Student Research Assistant for creating a numerical model of the kangaroo rat

 

The Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems spans two campuses in Stuttgart and Tübingen, working together toward a common goal: advancing the frontiers of artificial intelligence and robotics. By combining their expertise, they explore the fundamental principles of intelligent systems from multiple perspectives.

Scientists at their Stuttgart site focus on the physical realization of intelligent systems, researching in the fields of robotic materials, haptic intelligence, soft robotics, and bio-inspired robotics.

Their group leader Janneke Schwaner is currently seeking a

Student Research Assistant (m/f/div) for creating a numerical model of the kangaroo rat

 

Join an exciting computational biophysics project to develop a detailed neuromuscular model of a kangaroo rat (Dypodomys) and simulate its powerful jumps, their natural anti-predator behavior.

 

Project summary:

This project is embedded in a collaboration between the Neuromechanics of Movement Group of Dr. Janneke Schwaner at the Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems (MPI-IS) and the University of Stuttgart’s Computational Biophysics and Biorobotics groups led by Prof. Syn Schmitt within the BITS consortium. You’ll benefit from access to state of the art simulation tools, advanced musculoskeletal models, and an international, interdisciplinary research environment.

The project can start as a master’s thesis or student research project and offers the possibility of extension into a longer collaborative project. If you are motivated to work on biologically inspired locomotion, want hands on experience in neuromuscular modelling, and enjoy close collaboration between theory, simulation, and robotics, let’s talk!

 

Your role

You will work at the intersection of biomechanics, neuroscience, and robotics, building muscle activations, limb dynamics, and reflex pathways to understand how this tiny animal (~100 grams) masters explosive jumps (over 16 times their hip height!).

As a student assistant in the research group your responsibilities may include:

• Modelling and simulation work, numerical study
• Working with biological data of kangaroo rats performing explosive jumps away from snakes in the field and translate that into a computational model

 

Education and experience

They are looking for candidates who meet the following qualifications:

• enrolled in a bachelor's or master's degree program at a German university
• Interest in neuromechanics, control, simulation science, comparative biomechanics, and biology

 

The offer:

Students without a Bachelor’s degree will earn €15,00 per hour. Students holding a Bachelor’s degree will be paid €15,61 per hour. Contracts are given per semester.

 

Application:

Please upload your application (a résumé in English or German and a brief cover letter in English explaining your interest in this position, merged into a single PDF) to the application portal.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

For further information about the position, please contact Janneke Schwaner via jschwaner@is.mpg.de.

The Max Planck Society is committed to increasing the number of individuals with disabilities in its workforce and therefore encourages applications from such qualified individuals. The Max Planck Society strives for gender equality and diversity. Furthermore, the Max Planck Society seeks to increase the number of women and non-binary individuals in those areas where they are underrepresented and therefore explicitly encourages them to apply.