Employment
Biomechanical Research Opportunity for Graduate Engineering Student, UMTRI Biosciences Division
UMTRI’s Biosciences Division has an opening for a senior or graduate engineering student who is interested in pursuing post-graduate research in the field of injury biomechanics and occupant protection. Student will conduct research related to improving occupant protection for people seated in wheelchairs when traveling in motor vehicles. Project will involve the use of laboratory testing as well as computer simulations. GSRA stipend and tuition support is available.
Occupant Protection for Wheelchair-Seated Drivers and Passengers
The Biosciences Division of UMTRI has been engaged in research related to improving occupant protection for wheelchair-seated travelers for more than twenty-five years. A five-year grant for a Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center on Wheelchair Transportation Safety has recently been funded by the National Institute for Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR) and provides an opportunity for biomechanical engineering research in this field. A key research and development effort will involve enhancing front- and rear-impact protection for people who remain seated in their wheelchairs when driving a van or minivan. The project involves first investigating and documenting the current state of occupant protection for wheelchair-seated drivers with regard to seatbelt fit, positioning to driver hand controls, wheelchair securement, and factors that interfere with providing effective restraint for front and rear-impact protection. It also involves investigating and analyzing real-world crash events of vans and minivans in which wheelchair-seated occupants were traveling. This will be followed by the use of computer simulations, prototype design, and crash testing to investigate and evaluate innovative solutions to improved occupant protection. Promising concepts will be evaluated by wheelchair users with regard to usability, increased independence, and perceptions of safety.
Logistics and Contact Information
Research for the position will be performed at UMTRI, which is located at the corner of Huron Parkway and Baxter roads. Interested candidates should submit a letter of interest and CV to Zonda Ketola at zketola@umich.edu or mail to Transportation Research Institute, Attn: Zonda Ketola, 2901 Baxter Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2150.
The University of Michigan is a non-discriminatory, affirmative action employer.
Research Fellow, UMTRI Human Factors Division
Market Title: Research Fellow
Department: U-M Transportation Research Institute Human Factors Division
Salary Range: $40,000 - $45,000, commensurate with experience/applied competencies
Hours/Week: 40 Hours
Shift/Hours/Days: Day/8am-5pm/M-F
Postdoc Opportunity in Advance Analysis of Naturalistic Driving Data and Driver Modeling - University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute's Human Factors Division.
A postdoctoral research fellow is sought to participate in research investigating the naturalistic use of an integrated set of crash warning devices in passenger cars and commercial trucks. The successful candidate will investigate and apply advanced statistical analysis and modeling techniques to naturalistically gathered data on driver behavior and use of crash warning systems. This project aims to explore the effects, and potential benefits of integrated crash warning systems on driver safety.
The applicant must have completed a doctoral degree in a related field (human factors/ergonomics, industrial engineering or mechanical engineering) with a strong experimental research component. Experience with advanced statistical techniques and/or modeling of human behavior is necessary. Other areas of interest include data mining, GIS spatial analysis and vehicle dynamics. Experience using Microsoft SQL Server and professional or academic experience with advance vehicle systems/transportation safety are desired.
A commitment of one year is required.
For information and to submit an application see U-M's online job system, http://www.umich.edu/~jobs/, requisition 29166