Postdoctoral Research Associate at

Institute of Advanced Materials for Sustainable Manufacturing

Advanced Manufacturing research unit adhered to the Institute of Advanced Materials for Sustainable Manufacturing is currently seeking a highly motivated Postdoctoral Research Associate to develop and conduct research activities to develop novel technologies for robotics in construction, which belongs to Tecnologico de Monterrey, Mexico’s top private university with 26 campuses. The duration of the position is one year.

The project to be enrolled in is titled:

Cyber-physical intelligent mobile robotic system for automatic building of civil structures

Project description

This project endeavors to create a comprehensive cyber-physical system for the autonomous construction of civil structures based on a multi-device robotic system. The envisioned system incorporates custom-designed mobile robotic manipulators equipped with the capability to autonomously perceive their surroundings, a three-dimensional mortar printer for developing self-assembling and self-assembly bricks, and an auxiliary autonomous ground vehicle that serves as a transporter for the bricks, which could carry bricks with different shapes and weights. The mobile manipulators are designed to efficiently transport substantial loads, such as bricks destined for placement on constructed walls that can be assembled using the developed bricks. The target position for the brick in the wall is going to be identified using image processing based on deep learning like convolutional neural networks. The project includes the development of robotic mobile manipulators (including the mechanical design, the electronic instrumentation, and the automatic regulation), their validation in civil construction sites, and their assessment comparing their performances with traditional workers. The conceptualized cyber-physical system encompasses an Internet of Things (IoT) framework, facilitating real-time evaluation of the construction progress through continuous monitoring. The developed cyber-physical will help speed up the construction under hazardous environments or improving the masons’ safety. The evaluation of the constructed wall will be attached to the standards considered necessary for ensuring the properties of the constructed wall.  The project will have support from the University of Alberta performing structural and thermal analysis. Also, the automatic control department of CINVESTAV in Mexico.

About Tecnologico de Monterrey

Tecnologico de Monterrey is a private non-profit institution with over 26 campuses in Mexico. It has more than 89,000 students and 230,000 alumni. Its mission is to educate proactive, humanistic, and internationally competitive leaders for the academic, business, civic, and government sectors. With over 100 academic programs at the undergraduate and graduate level, it has established a reputation for providing educational experiences of the highest quality and fit for an increasingly globalized and digitalized world.

Currently, the university is ranked 184 in the world, one of the Top 5 in Latin America and Top 30 of the private universities in the world, according to the QS World University Ranking. The Times Higher Education World University Ranking considers it #1 in Mexico and #4 in Latin America. Besides, it has been accredited since 1953 by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools of the United States. For more information about Tecnologico de Monterrey, please visit: https://www.tec.mx/en

Tecnologico de Monterrey is a worldwide recognized university in Educational innovation and Engineering developments. Some relevant engineering initiatives are Challenge Projects which are looking to create disruptive solutions to the current society necessities worldwide.

Added value

Generate knowledge through research work in the strategic focus areas corresponding to the development of solutions related to the application of robotic systems applied in construction, resulting in publications and citations in indexed journals and involving professional and postgraduate students, colleagues and/or national or international research groups.

Support the training of professional and postgraduate students.

Carry out linking and attracting external funds from national and international public or private organizations for research.

Responsabilities

1.   Publish articles in high-impact indexed journals (SCOPUS Q1 and Q2 or equivalent) as a result of their research and active participation in the Institute of Advanced Materials for Sustainable Manufacturing; this to generate prestige for himself and the institution.

2.   Advise postgraduate students (master's and doctorate) to develop their research capacity.

3.   Attract external resources by applying funds for research from national and international organizations and the transfer of knowledge (patents and licenses) to contribute to the economic development and well-being of society..

4.   Seek professional development to consolidate yourself as a researcher and in teaching activities.

Expected results

1. Scientific productivity – Accepted articles: 3 JCR Q1, Q2

2. Collaboration in the preparation of proposals to attract funds, together with your leader.

3. Development of the robotic devices that will provide the handling of elements considered in the construction industry

4. Mentor graduate students

5. Complete grant and funding applications, particularly with provincial, federal or international agencies as well as with industrial partners, municipalities and foundations.

Requirements

• Hold a Doctorate (PhD) in Engineering or in applied science in a relevant field for this position.
• Have experience in conducting research in collaboration with some other colleges.
• Demonstrate excellent skills related to training highly qualified personnel through research projects and teaching

Application procedure:

Interested candidates should submit an application package including the following:

• Curriculum vitae
• Cover letter
• Evidence of academic credentials that include publications in academic journals, and other academic achievements.
• Brief description of past research accomplishments and future research goals
• Two reference letters, one provided by the PhD thesis supervisor.

Please send the application package by e-mail to: Global Recuruiter Martha J Navarro mcayon@tec.mx

Location:  Cyberphysical Systems Laboratory, Guadalajara, Jalisco, México

https://tec.mx/es/guadalajara