VSR Employment Opportunities

The University of Iowa
Center for Computer Aided Design (CCAD)
Virtual Soldier Research (VSR) Program

The University of Iowa’s VSR program (http://www.ccad.uiowa.edu/vsr/), within the Center for Computer-Aided Design (CCAD), is seeking graduate students for a variety of research positions.  VSR is a world renowned multi-disciplinary team, with expertise spanning computer science, physiology, engineering, biomechanics, computational mechanics, 3D modeling, and others.   VSR has developed a new kind of virtual human named SantosTM, which continues to grow from cutting edge research and from user-driven product development.  SantosTM is an applied tool for simulating human behavior.  Thus, we model strength, physiology, fatigue, musculoskeletal structures, etc., all with a focus on posture and motion prediction.

This search extends to Computer Science, Mechanical Engineering, and Biomedical Engineering graduate students with excellent programming skills, a background in dynamics and optimization, experience with computer graphics and real-time simulation, interests in strength and fatigue experiments and data-gathering, and/or experience with motion-capture.  Multiple positions are available, most involving potential work with C and C++, as well as work with the Virtools game engine.  Duties may include software development, real-time 3D game engine scripting, strength and fatigue experiments, and motion-capture studies.  Strong verbal and written English skills are required.  Creativity, the ability to work in a results-oriented group, and the ability to learn independently are also required.

Specific needs are as follows:

  1. Ph.D. candidates with a background in programming, dynamics, and optimization, to develop code for a new approach to dynamic motion prediction
  2. Ph.D. candidates with a background in programming and dynamics/statics, to develop a new code for human posture prediction with applied loads
  3. Ph.D. candidates with a background in programming, controls, AI, and/or human modeling, to continue work with predicting human grasping motion/postures
  4. Ph.D. or M.S. candidates with a background in biomedical engineering, to conduct experimental strength assessments and modeling

To apply, please send a resume and cover letter to Joel S. Steele, Administrator (josteele@ccad.uiowa.edu); Center for Computer Aided Design; The University of Iowa; 234 Engineering Research Facility; Iowa City, Iowa 52242.