Position Description

The School of Engineering Technology at Purdue University is offering one or two funded PhD positions starting in Fall 2025. The selected candidate(s) will join Dr. Farid El Breidi’s research group in the Digital Technologies Laboratory. Research focuses on the development and application of digital reality technologies, including Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR), Mixed Reality (MR), and Extended Reality (XR), for workforce development, engineering education, digital twins, and teleoperation applications. The positions aim to prepare candidates for academic careers through impactful research, teaching practice, and scholarly activities.

Qualifications

• A B.S. or M.S. degree in Mechanical or Industrial Engineering, or a related field.
• GPA of 3.5 or higher.
• Experience in manufacturing, simulations, digital twins, or XR technologies.
• Strong writing, communication, and teamwork skills.
• Prior research experience, including publications.

Preferred Qualifications

• Familiarity with Unity.
• Interest in XR, engineering technology, and education.

Research Topics/Area

• Advancing digital reality systems for manufacturing and mechanical applications.
• Designing tools for workforce development and training.
• Exploring immersive technologies for teleoperation in industrial and manufacturing environments.
• Developing personalized learning platforms using XR systems.

Project Details

Research is conducted in the Digital Technologies Laboratory with funding from external agencies, including the National Science Foundation. The lab provides access to state-of-the-art resources and facilities for digital reality systems research.

Funding

Positions are funded through either a Teaching Assistantship (TA) or Research Assistantship (RA). Continued funding is contingent upon satisfactory research, teaching performance, and academic progress.

Apply

To apply, submit your C.V. and unofficial transcripts to Dr. Farid El Breidi at breidi@purdue.edu. Application review begins on November 25, 2024, and continues until the positions are filled.

About PI/Dr./Professor

Dr. Farid El Breidi leads research in digital reality technologies for engineering and education applications, with a focus on innovative workforce development and immersive technologies for manufacturing.

Application Deadline

Application review begins November 25, 2024, and remains open until positions are filled.

About University

Purdue University is renowned for its strong engineering programs and research excellence. The School of Engineering Technology provides robust graduate opportunities, emphasizing cutting-edge innovation in applied research.

About the Location

West Lafayette, Indiana, is a vibrant college town known for its community spirit, affordable living, and access to leading engineering and industrial research hubs.