We are seeking to build a lab with dynamic students and researchers of diverse backgrounds and skillsets who are passionate for developing robotic systems and algorithms that will have high societal impact. We are interested in robotics applications including autonomous navigation, healthcare, search and rescue, rehabilitation, and urban air mobility.


Join the MPALA Lab

Potential students and researchers should be familiar with our work (see Research and Publications pages) and justify their research interests. If you are interested in joining our lab, send us an email at kont@umd.edu prior submitting your application and include the following items.
  • Title: Interested in joining the MPALA Lab
  • Express interest in a specific job opening (if any)
  • Research background and experience including any projects that you participated and/or publications (even work in progress)
  • Research interests including some publications that you liked from our lab (see Publications page)
  • Attach your CV, publications, and transcripts

Lab Diversity Statement

We are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive environment for the MPALA Lab. We recognize that minorities and under-represented groups, including women, people of color, LGBTQ+, immigrants, and native Americans have been historically marginalized and overlooked. We firmly believe that some of the most important breakthrough discoveries and impactful contributions in research originate from diverse groups with out-of-the-box thinking.

To this end, we are committed to:
  • Create and maintain a diverse group of people by welcoming individuals regardless of country of origin, gender, sexual orientation, class, race, cultural background, and disabilities
  • Strive to secure funding for all of our students and researchers
  • Mentor and promote educational resources to all of our lab members
  • Help students develop their self-confidence and at the same time convey that the lab is a place of mutual respect
  • Educate all group members about cultural norms to create a respectful environment

Two PhD positions available

Both positions will start in Fall 2024 and they are fully funded (tuition and monthly stipend included). If you are interested, send us an email at kont@umd.edu prior submitting your application or include Dr. Kontoudis' name as your potential supervisor in your statement of purpose. Alternatively, you can speak in-person with Dr. Kontoudis in the upcoming IROS after coordinating with him via email. Note, that the deadline for PhD applications in both Mechanical Engineering and Robotics is December 15. You can find more information about admission requirements for graduate student applicants to Mines here.

Topic 1: Multi-robot active learning and motion planning
  • Related research in our lab: [IROS23] | [TNNLS23] | [arXiv22] | [DARS22]
  • Basic requirements
    • Self-motivated students with passion for robotics and machine learning
    • Bachelor's degree in robotics, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, computer science, or related field
    • Coding experience in MATLAB and Python
    • Relevant coursework in linear algebra and probability theory
    • Good writing and speaking skills in English (see the minimum requirements for admission to Mines here)
  • Desired skills
    • Master's degree in robotics, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, computer science, or related field
    • Coding experience in C/C++ and Julia
    • Hardware experience with real-life robotic systems using ROS
    • Relevant coursework in robotics and/or machine learning
    • Experience in paper writing
Topic 2: Bi-manual manipulation with adaptive robot hands
  • Related research in our lab: [HUMANOIDS19] | [FRONTIERS19] | [CHAPTER22] | [IROS23]
  • Basic requirements
    • Self-motivated students with passion for robotics and mechatronics
    • Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering, robotics, electrical engineering, computer science, or related field
    • Coding experience in MATLAB
    • Design experience in Solidworks
    • Relevant coursework in mechanical design and control systems
    • Good writing and speaking skills in English (see the minimum requirements for admission to Mines here)
  • Desired skills
    • Master's degree in mechanical engineering, robotics, electrical engineering, computer science, or related field
    • Experience in fast prototyping techniques such as 3D printing and/or laser cutting
    • Hardware experience with real-life robotic systems using ROS
    • Relevant coursework in robotics and/or mechatronics
    • Experience in paper writing