• Research Fellow - Michigan Cognitive and Adaptive…

    University of Michigan (Ann Arbor, MI)


    RESEARCH FELLOW - Michigan Cognitive and Adaptive Manufacturing Lab

     

    How to Apply

     

    To apply for this position, please email a cover letter and CV to Professor Jeffrey Abell at [email protected] , and include in your cover letter how your expertise relates to this posting.

     

    Contact: Jeffrey Abell

     

    Professor of Practice, Mechanical Engineering

     

    The University of Michigan, Department of Mechanical Engineering

     

    2350 Hayward Street, 3472 G. G. Brown Laboratory, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2125

    Job Summary

    Manufacturing is a highly complex field involving materials, machines, and processes that interact in ways we often don't fully understand. This complexity poses a significant challenge when we attempt to optimize manufacturing processes, introduce new materials, or enhance efficiency. While artificial intelligence (AI) has shown great promise in helping us identify patterns, make predictions, and drive innovation in manufacturing, understanding how some AI models make their predictions or decisions is very difficult. This 'black box' problem is a significant challenge, especially when manufacturers need to trust AI tools to improve production, quality, and safety.

     

    The M-CAML (Michigan Cognitive and Adaptive Manufacturing Lab) team aims to develop methods and tools for interpreting and explaining how powerful AI models make predictions and decisions in manufacturing. By seeing what's going on inside the 'black box', we can also uncover new scientific or engineering insights about the underlying manufacturing processes. The ability to interpret and explain AI models is called 'explainable AI' (XAI) and is an exciting and rapidly expanding research area.

     

    We will conduct a comprehensive study of AI models and architectures as well as methods, demonstrated, or projected, that are used to interpret mathematically different classes of AI models, and which we believe can be used in manufacturing contexts. The outcome of this work will be a validated compilation of quantitative information that will serve to project opportunities as well as baseline data set for assessing these methods and models.

     

    The objective is to actualize M-CAML's research agenda that attracts partners and collaborators across sectors (industry, government, academia) and horizons (short, medium, long-term). This research agenda will also support research in cognitive manufacturing, generative design of manufacturing systems, and Digital Twin architectures. We hope that you will consider becoming the newest member of the M-CAML team.

     

    Who We Are

     

    Michigan Engineers are world-class educators, researchers, students and staff who strive to build a people-first future. As part of a top national public research institution, Michigan Engineering's mission is to provide scientific and technological leadership to the people of the world, develop intellectually curious and socially conscious minds, create collaborative solutions to societal problems, and promote an inclusive and innovative community of service for the common good.

    Responsibilities*

    -Conduct a comprehensive literature review and extract relevant data

     

    -Analyze and validate via cross-check information obtained from the literature

     

    -Prepare manuscripts, proposals, and presentations

     

    -Advise student research assistants

    Required Qualifications*

    -PhD in an engineering discipline or a related field

     

    -Strong demonstrated verbal and written communication skills

    Desired Qualifications*

    -Familiarity with manufacturing systems and processes

     

    -Experience with machine learning and AI tools

     

    Modes of Work

     

    Positions that are eligible for hybrid or mobile/remote work mode are at the discretion of the hiring department. Work agreements are reviewed annually at a minimum and are subject to change at any time, and for any reason, throughout the course of employment. Learn more about thework modes (https://hr.umich.edu/working-u-m/my-employment/ways-we-work-resource-center/ways-we-work-implementation-group/modes-work) .

     

    Background Screening

     

    The University of Michigan conducts background checks on all job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent offer and may use a third party administrator to conduct background checks. Background checks are performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act.

     

    Application Deadline

     

    Job openings are posted for a minimum of seven calendar days. The review and selection process may begin as early as the eighth day after posting. This opening may be removed from posting boards and filled anytime after the minimum posting period has ended.

     

    U-M EEO Statement

     

    The University of Michigan is an equal employment opportunity employer.

     

    Job Detail

     

    Job Opening ID

     

    271071

     

    Working Title

     

    RESEARCH FELLOW - Michigan Cognitive and Adaptive Manufacturing Lab

     

    Job Title

    RESEARCH FELLOW

    Work Location

     

    Ann Arbor Campus

     

    Ann Arbor, MI

     

    Modes of Work

     

    Onsite

     

    Full/Part Time

     

    Full-Time

     

    Regular/Temporary

     

    Regular

     

    FLSA Status

     

    Exempt

     

    Organizational Group

     

    College Engineering

     

    Department

     

    Mechanical Engineering

     

    Posting Begin/End Date

     

    11/19/2025 - 12/03/2025

     

    Salary

     

    $62,232.00 - $67,000.00

     

    Career Interest

     

    Research Fellows