Robotics Research Fellow: Grasping & Manipulation

Johns Hopkins University; Gaithersburg (MD); On-site; USD 88,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Johns Hopkins University in Gaithersburg, MD invites applications for a PREP Research Associate within the NIST PREP program. The role focuses on robotic grasping and manipulation, integrating tactile sensing and multi-finger hands to advance experimental robotics.

The candidate will develop algorithms, benchmark systems, and contribute to reports and publications while working on-site at Johns Hopkins University. Strong Python/C++ skills and ROS/MoveIt experience are essential.

Qualifications

• Strong technical background in robotic manipulation, kinematics, grasp path planning, and bi-manual control strategies.
• Practical experience with multi-finger, high-dexterity robotic hands and end-effectors.
• Knowledge of tactile sensing principles, sensor integration, signal processing, and force-feedback control.
• Experience with computer vision and sensor fusion for 2D/3D grasp pose estimation and graspability analysis.
• Strong programming proficiency in Python and C++.
• Hands-on experience with ROS / ROS 2 and motion planning toolkits (e.g., MoveIt).
• Familiarity with AI/ML frameworks (e.g., PyTorch, TensorFlow) for learning-based grasping and force sensing strategies.
• Experience with robotics simulation platforms and physics engines (e.g., NVIDIA IsaacSim, Gazebo, MuJoCo, Drake).
• Experience with version control tools (Git, GitHub, GitLab, Bitbucket).
• Experience working on Linux/Unix operating systems.
• Working knowledge of CAD software (e.g., SolidWorks, OnShape) for test fixture or end-effector integration.

Responsibilities

• Evaluate and benchmark commercial and custom AI systems (hardware and software) to advance autonomous robotic grasping and manipulation capabilities.
• Research and develop algorithms for grasp path planning and graspability analysis to improve decision-making and autonomy in unstructured environments.
• Integrate tactile sensors into robotic fingertips/end-effectors and develop signal processing, data analysis, and force-control strategies to achieve finger force sensitivity.
• Design and implement control strategies for high-degree-of-freedom, dexterous multi-finger hands and coordinate bi-manual manipulation techniques for dual-arm systems.
• Conduct rig-based and simulation-based experiments to test, evaluate, and benchmark system efficiency, adaptability, and performance in complex manufacturing or assembly environments.
• Write technical reports, contribute to peer-reviewed publications, and deliver weekly presentations to showcase project milestones and research progress.

Skills

Robotic manipulation

Kinematics

Python

C++

ROS/ROS2

MoveIt

Linux

Git

CAD

ML basics

Education

Engineering / CS MS or PhD

Tools

MoveIt

ROS/ROS2

NVIDIA IsaacSim

Gazebo

MuJoCo

Drake

Git

GitHub

GitLab

SolidWorks

OnShape

CAD

Job description

Johns Hopkins University in Gaithersburg, MD invites applications for a PREP Research Associate within the NIST PREP program. The role focuses on robotic grasping and manipulation, integrating tactile sensing and multi-finger hands to advance experimental robotics.

The candidate will develop algorithms, benchmark systems, and contribute to reports and publications while working on-site at Johns Hopkins University. Strong Python/C++ skills and ROS/MoveIt experience are essential.