Ph.D. Opportunity in Collaborative Autonomy

Ph.D. Opportunity in Collaborative Autonomy

Program: UWF/IHMC Intelligent Systems and Robotics

Location: Institute for Human & Machine Cognition (IHMC), Pensacola, FL

IHMC is seeking a highly motivated Ph.D. candidate to join our pioneering research in collaborative autonomy. This position offers the opportunity to contribute to groundbreaking work in the coordination of agents to enhance team performance at scale. We are looking for innovative thinkers ready to explore how physical and non-physical agents can work together effectively to achieve things that are not possible today.

Key Responsibilities:

• Conduct novel research in collaborative autonomy, focusing on effective team performance.
• Develop and test algorithms for collaborative autonomy, in simulation and with physical hardware.
• Design and conduct experiments, including with human subjects.
• Publish findings in top-tier conferences and journals.

Required Qualifications:

• Strong programming and algorithm development skills.
• Experience with physical systems (e.g., sensors, localization, perception, control).
• Familiarity with collaboration and teaming concepts.
• Working knowledge of prior collaborative autonomy research and current challenges.

Desirable Experience:

• Master's degree in relevant field
• Robotics simulation and control software (e.g., ROS, Unity, or custom platforms).
• Machine learning, especially graph-based approaches.
• Human-subject research, data analytics, and IRB protocols.
• Team performance measures and metrics.

Competencies:

• Ability to learn quickly and continuously.
• Ability to perform job functions independently and able to solve complex problems without significant assistance, or with limited supervision, and work effectively either on own or as part of team.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Collaborative mindset with a focus on team success within a tightly coupled, interdisciplinary team.

Why IHMC?

The Institute for Human & Machine Cognition is internationally recognized for leading research in robotics, AI, and human-centered systems. Join us to help shape the future of collaborative autonomy.

If you are interested in this opportunity, please email the following documents to robotjobs@ihmc.org

• Current resume in pdf format. Name your file: "YourLastName_Resume.pdf".
• Cover letter in pdf format. Name your file: "YourLastName_CoverLetter.pdf"; and
• Download this Pre-Interview Questionnairepdf, complete and sign the form (typed signature will not be accepted) and attach it. Name your file: "YourLastName_Questionnaire.pdf

This is for a full-time PhD position, including stipend, in Pensacola, Florida. You must be authorized or able to gain authorization to work in the United States.

IHMC is an Equal Opportunity Employer