Open Positions

Please check our positions below. If you are interested in joining our lab, contact nsquared@fau.de with a short description of your scientific background and what you would like to do, e.g. bachelor/master thesis.

Goals:

Planning, designing and conducting a validation study of a custom-built dynamometer designed to measure isometric index finger forces in different force directions. The validation study will evaluate the reliability of the dynamometer across recording sessions with regard to the maximum force, speed of contraction, amplitude of muscle activity (EMG) and discharge rate of motor units. The full extent of the project can be defined in detail depending on the type of thesis/project.

Requirements:

  • Solid Matlab and Python Knowledge
  • Experience in biomedical (in particular EMG) signal processing
  • Experience in mechanical / electrical design / CAD design beneficial

Supervisor:

Marius Oßwald, M. Sc.

Application:

Please apply with a cover letter, CV and transcripts to nsquared@fau.de.

Goals:

Using High-Density surface EMG, the firing activity of individual motor units can be extracted with blind-source-separation algorithms during isometric muscle contractions. However, it is challenging to investigate the activity of the same motor unit across multiple recording sessions. Different approaches for the tracking of identical motor units across recordings exist. In this study, we want to validate and compare different algorithms deisgned to identify identical motor untits across sessions with concurrent recordings of intramuscular EMG (ground truth) and HD-sEMG signals. Prior base knowledge of Neuromuscular Physiology regarding EMG and Motor Unit theory and analysis is preferred.

Requirements:

  • Solid Matlab / Python Knowledge
  • Experience in biomedical (in particular EMG) signal processing
  • Base knowledge in statistical methods
  • Interest in robust research and scientific methods

Supervisor:

Marius Oßwald, M. Sc.

Application:

Please apply with a cover letter, CV and transcripts to nsquared@fau.de.

Electromyography (EMG) is a measurement method used to assess muscle activity and activation through sensors placed on the skin. Modern algorithms leverage high-density EMG (HDsEMG) arrays to capture signals from muscles beneath the skin surface, enabling, e.g., gesture recognition in individuals with paralysis. The integration of HD-sEMG into textiles using printed electronics marks a significant innovation, facilitating accurate and rapid data acquisition for patients with motor impairments after neuromuscular lesions.

This project is conducted in collaboration with the Noxon GmbH in Munich.

Goals:

The goals of the project include recording intramuscular EMG (iEMG) concurrently with custom-designed HDsEMG textile electrodes to validate the identification of motor units in the Tibialis Anterior muscle of the leg, as well as in the forearm muscles during hand movements. Established decomposition tools will be utilized to extract unique motor units from the measured HDsEMG signals during muscle contractions at varying force levels.

Requirements:

  • Solid Matlab and Python Knowledge
  • Experience in biomedical signal processing
  • Experience in electrical design and CAD

Supervisor:

Dominik Braun, M. Sc.

Application:

Please apply with a cover letter, CV and transcripts to nsquared@fau.de.

The GraspAgain project is researching a mechatronic hand neuroorthosis that enables intuitive control via a surface electromyographic (sEMG) interface. With the help of artificial tendons and the glove-like orthosis, the force generated by the electric drives is transferred to the fingers. The sEMG electrode bracelet and the GraspAgain hand module are designed as two independent wearables, which makes the overall design complex and the donning and doffing time-consuming.

Goals:

The aim of this work is to integrate the sEMG electrodes into the hand module. In addition, the cable decoupling system, which allows the actuator unit and hand module to be easily separated, is to be extended to include an electronic interface that electrically connects the electrodes to the actuator unit. The coupling mechanism is to be further simplified.

Requirements:

  • Familiarity with electrical design
  • Proficiency in mechanical design and 3D printing techniques
  • Experience in biomedical signal processing

Supervisors:

Dominik Braun, M. Sc.
Nico Weber, M. Sc. (Chair of Factory Automatisation and Production Systems – FAPS)

Application:

Please apply with a cover letter, CV and transcripts to nsquared@fau.de.

Goals:

Planning, designing and conducting a validation study of a custom-built dynamometer designed to measure isometric index finger forces in different force directions. The validation study will evaluate the reliability of the dynamometer across recording sessions with regard to the maximum force, speed of contraction, amplitude of muscle activity (EMG) and discharge rate of motor units. The full extent of the project can be defined in detail depending on the type of thesis/project.

Requirements:

  • Solid Matlab and Python Knowledge
  • Experience in biomedical (in particular EMG) signal processing
  • Experience in mechanical / electrical design / CAD design beneficial

Supervisor:

Marius Oßwald, M. Sc.

Application:

Please apply with a cover letter, CV and transcripts to nsquared@fau.de.

Goals:

Planning, designing and conducting a validation study of a custom-built dynamometer designed to measure isometric index finger forces in different force directions. The validation study will evaluate the reliability of the dynamometer across recording sessions with regard to the maximum force, speed of contraction, amplitude of muscle activity (EMG) and discharge rate of motor units. The full extent of the project can be defined in detail depending on the type of thesis/project.

Requirements:

  • Solid Matlab and Python Knowledge
  • Experience in biomedical (in particular EMG) signal processing
  • Experience in mechanical / electrical design / CAD design beneficial

Supervisor:

Marius Oßwald, M. Sc.

Application:

Please apply with a cover letter, CV and transcripts to nsquared@fau.de.