Post Master

Project
PREP0005092

NIST is investigating the performance of commercial and custom AI systems (hardware and software) for
advanced robotic grasping and manipulation systems, with a focus on grasp path planning and
graspability analysis for improved autonomy. The work will involve implementing tactile sensing and
developing control strategies for dextrous, multi-finger hands, alongside research into bi-manual
manipulation techniques, to conduct experiments that evaluate the efficiency and adaptability of
robotic systems in complex environments.

Robotic Grasping and Manipulation Researcher

Qualifications
  • Education: Engineering / Computer Science majors with Master’s Degree or Ph.D, or in the final
    year of degree (e.g., Computer Science, Robotics, Mechanical Engineering or similar)
  • Strong technical background in robotic manipulation, kinematics, grasp path planning, and bi-
    manual control strategies.
  • Practical experience with multi-finger, high-dexterity robotic hands and end-effectors.
  • Knowledge of tactile sensing principles, sensor integration, signal processing, and force-
    feedback control.
  • Experience with computer vision and sensor fusion for 2D/3D grasp pose estimation and
    graspability analysis.
  • Strong programming proficiency in Python and C++.
  • Hands-on experience with ROS / ROS 2 and motion planning toolkits (e.g., MoveIt).
  • Familiarity with AI/ML frameworks (e.g., PyTorch, TensorFlow) for learning-based grasping and
    force sensing strategies.
  • Experience with robotics simulation platforms and physics engines (e.g., NVIDIA IsaacSim,
    Gazebo, MuJoCo, Drake).
  • Experience with version control tools (Git, GitHub, GitLab, Bitbucket).
  • Experience working on Linux/Unix operating systems.
  • Working knowledge of CAD software (e.g., SolidWorks, OnShape) for test fixture or end-effector
    integration.
Research Proposal

Key responsibilities will include but are not limited to:

  • Evaluate and benchmark commercial and custom AI systems (hardware and software) to
    advance autonomous robotic grasping and manipulation capabilities.
  • Research and develop algorithms for grasp path planning and graspability analysis to improve
    decision-making and autonomy in unstructured environments.
  • Integrate tactile sensors into robotic fingertips/end-effectors and develop signal processing,
    data analysis, and force-control strategies to achieve finger force sensitivity.
  • Design and implement control strategies for high-degree-of-freedom, dexterous multi-finger
    hands and coordinate bi-manual manipulation techniques for dual-arm systems.
  • Conduct rig-based and simulation-based experiments to test, evaluate, and benchmark system
    efficiency, adaptability, and performance in complex manufacturing or assembly environments.
  • Write technical reports, contribute to peer-reviewed publications, and deliver weekly
    presentations to showcase project milestones and research progress.
  • Work Schedule: On-campus (Gaithersburg, MD), Full-Time (40 hrs / week)
NIST Sponsor
Anthony Downs
Group
Cognition and Collaboration Systems Group
Salary / Hourly Rate {Min}
$88,000.00
Schedule of Appointment
Full time
Start Date
Sponsor email
anthony.downs@nist.gov
Work Location
Onsite NIST (Gaithersburg, MD)
Salary / Hourly rate {Max}
$100,000.00
Total Hours per week
40
End Date
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