The Yamagami Lab in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Rice University, Houston, Texas, is seeking a full-time Postdoctoral Researcher to join an interdisciplinary team focused on rehabilitation and recovery after stroke. The lab is part of the Rice Digital Health Initiative and collaborates with engineers, clinicians, and individuals with disabilities to develop innovative technology supporting rehabilitation goals.

This project centers on enhancing neuroplasticity and functional recovery for stroke survivors by pairing rehabilitation movements with closed-loop transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) in both clinical and home settings. The research involves monitoring rehabilitation outcomes using wearable sensors, such as smartwatches and EMG devices, and refining an EMG-triggered taVNS prototype for deployment in real-world environments.

The successful candidate will define their own research project in collaboration with the PI, focusing on home rehabilitation, longitudinal modeling using biosignal data, and tracking recovery after stroke. Responsibilities include leading an interdisciplinary team, refining medical device prototypes, and serving as the primary engineering contact for clinical and home-based tests. The position offers the opportunity to contribute to the translation of medical device prototypes into clinical practice.

Applicants should have a PhD in Electrical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field, with a strong background in biosignal processing. Experience with embedded systems and microcontroller programming (e.g., Arduino) for real-time applications is highly desirable. Candidates with prior experience mentoring student teams or working with individuals with disabilities will be given preference.

To apply, candidates should submit a cover letter, CV, and contact information for three professional references via the Rice University job posting. For more information, visit the provided links.