Summer Internship 2025

We are offering an internship position for Summer 2025, with a flexible start date from late June/early July - early/mid September, lasting a minimum of 8 weeks.

The application form can be found here

We are looking for someone who will have completed the final year of their undergraduate degree or their masters degree by their internship start date. We have a preference for students who have secured some funding to support the internship, although all are welcome to apply. We will provide additional funding as required by the student.

The closing date is 17:00 on Tuesday 15th April 2025. Interviews for the top candidates will be held between 22nd and 25th April 2025. The selected candidate will be notified on Monday 28th April by 17:00.

Details of the project are listed below.

Aims of the project
Motor augmentation enhances or extends human motor capabilities using technology, and may take a physical (e.g. robotic limbs, extra fingers) or neuromuscular (e.g. EMG-based control and biofeedback) approach. It aims to improve performance or aid in the development of new abilities beyond biological constraints, such as the integration of supernumerary limbs or enhanced muscular control. Both approaches rely on developing proprioceptive awareness—whether through learning to integrate a robotic limb with natural movement or refining muscle coordination and awareness in yoga. Yoga trains the brain to synchronize specific muscles for precise control, much like rehabilitation strengthens neural pathways. Similarly, using an additional robotic body part requires adapting movement strategies and sensorimotor feedback to integrate it seamlessly with the body.

Both studies use empirical testing to explore the mechanisms of motor learning, either during natural movement practices (e.g. yoga) or using a robotic augmentation device (the Third Thumb, a supernumerary robotic thumb) as participants complete behavioral tasks that challenge them to develop new movement abilities. We will study sensorimotor learning throughout training, exploring how to best optimize learning using biofeedback and machine learning to enhance training efficacy.

Ultimately, this research advances our understanding of the neural mechanisms behind motor control and the development of expertise, paving the way for more effective strategies to optimize and enhance human movement capabilities.

Internship role
The main role of the student during the internship will be assisting with experimental paradigms and data collection across a range of studies involving motion tracking, robotic limbs and the development of wearable technologies using EMG and biofeedback. We are looking for hard-working and motivated students with a keen interest in sensorimotor neuroscience to work with our lab across several ambitious projects. Specifics will be tailored with the student based on interest, skill set and lab needs. Excellent organization, communication and people skills are vital. Previous data collection experience is desirable, as is experience with programming and/or signal processing, and an interest in physiology and body movement.

Skills developed
In return, students will learn from their involvement in running a motor augmentation study with strong real world components requiring substantial technological and programming setup, gaining experience with techniques such as EMG, motion tracking, biofeedback, robotic limbs and technical data collection. They will also benefit from experience interacting with participants, as well as a unique insight into designing and implementing motor augmentation studies across physical and neuromuscular approaches. They will also participate in weekly lab meetings, engaging with scientific content and training opportunities.

Further reading: Kieliba et al (2021) ; Clode et al (2024); Schone et al (2023) ; Parajuli et al (2019); Krakauer et al (2019); CTRL-labs at Reality Labs et al (2024)

Click here to go to the application page

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