PhD Research Opportunity: A cutting-edge research position is available at the Ingenuity Labs Research Institute, focusing on expressive robotic behaviors and human-machine interaction.
Designation
PhD Research Position in Robotics and Human-Robot Interaction
Research Details
| Parameter | Description |
|---|---|
| Department | Electrical and Computer Engineering, Ingenuity Labs Research Institute |
| Research Area | Robotics, Human-Robot Interaction, Expressive Robot Behavior |
| Start Date | May 2026 |
| Supervisors | Dr. Matthew Pan, Dr. Amy Wu |
Location
Queen’s University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
Eligibility/Qualifications
- Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in:
- Engineering
- Computer Science
- Robotics
- Mechatronics
- Related disciplines
Preferred Skills
- Robotics control and motion generation
- Human-robot interaction
- Social robotics
- Machine learning for motion modeling
- Real-time systems (Python, C++, ROS/ROS2)
- Experience in movement, performance, or embodied interaction
Research Description
The successful candidate will contribute to designing, implementing, and evaluating expressive behaviors for:
- Humanoid robots
- Manipulator robots
- Artistic collaboration settings
- Performative character interactions
- Emotionally legible movement generation
How to Apply
Candidates must submit the following to Dr. Matthew Pan (matthew.pan@queensu.ca):
- Comprehensive CV
- Brief statement of research interest
- Up to two relevant publications or project summaries
- Official or unofficial transcripts
Application Deadline
February 28, 2026
1. CaRollator Robotic Rollator Research Position
| Position Details | Description |
|---|---|
| Title | PhD Research Position in Biomedical Mechatronics |
| Department | Electrical and Computer Engineering, Ingenuity Labs Research Institute |
| Supervisor | Dr. Matthew Pan, Dr. Amy Wu |
| Research Focus | Intelligent Robotic Rollator for Elderly Mobility Support |
| Key Responsibilities | – Design robotic rollator sensing/control modules |
- Develop gait stability algorithms
- Implement user-adaptive assistance behaviors
- Create perception pipelines for body pose tracking |
| Required Qualifications | – Engineering/Computer Science degree - Background in robotics, machine learning
- Proficiency in Python/C++
- Strong communication skills |
| Start Date | May 2026 |
| Application Deadline | February 27, 2026 |
| Contact | matthew.pan@queensu.ca |
2. AI-Aided Virtual Cell Research Position
| Position Details | Description |
|---|---|
| Title | Research Position in AI and Machine Learning |
| Department | Chemical Engineering |
| Supervisor | Dr. Zhixing Cao |
| Research Focus | AI-Aided Virtual Cell (AIVC) Development |
| Key Responsibilities | – Modeling biochemical reaction networks |
- Designing interpretable ML frameworks
- Accelerating biological discovery
- Analyzing single-cell data |
| Required Qualifications | – Background in mathematics, physics, biology - Computer science/data science expertise
- Multidisciplinary research interest |
| Start Date | Flexible |
| Application Deadline | Not specified |
| Contact | Not provided |
3. Wearable Fall Risk Detection System
| Position Details | Description |
|---|---|
| Title | Research Position in Wearable Measurement Systems |
| Department | Mechanical and Materials Engineering |
| Supervisor | Dr. Amy Wu |
| Research Focus | Fall Risk Detection and Correction Technologies |
| Key Responsibilities | – Design multi-sensor wearable measurement system |
- Outdoor data collection
- Develop balance prediction models
- Design trunk exoskeleton with feedback mechanisms |
| Required Qualifications | – Engineering background - Experience in motion capture/sensor systems
- Programming skills (MATLAB/Python)
- Interest in biomechanical research |
| Start Date | January/May/September 2026 |
| Application Deadline | Not specified |
| Contact | amy.wu@queensu.ca |
4. Health Technology Design Interdisciplinary Research
| Position Details | Description |
|---|---|
| Title | Interdisciplinary Research Position |
| Department | Mechanical and Materials Engineering |
| Supervisors | Dr. Amy Wu, Dr. Sachil Singh |
| Research Focus | Health and Well-being Technology Design |
| Key Responsibilities | – Develop numerical models for thermal interactions |
- Simulate phase-change heat transfer
- Analyze temperature gradients
- Enhance engineering design efficiency |
| Required Qualifications | – Master’s/Bachelor’s in Engineering - Strong background in heat transfer
- Computational fluid dynamics expertise
- Programming skills (MATLAB/Python/C++) |
| Start Date | January/May/September 2026 |
| Application Deadline | Not specified |
| Contact | mahmoud.alzoubi@queensu.ca |
5. Experimental Fluid Dynamics Research
| Position Details | Description |
|---|---|
| Title | MASc/PhD Research Position in Fluid Dynamics |
| Department | Mechanical and Materials Engineering |
| Supervisor | Dr. Barbara da Silva |
| Research Focus | Flow Analysis around Surface-Mounted Bluff Bodies |
| Key Responsibilities | – Experimental fluid dynamics research |
- Computational fluid analysis
- Data visualization
- Biomedical and energy applications |
| Required Qualifications | – Engineering background - Fluid dynamics expertise
- Programming skills
- Strong communication abilities |
| Start Date | Flexible |
| Application Deadline | Not specified |
| Contact | barbara.dasilva@queensu.ca |
Note: All positions welcome applications from equity-seeking groups and prioritize diverse, inclusive research environments.
