Master’s thesis student OR Research Technician

 

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

Master’s thesis student OR Research Technician (m/f/div)

to join an interdisciplinary team for a 6–12 month research project at the interface of neuromechanics and (human) movement science.

 

Project summary:

This project aims to deepen the understanding of the neuromechanical mechanisms behind high-performance, unsteady and agile movements, and their implications for neuromuscular health.

Overview:

Agile and stable locomotion over complex, three-dimensional terrain requires the coordination of muscle mechanics (physical intelligence), sensory feedback and anticipatory planning (neuronal intelligence), to meet rapidly changing mechanical demands. While muscle mechanics are tuned by anticipatory feedforward control, sensory feedback provides reactive updates on muscle state to fine-tune output. This integration is especially challenging on irregular and uncertain terrain compared to flat, stable surfaces. Despite advances in biology, physiology, and robotics, how animals achieve agile movement in complex environments remains poorly understood.

Methods:

Key tasks include:

• Designing a modular, reconfigurable trackway for testing movement over complex terrain.
• Capturing and analysing motion data from human participants navigating this terrain.

Ultimately, they will incorporate musculoskeletal modelling in this project. By integrating diverse experimental data with advanced modelling, they aim to reveal the roles of muscle mechanics and sensory feedback in agile locomotion.

 

Your role

As a member of the research group, you will contribute to ongoing work in neuromechanics of movement, including human walking. Your responsibilities may include:

• Conducting experiments with human participants
• Designing, building, and testing experimental setups with complex terrain (i.e., force plates, cameras, IMUs, EMGs)
• Documenting design iterations
• Analyzing, plotting, and interpreting experimental data
• Supporting scientific writing and reporting
• Initiate the musculoskeletal modelling of complex terrain movement (not required)

This position offers a hands-on opportunity to engage with experimental equipment and software while gaining direct experience in experimental research methodologies.

 

Education & Experience

They are looking for candidates who meet the following qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree (required) or Master’s degree (optional) in movement sciences, biomedical engineering, mechanical engineering, biomechanics, or a related field
• Strong academic record in relevant coursework
• High level of motivation and attention to detail
• Practical experience with IMUs, force plates, VICON systems, and/or other experimental data acquisition systems
• Good programming skills (Python and/or MATLAB)
• Excellent documentation and communication skills
• Strong command of written English; good spoken English
• Interest in working within an international, interdisciplinary team
• Availability to work on-site at the Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems in Stuttgart

 

The offer:

• Opportunity to complete a technician or Master’s thesis position in a leading research environment
• Exposure to cutting-edge neuromechanics research and collaborations with institutions in the direct neighborhood (University of Tübingen, University of Stuttgart).
• Important: Candidates who demonstrate exceptional performance while collaborating on the project may be considered for a follow-up PhD position.

 

Application:

To apply, please upload the following documents in one pdf-file to the application portal:

• Motivation letter
• CV with description of previous projects, contact details of ideally two references
• transcript of records and an example of previous scientific writing (thesis/project report/paper/or similar)

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.