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The SYMBIO-X Lab at Vanderbilt University, led by Assistant Professor Yayun Du, is recruiting one PhD student for Fall 2026 (with the option to start in Summer 2026). The research focuses on sensor-in-the-loop human-robot interaction, integrating multimodal physiological sensing with robotic control and reinforcement learning to enable safe and efficient human-in-the-loop autonomy. The lab is seeking candidates with strong quantitative skills and backgrounds in Electrical and Computer Engineering, Mechanical Engineering/Robotics, Computer Science, or Biomedical Engineering. Preferred qualifications include experience with ROS2, hands-on work with robotic arms (such as Franka, UR, xArm), and expertise in controls, reinforcement learning, or machine learning (PyTorch). Applicants should submit a CV, a short paragraph describing their interests, and optionally links to their GitHub or publications. The position is based at Vanderbilt University in the United States. Funding details are not specified, but PhD positions at Vanderbilt are typically fully funded. Interested candidates should contact Yayun Du directly via email and indicate their preferred start date.

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 yayun.du@vanderbilt.edu 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.

The SYMBIO-X Lab at Vanderbilt University, led by Assistant Professor Yayun Du, is recruiting one PhD student for Fall 2026 (with the option to start in Summer 2026). The research focuses on sensor-in-the-loop human-robot interaction, integrating multimodal physiological sensing with robotic control and reinforcement learning to enable safe and efficient human-in-the-loop autonomy. The lab welcomes applicants from Electrical and Computer Engineering, Mechanical Engineering/Robotics, Computer Science, and Biomedical Engineering, especially those with strong quantitative skills. Preferred experience includes ROS2, hands-on work with robotic arms (Franka, UR, xArm), and expertise in controls, reinforcement learning, or machine learning (PyTorch). Interested candidates should email Yayun Du with a CV, a short paragraph on research interests, and optionally links to GitHub or published papers. Funding details are not specified, but PhD positions at Vanderbilt typically include tuition coverage and a stipend. The application deadline is December 28, 2026. This is an excellent opportunity for students interested in cutting-edge robotics and human-robot interaction research at a leading US institution.