Postdoctoral Research Associate - Embodied AI Lab Automation: Vision-Guided Real Time Robotic M[...]

Overview Brookhaven National Laboratory’s National Synchrotron Light Source II (NSLS‑II) is seeking a Postdoctoral Research Associate to develop an automated protein crystal harvesting system at the Center for BioMolecular Structure (CBMS). The successful candidate will design vision‑guided robotic manipulation capabilities for detecting, tracking, and harvesting fragile micron‑scale protein crystals suspended in liquid droplets. Working closely with a multidisciplinary team of crystallographers, beamline scientists, controls engineers, mechanical engineers, and data scientists, the candidate will integrate computer vision, machine learning, and robotic manipulation into an automated crystal harvesting platform. Essential Duties and Responsibilities Develop and implement vision‑guided real‑time robotic manipulation methods for crystal harvesting. Design and deploy closed‑loop perception and control pipelines using visual feedback. Contribute to vision‑based servoing approaches for precise, real‑time positioning. Integrate perception outputs with motion planning and execution using ROS2 and MoveIt2. Perform system calibration (hand‑eye calibration, camera calibration) to ensure accurate 3D spatial alignment. Evaluate and improve system robustness, including perception uncertainty and failure modes. Collaborate closely with domain experts across crystallography, controls, and engineering. Participate in system testing, tuning, and performance evaluation. Document methods and results; contribute to reports, publications, and presentations. Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Ph.D. in Robotics, Computer Science, Physics, Applied Mathematics, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering or a related field. Demonstrated experience developing and implementing robotics systems. Strong programming skills in Python and/or C++. Knowledge of robotic systems: Robot kinematics and coordinate transformations. Motion planning and trajectory generation. Calibration methods. Proven track record in disseminating scientific results in the form of publications or conference presentations. Preferred Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Experience developing robotic systems that integrate vision‑guided control in real‑world settings. Experience working with ROS2‑based ecosystems. Experience with camera calibration, hand‑eye calibration, and coordinate frame registration. Experience integrating machine learning models into robotics. Familiarity with: Micro‑Manipulation. Sensor fusion or state estimation. Real‑time system debugging and performance tuning. What Success Looks Like Development of a system capable of reliably detecting and localizing protein crystals. Implementation of closed‑loop robotic manipulation using visual feedback. Improved robustness and reliability of the crystal harvesting process under real‑world conditions. Additional Information This is an on‑site position based at Brookhaven National Laboratory in Upton, New York. This position is a 2‑year term, with the possibility of renewal contingent on performance and funding availability. Salary and Benefits Brookhaven Laboratory is committed to fair, equitable, and competitive compensation. The full salary range for this position is $71,900–$119,000 per year, commensurate with experience. Benefits information is available through the BNL Benefits Program. Eligibility Requirements Eligible candidates for research associate appointments may not exceed a combined total of 5 years of relevant work experience as a post‑doc and/or in an R&D position, excluding time associated with family planning, military service, illness, or other life‑changing events. Equal Opportunity / Affimative Action Employer Brookhaven Science Associates is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply; individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation. *VEVRAA Federal Contractor #J-18808-Ljbffr Brookhaven National Laboratory