Grad Student Internship - 6 months

ESTAT Actuation is developing lightweight and efficient hardware that enables new functionality and unprecedented performance in motion systems. Our electroadhesive clutch technology empowers clutch designs that are 10x lighter, 10x more compact, and 1000x more efficient than the conventional alternatives. We’ve achieved significant traction with customers of all sizes, including Fortune 500 customers, as well as government funded project work with the Department of Defense and National Science Foundation. 

Why Work at ESTAT Actuation:

Joining our team gives you the unique opportunity to work alongside a highly multi-disciplinary team of scientists and innovators. You’ll be able to contribute to our get-things-done culture and grow your skillset from day 1. Gain experience that will prepare you for success in industry or academia:

• Contribute to grant/contract milestone efforts and reporting
• Translate scientific insights into real-world impact
• Write proposals alongside experienced project leads
• Mentor undergraduate interns
• Present results at industry and academic events

Located on ‘Robotics Row’ in Pittsburgh, working at ESTAT also facilitates the community aspects of a startup experience, such as frequent networking opportunities with the Pittsburgh Robotics Network and other industry associations.

About the Role:

Being successful at ESTAT involves wearing many different hats, learning quickly, and driving progress on multiple projects simultaneously. Each of our employees works extensively with both hardware and software, and as a graduate researcher you will contribute to both basic R&D and Product Introduction efforts.

This role is enabled by the NSF Intern Program funding associated with our SBIR Phase II project. Candidates must be current graduate students working under a PI who is receiving NSF grant funding. Selected candidates will apply for funding through a separate NSF process. During the 6-month internship, you will continue to be employed and funded by your University department, but will work full-time for ESTAT at our office in Pittsburgh PA. Additional program details can be found in the NSF Dear Colleague letter: www.nsf.gov/intern

We are seeking candidates who have strong experience in one or more of the following domains critical to our R&D efforts:

• Mechanical Engineering
• Electrical and Computer Engineering
• Industrial and Systems Engineering
• Biomedical Engineering
• Materials Engineering

Our active projects span across these fields, from assisted biomechanics investigation for reducing pilot injuries, to tribology and fracture mechanics of electroadhesive clutch materials and designs, to electrical characterization and optimal control of clutch behavior.  

We welcome applications from candidates in these and related fields who can draw a strong connection between their prior experience and the practical challenges facing ESTAT as we develop and commercialize game-changing products. If you have questions regarding how to craft the strongest application based on your technical background, please contact the ESTAT recruiting team at [email protected]