PhD in Intelligent Control Systems for Human Training and Rehabilitation at the University of Alberta University of Alberta in Canada

The IDEA Lab at the University of Alberta is recruiting a PhD student to work on intelligent control systems for human training and rehabilitation. This opportunity sits at the intersection of control theory, robotics, biomedical engineering, neuroscience, and computer science, with a strong emphasis on adaptive systems that learn with the human during interaction.

The research aims to move beyond traditional control paradigms by integrating motor learning, neurophysiology, and computational neuroscience into human-in-the-loop and learning-aware control frameworks. The successful student will help develop advanced control strategies for robotic rehabilitation, including adaptive, nonlinear, and optimal control, as well as hybrid architectures that combine model-based methods with AI-driven approaches.

Research topics include: human-in-the-loop control, learning-aware control, neurophysiology-informed adaptation, state estimation, system identification, dynamic modelling, machine learning for control, reinforcement learning, and human-robot systems. The lab is especially interested in applications to physical rehabilitation, where affordable and accessible robotic systems can improve outcomes for individuals with neurological and musculoskeletal injuries.

Ideal applicants should have a strong background in control theory and practical experience building controllers for robotic or mechatronic systems. Experience with intelligent systems, biomechanics, rehabilitation engineering, motor control, or neurophysiology is a strong advantage. The work is interdisciplinary and involves collaboration with engineers and clinicians, using rehabilitation robots and multimodal sensing technologies such as EEG, EMG, and IMU.

This is a PhD opening in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Alberta. The post does not mention a deadline, and applications are to be submitted via the Google Form provided in the post. Emails will not be considered.