We are Hiring — PhD Scholarships & Postdoc on Human-Robot Collaboration (MBIE Endeavour Fund)
The Industrial AI Research Group has secured $1 million over three years from the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) Endeavour Fund to advance "Ultra-flexible human-robot collaborative product assembly."
The project addresses New Zealand's manufacturing productivity challenges by developing technologies enabling seamless human-robot interaction in dynamic, high-mix-low-volume production environments. The approach emphasises robots equipped with real-time human state sensing, adaptive behaviour planning, and multimodal communication interfaces, including support for te reo Māori.
The interdisciplinary team includes experts in human sensing, robot control, human-machine interactions, and Māori knowledge. The initiative incorporates Tikanga and Māori data sovereignty principles while prioritising workplace well-being and cultural sensitivity.
Available Positions
- Two full-scholarship PhD positions
- One postdoctoral research fellow position
The application deadline is November 1st, 2024. Interested candidates should review the detailed job descriptions and contact Dr. Yuqian Lu at yuqian.lu@auckland.ac.nz for further information.