PhD Opening in Sensor-in-the-Loop Human-Robot Interaction at Vanderbilt University (Fall 2026) Vanderbilt University in United States

The SYMBIO-X Lab at Vanderbilt University, led by Prof. Yayun Du, is recruiting one PhD student for Fall 2026 (with a possible Summer 2026 start) to work on sensor-in-the-loop human-robot interaction. The research focuses on integrating multimodal physiological sensing with robotic control and reinforcement learning to enable safe and efficient human-in-the-loop autonomy. The project will involve working with robotic arms (such as Franka, UR, or xArm), developing and implementing control algorithms, and leveraging machine learning techniques (especially using PyTorch) for real-world human-robot collaboration.

Applicants from Electrical and Computer Engineering, Mechanical Engineering/Robotics, Computer Science, or Biomedical Engineering backgrounds are encouraged to apply, especially those with strong quantitative skills. Preferred experience includes ROS2, hands-on work with robotic arms, and familiarity with controls, reinforcement learning, or machine learning. The lab values candidates who are motivated to work at the intersection of robotics, sensing, and intelligent systems.

To apply, interested candidates should email Prof. Yayun Du at [email protected] with a CV, a short paragraph describing their research interests, and optionally links to their GitHub or publications. The position is set to begin in Fall 2026, with the option to start in Summer 2026. For more information about the lab and research, visit the SYMBIO-X Lab website.

This opportunity is ideal for students interested in advancing the field of human-robot interaction, sensor integration, and autonomous systems within a leading research environment at Vanderbilt University.