Position Description
The Department of Civil, Environmental, and Architectural Engineering, along with our interdisciplinary research team comprising experts in Civil Engineering, Neuroscience, and Computer Science at Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI), invites applications for a Postdoc or Ph.D. student position, starting in Spring or Fall 2025. The successful candidate will engage in cutting-edge research utilizing electroencephalography (EEG) and functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) technologies to explore neuroergonomics and neuroenvironmental design applications in architecture and construction. This position is particularly suitable for candidates with a background in biomedical engineering or civil engineering interested in applying their expertise to improve human interactions with built environments.
Key Research Areas
Neuroergonomics: Optimizing work environments and systems through understanding brain and behavior interactions.
Neuroenvironmental Design: Examining the impact of various architectural design and environments (e.g., temperature) on brain function and behavior.
1. Ph.D. Candidates
Ideal candidates will possess a strong academic background in disciplines such as Biomedical Engineering, Neuroscience, Architectural Engineering, Civil Engineering, or Cognitive Psychology. Key qualifications include:
A research assistantship, inclusive of a tuition waiver and a financial stipend, will be provided. You will be engaged in interdisciplinary research at the intersection of biomedical engineering, neuroscience, architecture, and construction.
To apply: Official applications should be completed using the online portal (https://gradapp.wpi.edu/apply/). Please also email a detailed Curriculum Vitae including GPA and TOEFL/IELTS score to Dr. Shichao Liu at sliu8@wpi.edu. GRE is recommended but not required. Please include the phrase “PhD applicant 2025” in the Subject line of the email.
2. Postdoctoral Candidates
The position requires:
- Research experience with EEG and/or fNIRs data collection from human participants and analysis toolbox such as EEG, Homer3, and others.
- Strong skills in programming for signal analysis
- In-depth knowledge of neuroscience and statistics
- A solid publication record in peer-reviewed journals
- Excellent oral communication skills
Compensation will follow WPI’s postdoctoral researcher guidelines (https://www.wpi.edu/offices/vice-provost-research/sponsored-programs/resources/institutional-information-rates ).
To apply: Please email a detailed Curriculum Vitae including two published papers to Dr. Shichao Liu at sliu8@wpi.edu.
