How to Apply
To apply, please submit a cover letter, CV, names and contact information of three people who would be willing to provide a letter of recommendation. The cover letter should contain a statement of research interests, address your specific interest in the position, and outline skills and experience that directly relate to this position.
UMTRI, the College of Engineering, and the University recognize and value contributions to diversity, equity, and inclusion (diversity.umich.edu.) Your cover letter should also include information describing how you would work to support DEI at UMTRI.
Please submit all materials as a single document in response to this posting through the University of Michigan jobs portal.
Note: The Research Fellow position is for a one-year, renewable appointment dependent upon performance and funding.
Summary
The Biosciences Group at the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute (UMTRI) is seeking an outstanding PostDoctoral Research Fellow for a one year, renewable appointment. The Biosciences Group conducts research that spans anthropometry, ergonomics, biomechanics, human factors and modeling, focusing on vehicle design, occupant protection, and safety assessment. We are seeking a postdoctoral scholar to participate in research related to analyzing and modeling vehicle occupant behavior and/or response in automated vehicles.
UMTRI has developed a vehicle-based experimental platform to quantify passenger motion sickness in road vehicles and a second vehicle platform that emulates partial automation and integrates multiple data channels to quantify measures of driver state and posture. Data from over 325 participants have been gathered on-road and on Mcity and American Center for Mobility test facilities. The successful candidate will collaborate closely with UMTRI faculty and staff to analyze rich datasets of subjective assessment, 2D image and 3D depth data, physiological response, thermal imaging, driving and non-driving related task performance, vehicle data, and driver state monitoring system outputs from recent studies. Applications include development of models that elucidate relationships among the factors contributing to motion sickness and quantify state and behaviors of non-driving occupants for the purpose of informing the design of automated vehicles.
Who We Are
Michigan Engineers are world-class educators, researchers, students and staff who strive to build a people-first future. As part of the nation’s number one public research institution, Michigan Engineering's mission is to provide scientific and technological leadership to the people of the world, develop intellectually curious and socially conscious minds, create collaborative solutions to societal problems, and promote an inclusive and innovative community of service for the common good.
Our vision, mission and values are supported by a people-first engineering framework that guides our work. As Michigan Engineers, we strive to apply excellent engineering fundamentals, integrated expertise and equity-centered values to reimagine what engineering can be, close critical gaps, and elevate all people. Information about our vision, mission and values can be found at: http://strategicvision.engin.umich.edu/.
The University of Michigan has a storied legacy of commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI). Michigan Engineering models that commitment in our research, culture and collaborations. We seek to recruit and retain a diverse workforce as a reflection of that commitment. Learn more about DEI at Michigan Engineering: https://www.engin.umich.edu/culture/diversity-equity-inclusion/
The University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute (UMTRI) is recognized internationally for our multidisciplinary research focusing on transportation safety and mobility (http://umtri.umich.edu). Established in 1965, we maintain the highest standards of excellence as we conduct research that improves peoples’ lives through access to safe, equitable and efficient mobility. UMTRI is a non-degree-granting unit within the College of Engineering at the University of Michigan that includes 20 faculty members, 65 research staff, and over 200 student researchers annually. UMTRI generates between $14M and $18M in research expenditures each year with funding from a wide range of government agencies and industry partners.
Responsibilities*
The Postdoctoral Research Fellow will conduct research in close collaboration with Research Scientists and faculty in UMTRI. Responsibilities include but are not limited to the following:
- Conduct ergonomics and human factor studies; analyze and apply a rich dataset from UMTRI’s vehicle-based platforms from recent studies; and document research findings in journal articles and conference publications.
- Applications include identifying factors contributing to motion sickness for the purpose of generating hypotheses and informing future countermeasures for AVs, and developing models from 2D image, 3D depth, and physiological data to predict occupant state (e.g. drowsiness, attention, engagement) to inform driver state monitoring systems.
- Author and co-author peer-reviewed publications
- Participate and present in seminars, work groups and presentations at professional meetings
- Collaborate in ongoing research and new research proposals with faculty
- Help supervise and train undergraduate and graduate students
Required Qualifications*
- A Ph.D. in engineering, computer science or another related field
- Strong scientific computing skills are required, including knowledge of high-level languages such as Python, Matlab, Mathematica, and R.
- Strong foundation in computational mathematics
Desired Qualifications*
- Experience with computer vision (image) programming, physiological data, advanced statistical methods for spatial data, or human modeling research will be beneficial.
Additional Information
Ann Arbor is a small, friendly town with big-city sophistication. Ann Arbor offers an exceptionally high quality of life, combining the safety and intimacy of a smaller city with an abundance of diverse cultural opportunities exceeding those of much larger cities. Ann Arbor ranks in polls as one of the best places in the United States to live and raise a family. http://umtri.umich.edu/candidate-resources
Benefits
The University of Michigan offers a comprehensive benefits package to help you stay well, protect yourself and your family and plan for a secure future. Additional information regarding the benefits for Post Doctoral Research Fellows can be found here: https://hr.umich.edu/working-u-m/my-employment/academic-human-resources/benefits-postdoctoral-research-fellows
Background Screening
The University of Michigan conducts background checks on all job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent offer and may use a third party administrator to conduct background checks. Background checks are performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act.
Application Deadline
Job openings are posted for a minimum of seven calendar days. The review and selection process may begin as early as the eighth day after posting. This opening may be removed from posting boards and filled anytime after the minimum posting period has ended.
U-M EEO/AA Statement
The University of Michigan is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.