Intern - CMU Africa

At Carnegie Mellon University-Africa, faculty members, researchers, and students are advancing Africa’s digital transformation by conducting research in the domains of artificial intelligence and robotics, cybersecurity, sensing and signal processing, smart mobility and energy systems. In addition, they are using their expertise in interdisciplinary research initiatives across the university.

We are seeking an Intern to join the CMU-Africa research ecosystem. The intern will be responsible for the development of software for culturally sensitive social robotics in Africa. This software should enable a Pepper robot to learn body and hand gestures. Hand gestures will include deictic, symbolic, and iconic non-verbal gestures. Body gestures will be restricted to bowing and nodding, i.e., lowering and raising gaze. Learning will be accomplished by observing a human instructor demonstrating the gestures, using an RGB-D depth camera to determine the joint angles, angular velocity, and angular acceleration of human gestures in a skeletal model and mapping these to the robot joints.

Your core responsibilities will include:

• Developing one-shot, few-shot, and reinforcement learning algorithms.

• Developing robot control algorithms that exhibit biological motion velocity and acceleration profiles.

• Producing a requirements definition, module specification, interface design, module design.

• Writing, testing and documenting machine learning software to accomplish learning from demonstration using an RGBD camera.

• Writing, testing and documenting robot control software to emulate culturally sensitive deitic, symbolic and iconic hand and body gestures.

• Producing weekly status reports.

• Making periodic presentations for specialist and general audiences.

Flexibility, excellence, and passion are vital qualities within CMU-Africa. Inclusion, collaboration, and cultural sensitivity are valued competencies at CMU-Africa. Therefore, we are in search of a team member who shares our values and who will support the mission of the university through their work.

You should demonstrate:

• Ability to work well with others and/or as part of a team.

• Ability to pay attention to detail; keep and maintain accurate and detailed reports and records.

• Ability to maintain composure when dealing with difficult situations and/or individuals.

• Ability to meet deadlines, work under pressure and with frequent interruptions.

• Ability to understand and follow directions.

• Ability to prioritize work and handle multiple tasks simultaneously.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree (Required)

• prior internships in the robotics industry is preferred.

• Experience of working as a member of a robotics software engineering team and project management will be an added advantage.

Joining the CMU team opens the door to an array of exceptional benefits available to eligible employees.

Those employees who are benefits eligible have the opportunity to experience the full spectrum of advantages from comprehensive medical, prescription, dental, and vision insurance to an enticing retirement savings program offering a generous employer contribution. You can also unlock your potential with tuition benefits and take well-deserved breaks with ample paid time off and observed holidays . Finally, rest easy knowing you are covered by life and accidental death and disability insurance. 

Other perks include a free Pittsburgh Regional Transit bus pass, our Family Concierge Team to help navigate childcare needs, fitness center access , and so much more!

For a comprehensive overview of the benefits that may be awaiting you, explore our Benefits page .

At Carnegie Mellon, we value the whole package when extending offers of employment. Beyond just credentials, we consider the role and responsibilities, your invaluable work experience, and the knowledge gained through education and training. We acknowledge and appreciate your unique skills and the diverse perspective you bring. Your journey with us is about more than just a job; it’s about finding the perfect fit for your professional growth and personal aspirations.

Are you interested in an exciting opportunity with an exceptional organization?! Apply today!

Location

Kigali, Rwanda

Job Function

Non-CMU Students

Position Type

Intern (Fixed Term)

Full Time/Part time

Full time

Pay Basis

More Information: 

• Please visit “Why Carnegie Mellon ” to learn more about becoming part of an institution inspiring innovations that change the world. 

• Click here to view a listing of employee benefits

• Carnegie Mellon University is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Disability/Veteran. 

• Statement of Assurance