PhD Position on Artificial Intelligence for Enhanced Exoskeleton Control

(ref. BAP-2022-667)

Laatst aangepast : 5/09/2022

The KU Leuven department of Electrical Engineering (ESAT) stands for high-quality education and research in the broad field of electrical and electronic applications. Within ESAT, the Stadius Center for Dynamical Systems, Signal Processing, and Data Analytics (STADIUS) is an academic research center, with a research focus on mathematical engineering, where mathematical tools from numerical linear and multi-linear algebra, statistics and optimization are used for applications of dynamical systems and control, signal processing, data modelling and analytics. STADIUS has a broad data-mining expertise including applications in healthcare, music, financial engineering, process control, and systems biology. You will conduct research at the eMedia Research Lab, part of the faculty of engineering technology and ESAT-STADIUS, under the supervision of Prof.dr.ir Bart Vanrumste. Prof. Vanrumste is involved in several potential projects that aim to advance the intelligence of exoskeletons by integrating multi-modal sensors and AI algorithms. You will specifically research whether the latest advancements in deep learning and multi-modal sensor fusion will enable a pro-active estimation of the exoskeleton user’s physical status (e.g., fatigue) and the user’s desire to accomplish an action. A pro-active estimation is crucial to allow exoskeletons to optimally assist the user in facilitating the desired action.

Project

In the context of this research project:

• You will be part of a multi-disciplinary research group working on topics related to the application of deep learning for enhanced exoskeleton control under the supervision of Prof. Bart Vanrumste.
• You will follow-up literature, patents, company releases, conferences, etc., and dissect the obtained information to determine the state-of-the-art and identify opportunities for novel contributions to the field.
• You will be responsible for developing novel deep learning algorithms for multi-modal sensor fusion and researching their application to user intention and physical state prediction.
• You will guide and supervise master thesis students.
• You will report to your senior colleagues, supervisors, and the different partners during the bi-annual consortium meetings.
• You will disseminate your research results at international conferences.

Profile

• You hold an MSc in Engineering Science or Engineering Technology, or equivalent degree, in a related field such as computer science, electronics-ICT, AI, mechatronics, or related field, for which you obtained a distinction.
• You have good programming skills and experience with Python.
• You ideally have experience with implementing deep learning and machine learning in software libraries such as Pytorch and Tensorflow.
• You like to work in a multi-disciplinary team of international researchers and show a willingness to learn/explore innovative technologies and techniques.
• You have a creative mindset, like to take initiative, and are not afraid to address innovative ideas and new opportunities.
• You have excellent communication skills (oral and written) in English.

Offer

KU Leuven is among the topuniversities in Europe (ranked 48th in general and 45th in engineeringaccording to Times Higher Education world university ranking). Your researchwill be conducted at Group T campus, located in Leuven, a historic, dynamic,and lively city located in the heart of Belgium.

• We offer a varied and challenging job with an attractive salary package.
• We offer a full-time PhD position for one year, to be renewed every year up to 4 years upon positive evaluation.
• We offer a research position in a stimulating and multi-disciplinary research group.
• We will support you in publishing in high-ranked international scientific journals.
• We provide the opportunity to work towards obtaining a PhD degree.

Interested?

For more information please contact Prof. dr. ir. Bart Vanrumste, tel.: +32 16 32 64 07, mail: [email protected] or Mr. Benjamin Filtjens, tel.: +32 14 74 15 99, mail: [email protected].

KU Leuven seeks to foster an environment where all talents can flourish, regardless of gender, age, cultural background, nationality or impairments. If you have any questions relating to accessibility or support, please contact us at [email protected].