Ph.D. Studying Neuromechanics to protect war-fighters and spacefarers

Dr. Yakovenko and Dr. Gritsenko are recruiting two highly motivated Ph.D. candidates to drive twin, fully funded research programs that merge physics-grounded neuromechanics with cutting-edge artificial intelligence. Backed by an Air Force award, you will help build modular neural-network architectures that learn human movement from the inside out—stacking pre-trained models to produce faster, leaner digital twins for resilient performance. Simultaneously, our new NASA project pushes the same technology off-world: developing an onboard, wearable-sensor AI that can detect and predict neuromuscular decline in astronauts en route to the Moon and Mars.

You will collect high-resolution motion-capture and EMG data, craft physics-informed deep-learning pipelines, and validate them in head-down-tilt analogs, parabolic flights, and advanced gait labs at WVU’s Neuromechanics and Engineering and Neuroengineering and Rehabilitation Labs. The positions provide a competitive stipend, full tuition, and the chance to collaborate directly with AFRL scientists and the NASA Human Research Program. Candidates should bring solid coding skills in Python or MATLAB and a passion for understanding how brains, bodies, and machines co-evolve. Space enthusiasts are needed. 

If you are ready to turn human movement into code that protects war-fighters and spacefarers alike, send a CV, unofficial transcripts, and a one-page research statement to Dr. Sergiy Yakovenko (seyakovenko@mix.wvu.edu) or Dr. Valeriya Gritsenko (vgritsenko@mix.wvu.edu) (with “Ph.D. application” in the subject line. Priority review ends 7 July 2025, with positions open until filled.