Department of Mechanical Engineering
Summary
The Bristol Robotics Laboratory (BRL) (a partnership between the University of Bristol and the University of West England (UWE)), is seeking to fill a 3 year doctoral fellowship in rehabilitation robotics. The researcher will work in the area of biorobotics and adaptive control with the focus on rehabilitation of hand motor function after neurological damage.
Project Scope
Robotic devices designed to support the reacquisition of motor control for the upper extremities have received significant attention in recent years. In their current state, however, existing devices tend to be too bulky to be used outside the Occupational or Physiotherapy department or clinic, cannot fully synergize muscle learning with powered assist, have trouble adjusting to changing patient capacity in real-time, and need to support neural rehabilitation as a part of activities of daily living.
The Bristol Robotics Laboratory, as a part of ongoing efforts aimed at surmounting these issues, is sponsoring a three-year doctoral research fellowship in upper limb rehabilitation robotics. The project will explore issues related to robotic rehabilitation for hand motor (grasping) function in patients suffering from neurological disorders. Topics to be explored include: biomechanical robot design, compliant (muscle-like) actuation for robotic rehabilitation mechanisms, adaptive control architectures to adjust to patient learning, and robot autonomy for use outside of controlled (hospital/therapist) environs.
Applicant Requirements
The recipient of the fellowship will complete a doctorate within the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Bristol, with support from the Faculty of Health and Life Sciences in University of the West of England. The ideal candidate will meet all entrance requirements for the doctoral program in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Bristol and have a background in mechanical design and control systems (mechatronics). The candidate should also have a strong interest in robotics and bioengineering. Preference will be given to applicants with some experience or exposure to biologically inspired robotics and/or physiotherapy/neural rehabilitation. Opportunities for continued postdoctoral research at the Bristol Robotics Laboratory also exist at the close of the appointment period.
Position Terms
This is a fixed term post available for 3 years. The position includes bursary of approximately £12,000 per annum plus all tuition fees. The position start date is expected to be Oct 2008. All research in the program will be carried out at the Bristol Robotics Laboratory, located in the Frenchay Business Park, Bristol, UK. General information about the hosting laboratory can be found at: http://www.brl.ac.uk.
Application Procedures
Applications will be processed by the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Bristol. Relevant application materials for doctoral students may be found on the department website. Interested applicants, however, are very strongly urged to initiate informal inquiries prior to submitting a departmental application.
Informal Inquiries
Candidates are highly encouraged to initiate informal discussions in relation to the posting. Please contact: Ravi Vaidyanathan, Lecturer in Biodynamics, Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Bristol, E-mail: R.Vaidyanathan@bristol.ac.uk, Phone: +44 (0) 117 331 8266
Institution
The University of Bristol ranks among the top 10 research-led universities in the UK and is committed to fostering innovative collaborative research. The Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Bristol is recognized by academic peers, by students, and by employers, as one of the foremost centres of mechanical engineering education and research in the UK. It has one of the most active and extensive research profiles in the University and maintains status as one of the top-ranking mechanical engineering departments in the UK, achieving a grade 5A in the last nationwide Research Assessment Exercise (RAE). The Bristol Robotics Laboratory (BRL) is a newly established robotics research facility (currently the largest in the UK), created from a partnership between the University of Bristol and the University of the West of England. BRL has brought together a wide spectrum of expertise making the new laboratory a leading centre for multi-disciplinary robotics research in the UK, including neuroscience, psychology, material science, microbiology as well as computer science and engineering.
The closing date for applications is 10th June 2008.
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