstrated expertise in artificial intelligence, including reinforcement learning, computer vision, and deep neural networks applied to robotics.
• Track record of peer-reviewed publications and active participation in interdisciplinary research projects.
• Experience with grant writing, mentoring students, and collaborative academic or industry research is preferred.
• Strong programming skills (Python, C++, MATLAB) and experience with software tools such as TensorFlow, ROS, Gazebo, and OpenCV.
• Familiarity with robotic hardware platforms (e.g., Kinova robotic arms, UAVs, mobile robots) and real-time operating systems.
• Excellent communication skills and ability to work in cross-functional and interdisciplinary teams.
• Demonstrated initiative, creativity, and problem-solving ability in research and development environments.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

The University of Miami is an Equal Opportunity Employer - Females/Minorities/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities are encouraged to apply. Applicants and employees are protected from discrimination based on certain categories protected by Federal law.

Job Status: Full time Employee Type: Staff Pay Grade: A9

The mission of the University of Miami is to transform lives through education, research, innovation, and service. A vibrant and diverse academic and healthcare community, the University of Miami and the University of Miami Health System ("UHealth") have rapidly progressed to become one of the nation’s top research universities and academic medical centers in the nation.

The University comprises 12 schools and colleges serving undergraduate and graduate students in more than 350 majors and programs. Visit welcome.miami.edu/about-um to learn more about our points of pride.

The University ranks No. 55 on U.S. News & World Report’s 2022 Best Colleges list and ranked No. 49 in the 2022 Wall Street Journal/Times Higher Education College Rankings.

Bascom Palmer Eye Institute is ranked the #1 eye hospital in the USA and offers some of the nation's premiere eye doctors to treat every eye condition for adults. Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer, part of the Miller School of Medicine, received the prestigious National Cancer Institute designation in 2019.

The University of Miami and UHealth have also ranked among the Forbes Best Employers and Best Employers for Women on several occasions, most recently in 2022. With more than 17,000 faculty and staff, the University strives for excellence, and is driven by a powerful mission to transform and impact the lives of its students, patients, members of the community, and people across the globe.

The University of Miami is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Applicants and employees are protected from discrimination based on certain categories protected by Federal law.