RESEARCH TECHNICIAN I

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Research Assistant (Robotic Manipulation & Multimodal Closed-Loop Control for Ultrasonic Aspirator)

Position Summary

We are seeking a Research Assistant to develop and validate a real-time, closed-loop robotic system for precision manipulation of an ultrasonic aspirator (e.g., Sonopet) toward autonomous and clinically relevant resection workflows. The role spans robotic control, sensor integration, multimodal learning, and experimental evaluation in a lab-to-clinic translation setting.

Key Responsibilities

* Real-time robotic control: Develop and deploy real-time control algorithms for a robotic manipulator arm to precisely manipulate an ultrasonic aspirator with sub-millimeter accuracy, including calibration, tracking, and motion execution.

* Multimodal sensor integration: Integrate imaging and force-feedback sensors with the robotic system and aspirator, ensuring synchronized acquisition, low-latency processing, and reliable hardware/software interfaces.

* Data analysis & pattern discovery: Analyze force and ultrasonic aspirator data streams to identify discriminative patterns linked to tissue interaction and operating conditions.

* Tissue classification & settings optimization: Design and implement a multimodal architecture (e.g., force + aspirator signals imaging) to classify tissue types and infer optimal device settings for safe and effective resection.

* Closed-loop autonomy: Use trained models to provide real-time feedback and enable closed-loop resection behaviors (e.g., adjust motion, operating parameters, or stop conditions based on tissue-state estimation).

* Experimental validation: Plan, execute, and document experiments; quantify accuracy, latency, robustness, and safety metrics; iterate on system performance based on results.

* Technical writing & dissemination: Prepare internal technical reports, assist with manuscript writing, figures, and documentation for public dissemination.

* Team collaboration: Participate in lab meetings and regular advisor check-ins; contribute to project planning and translation strategy to move the system toward clinical relevance.

Preferred Qualifications

* Bachelor's or Master's degree (or equivalent experience) in Robotics, Mechanical Engineering, ECE, CS, or related field.

* Hands-on experience with robotic manipulation and control (kinematics/dynamics, trajectory generation, feedback control).

* Strong programming skills in Python and/or C++; experience with ROS/ROS2 or similar robotics frameworks.

* Experience integrating sensors (force/torque, vision/imaging) and building real-time data pipelines.

* Experience with multimodal machine learning, reinforcement learning, or real-time classification for robotics.

* Familiarity with ultrasonic surgical tools or medical robotics workflows (a plus, not required).

* Prior experience with experimental design, calibration, and performance evaluation for closed-loop systems.

Core Competencies

* Systems thinking across hardware/software integration

* Rigor in validation, safety-minded design, and reproducibility

* Clear technical communication and collaborative execution

Work Environment

Collaborative robotics lab environment with regular advisor interaction, cross-disciplinary teamwork, and a translational focus bridging algorithm development, system integration, and clinically motivated evaluation.

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Work requires an Associate's degree in botany, biology, zoology, psychology or other science related scientific field.

None required above education/training requirement OR AN EQUIVALENT COMBINATION OF RELEVANT EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE

None required above education/training requirement OR AN EQUIVALENT COMBINATION OF RELEVANT EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE