PostDoctoral/PhD positions on neuromorphic sensing and control for prosthetics and rehabilitation...

Commitment & contract: full-time, temporary contract

Location: Italy, Genoa, via San Quirico 19D and via Morego 30

WHO WE ARE

At IIT we work enthusiastically to develop human-centered Science and Technology to tackle some of the most pressing societal challenges of our times and transfer these technologies to the production system and society. Our Genoa headquarter is strictly inter-connected with our 11 centres around Italy and two outer-stations based in the US for a truly interdisciplinary experience.

YOUR TEAMS

You’d be working in two multicultural and multi-disciplinary groups, where roboticists, neuromorphic and electronic engineers, and computational scientists collaborate, each with their own expertise, to carry out common research.

The Event-Driven Perception for Robotics Research Line  is coordinated by Chiara Bartolozzi, who has extensive experience in neuromorphic engineering applied to sensing, computation and robotics.

 The Rehab Research Line  is coordinated by Lorenzo De Michieli, who has extensive experience in the development and clinical application of exoskeletons and limb prosthetics.

The research focuses on neuromorphic sensing and control for prosthetics and rehabilitating devices. Information from the patient (EMG, IMU, etc.) and from the artificial devices (tactile sensors, encoders, force-torque sensors, etc...) will be integrated to improve control. In particular, the candidates will be in a unique position to exploit recent advances in neuromorphic machine learning and latest poly-articulated hand prosthesis (Hannes ), or motorized exoskeleton for the walking of paraplegic subjects (Twin ), in combination with novel “event-driven ” sensors. 

Within the team, your main responsibilities will be:

• Study neuromorphic learning and sensor fusion to extract relevant information for the control of the artificial devices, relying on an “event-driven” approach to sensing, in which sensor signals are not sampled at a fixed temporal rate, but at significant change of the signal itself, leading to high-compression, low-latency, high dynamic range.

• Improve the speed, accuracy and robustness of control of rehabilitation devices, for enhanced treatment and life quality of prosthetics users.

• Work in close collaboration with the NCS  at the University of Zurich that will work at possible neuromorphic hardware implementations of the learning and sensor fusion techniques that you will develop.

 WHAT WOULD MAKE YOU SHINE

• If you apply for a PostDoc position: A PhD in computer science, robotics, biomedical engineering, physics, and similar disciplines

• If you apply for a PhD position: A Master in computer science, robotics, biomedical engineering, physics, and similar disciplines

• Documented experience on the ability to analyse, improve and propose new algorithms/solutions

• A strong publication record

• The ability to properly report, organize and publish research data

• Documented experience in coaching junior scientists

• Good command in spoken and written English

EXTRA AWESOME

• Background or experience in a field among modelling, machine learning, prosthetics, rehabilitation, event-driven or spike-based computation

• Good communication skills

• Strong problem solving attitude

• High motivation to learn

• Spirit of innovation and creativity

• Good in time and priority management

• Ability to work in a challenging and international environment

• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a highly interdisciplinary environment

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

• Competitive salary package for international standards

• Private health care coverage

• Wide range of staff discounts

 WHAT’S IN FOR YOU?

• An equal, inclusive and multicultural environment ready to welcome you with open arms. Discrimination is a big NO for us!

• We like contamination and encourage you to mingle and discover what other people are up to in our labs! 

• If paperwork is not your piece of cake, we got you! There’s a specialized team working to help you with that, especially during your relocation! 

• If you are a startupper or a business-minded person, you will find some exceptionally gifted professionals ready to nurture and guide your attitude and aspirations.

• If you want your work to have a real impact, in IIT you will find an innovative and stimulating culture that drives our mission to contribute to the improvement and well-being of society!

• We stick to our values! Integrity, courage, societal responsibility and inclusivity are the values we believe in! They define us and our actions in our everyday life. They guide us to accomplish IIT mission!

If you feel this tickles your appetite for change, do not hesitate and apply!

Please submit your application using the online form and including a detailed CV, university transcripts, cover letter (outlining motivation, experience and qualifications and how they fit the position) and contact details of 2 references.

Application’s deadline: December 14th, 2021

We inform you that the information you provide will be used solely for the purposes of evaluating and selecting professional profiles in order to meet the requirements of Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia.

Your data will be processed by Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, based in Genoa, Via Morego 30, acting as Data Controller, in compliance with the rules on protection of personal data, including those related to data security.

Please also note that, pursuant to articles 15 et. seq. of European Regulation no. 679/2016 (General Data Protection Regulation), you may exercise your rights at any time by contacting the Data Protection Officer (phone Tel: +39 010 28961 - email: [email protected]  ).