Position Opening: Design and Fabrication of Wearable Assistive Robots

UMaine Alert

Posted: April 19, 2024 - 1:32 PM

At approximately 9:24 a.m. on Friday, April 19, a University of Maine graduate student was struck by a university vehicle on Long Road at the University of Maine campus in Orono. The student reports that they are at a local hospital with minor injuries.

Emergency services, including the Orono Fire Department, University Volunteer Ambulance Corps, University of Maine Police Department, Orono Police Department and Penobscot County Sheriff’s Office responded to the scene.

The university vehicle involved in the incident was a Chevrolet Express van. It was being operated by a university employee.

Counseling services and support are available for students, faculty or staff who may have been affected. The Counseling Center can be reached at 207-581-1392 and the Dean of Students Office can be reached at 207-581-1406.

The scene has been cleared and Long Road is now accessible. An investigation is being conducted by the University of Maine Police Department with assistance from the Penobscot County Sheriff’s Office Crash Reconstruction Unit. Any witnesses to the incident are encouraged to contact Lt. Noel Santiago at noel.santiago@maine.edu.

Dr. Babak Hejrati is seeking two Ph.D. students to perform research in the exciting and rapidly growing area of wearable robotics and robot-assisted gait rehabilitation. The successful candidates will work on designing, fabricating, and controlling wearable robotics devices that can assist individuals with lower and upper extremities impairments. Such robotic devices can also be used to enhance human performance through power augmentation (e.g., wearable exoskeleton) and training (e.g., virtual reality and simulators). One project involves developing a fully portable upper-extremity exoskeleton that will assist users with daily activities. The other project is concerned with creating an intelligent biofeedback system to enable home- and community-based gait training. Both projects require great hands-on skills to conduct experiments, collect and analyze data, and interpret the results.

Required qualifications:

Excellent hands-on skills and ability to conduct experiments
Solid background in mechanical design using CAD software such as SolidWorks, fabrication, and control
Strong programming skills in Matlab and C/C++
Background in mechatronic systems and programming microcontrollers
Proficient oral and written communication skills in English
Hardworking, independent, and self-motivated

To apply, contact Dr. Hejrati (babak.hejrati@maine.edu) with a single pdf file including:

Cover letter describing background, experience, and motivation
CV and sample publications
Transcripts of the applicant’s bachelor and/or master studies.