Graduate Student Employment

Please visit the Michigan Tech jobs website or Handshake for additional job opportunities.

Fully Funded Ph.D. Opportunity in Mechatronics

Dr. Amna Mazen's research group, within the Applied Computing Department and the Department of Manufacturing and Mechanical Engineering Technology at Michigan Technological University, is seeking applications for a Ph.D. position in Mechatronics, starting in Spring 2025. The research will focus on leveraging mobile manipulators for tasks in healthcare and industrial applications. Ideal candidates should possess the following qualifications:

  • Master's degree in Mechatronics, Robotics, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or a related field.
  • A solid foundation in ROS, SLAM, MoveIt, mobile robot navigation, manipulator motion planning and robot perception.
  • At least one published paper.
  • Proficiency in programming languages such as MATLAB, Python, C++.
  • Excellent analytical and problem-solving abilities.
  • Exceptional communication and teamwork skills.

Preference will be given to candidates with additional experience in mobile manipulators and Human-Robot Interaction. Interested candidates should email the following documents to Dr. Amna Mazen at amazen@mtu.edu with subject “Ph.D. Application_FirstName_LastName”:

  • A cover letter detailing your research interests and relevant experience.
  • A detailed CV or resume.
  • Copies of academic transcripts, English proficiency test scores (e.g.., TOEFEL, IELTS), and GRE score (if available).

For any inquiries or further information, please contact amazen@mtu.edu. Application Deadline: Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

Fully Funded Ph.D. Opportunity in AI for Software Engineering

Assistant Professor Jie Wu Computer Science is inviting applications for 1–2 fully funded PhD positions starting in Spring or Fall 2026, in a quest to perform research on approaches that advance AI-assisted software engineering. Our research lies at the intersection of Software Engineering and AI, with a strong emphasis on building trustworthy AIware (AI-powered software). We are passionate about the opportunities to shape foundational approaches that ensure trustworthiness, reliability, safety and human-centered design in next-generation AIware. 

Research Areas of Interest (not limited to):

  • AI for Software Engineering
  • Trustworthy AI
  • Human-Centered AI
  • Software Engineering for AI (a.k.a. AI Engineering / Machine Learning in Production)
  • AI for Engineering, Science, and Education
  • Large Language Models and Agentic Flow for Code

Desired Qualifications

  • Highly Motivated: Passion for research and strong interest in pursuing a PhD
  • Grit Mindset: Perseverance and determination in achieving the PhD degree

Preferred candidates will have:

  • Demonstrated strengths such as strong research skills with prior research experience (e.g., publications), or excellent programming skills (e.g., programming contests or software projects).
  • Proficiency in training and inferencing Large Language Models (LLMs).
  • Practical experiences as a software engineer or contributor of open-source software.

Application Instructions

Interested applicants should send their application materials via email to jie.jw.wu@mtu.edu 

Research Assistant (Volunteer)-Human-Robot Interaction (HRI) Lab

Location: Michigan Technological University, Department of Computer Science
Open To: Undergraduate and Graduate Students in the College of Computing
Compensation: Volunteer
Description:
The HRI Lab at Michigan Tech conducts research at the intersection of human–robot interaction (HRI), extended reality (XR), and robotic systems. We design and evaluate advanced robotic interfaces that enable people to supervise, collaborate with, and control robots in settings ranging from everyday environments such as homes and workplaces to remote and extreme domains like search and rescue and space exploration.
We are seeking motivated students who are passionate about designing robotic systems for people. Lab members contribute to research projects involving teleoperation, XR-enabled control rooms, multi-robot teaming, and immersive user interfaces. Students will gain hands-on experience with state-of-the-art robots (e.g., Boston Dynamics Spot, Reachy 2 humanoid, Turtlebot 4), XR headsets, Unity-based interfaces, and Robot Operating System (ROS) software pipelines.
Preferred Qualifications:

  • Experience with robotics (e.g., ROS/ROS 2, perception, navigation, manipulation)
  • Experience with game engines (e.g., Unity, Unreal) for UI/UX or simulation
    development
  • Strong interest in human–robot interaction and applied research

All students within the College of Computing are welcome to apply. Prior research experience is not required. This position is intended as an entry point into the lab’s research ecosystem, with opportunities for progression to paid positions and deeper project involvement.
How to Apply:
Send a brief statement of interest and your resume/CV to Dr. Michael Walker at miwalker@mtu.edu. In your message, highlight relevant experience (if any) and what motivates your interest in HRI research.