Student Opportunities

There are plenty of opportunities to come work with me! You can email me at zhu (at) higp.hawaii.edu and frankie.zhu (at) mines.edu with your CV and interests.

I’m looking for graduate students and a postdoctoral scholar in the field of spacecraft systems engineering, dynamics, controls, or machine learning with a keen interest in integrating planetary science into their research. Here’s an updated overview of my research so that you can get a better feel of how you could fit in. I strongly recommend you watch this video and think about research questions that you want to pursue if you work with me:

Please scroll below for specific opportunities!

Learning Dynamics of Robots in Extreme Environments

Looking for Master’s students, PhD students, and a postdoctoral scholar to study in person in:

  • Various robot morphologies (% of my research portfolio): legged or wheeled ground robots (60%), satellites (20%), underwater vehicles (20%), aerial vehicles (potential)

  • Various terrains in space (the Moon and Mars) and on Earth: soft soil, icy, uneven ground (60%), orbit (20%), fluid flows (20%)

  • Develop new methods combining classical mechanics of machine learning

  • Various funding agencies: National Aeronautics and Space Agency, National Science Foundation, Department of Defense

Skills in order of preference:

  • Dynamics and controls, augmented by differential equations and linear algebra

  • Machine learning, which includes computer science and data science

  • Experiment design, such as configuring testbed and sensors to map to desired data products

  • Writing and running algorithms on embedded computers and simulations

  • Ability to communicate technical concepts through presentations and papers

  • Familiarity with robotic technologies, such as mechatronics

  • Desire to contribute to space exploration

What you will gain:

  • Highly sought-after skills for ground and space robotics

  • Deep relationships with government or industry collaborators

  • Breadth of networking opportunities on campus and at conferences

  • Opportunity to travel and communicate your work

  • Mentorship and advising for your long-term professional career

  • Entrepreneurial environment and resources if you want to spin off a startup

Screenshot of rover on terrain in Taro-Soil Contact Model simulation, developed by the RoSE lab

Why go to grad school? Not everyone should.

  • Your dream job requires or likely needs you to have one

  • You’re fascinated by the subject and love learning

Why at Mines?

  • Top graduate programs in Space Resources and Robotics

  • Top engineering college broadly

  • Proximity to industry and wealth of resources for entrepreneurship

  • Cute town close to the mountains with a tight-knit small-town vibe (festivals)

Why with me?

  • One of the few faculty with the intersection of expertise in dynamics and controls, aerospace engineering, and machine learning

  • Young and a lot of energy (read as thirsty)

  • Diversity, equity, and inclusion advocate

  • I am deeply invested in securing jobs for students post-graduation (and I’m good at this; check out my student alumni)

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National Science Foundation: Artificial Intelligence Institute in Dynamic Systems

Wanted: Graduate Student and Post Doctoral Researcher

Developing physics-informed ML methods, demonstrating their application, and training the next generation in these techniques, presents a significant interdisciplinary challenge that will require a coordinated effort best served by a large team united under a single institute with a common goal. Our team represents an intellectually and geographically diverse set of faculty with exceptional strength in all four critical disciplines required for developing foundational AI methods, with a mix of theorists and experimentalists.

Topics include:

  • Model discovery: Towards Parsimony and Interpretable ML

  • Robust Reinforcement Learning

  • Safety Online Optimal Control

  • Leveraging Predictions in Online Decision Making

  • Uncertainty Quantification for Safe Reinforcement Learning.

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Robotic Space Exploration (RoSE) Vertically Integrated Project (VIP)

Goals: The RoSE VIP team will formulate robotic methods in dynamics, control, and autonomy for space exploration and science applications. We strive to foster technical and social mentorship and continuity by welcoming undergraduates of all levels with a commitment to stay on this project for at least a year.
Key elements: autonomy, robotics, planetary science
Research issues: dynamics, controls, systems engineering, and machine learning for space applications
Majors, preparation, interests: aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, computer science, computer engineering, planetary science, astronomy

Stemworks Internship

HSFL had the honor to host and mentor three high school students, Kalila, Ethan, and DeZsa. They did a fantastic job working with us in developing HIAPO and Artemis satellite parts. We wish them the very best for those going off to university and welcome them back for future summers. If you’d also like to participate through StemWorks, please visit this link!

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Undergraduate Student Positions

  • Mechanical Student Intern: responsible for Attitude Determination, Controls, and Sensing subsystem, Thermal subsystem, and Structures subsystem of CubeSat Kit

  • Avionics Student Intern: responsible for the Communications subsystem, Electrical Power subsystem, and OnBoard Computer subsystem of the CubeSat Kit

  • Software Student Intern: responsible for the flight software living on the various electronic boards and the interface with the users/operators

  • Science Communications Intern: responsible for interfacing with the public through a website, social media accounts, and educational videos

Artemis Student CubeSat Kit

The university will generate hands-on learning opportunities related to orbital and suborbital CubeSats containing all of the subsystems of a fully functioning passive satellite. Each CubeSat will include onboard computing, communication components, dynamic sensors, an infrared camera and an electrical power system. The hands-on learning opportunities will be supplemented with online learning resources. The grant will also be used to assist CubeSat projects from states that are not yet part of NASA’s CubeSat Launch Initiative. This team will include undergraduate students from the University of Hawaii in Honolulu. A broad network of students from Hawaii and Washington will be included in performing the initial evaluation of the learning products.

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ESVI: Earth Science on Volcanic Islands

Reseach Experience for Undergraduates (REU)
Summer 2020 (1 June – 31 July):

The ESVI REU Program at UHM offers 10 motivated undergraduates the opportunity to engage in independent research alongside scientist mentors at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa. Participants in this 9-week program receive a stipend of $5,000 plus travel and room/board. Students also participate in field trips to sites of active volcanism and a short marine expedition on a research vessel.

Research Interests

I develop intelligent robots that autonomously navigate and probe scientific hotbeds in extreme terrains on Earth, like glaciers, hydrothermal vents, and underwater volcanoes, which offer analogues to space environments and independently have scientific value. The ultimate goal of my research is to create algorithms that completely automate the planetary surface exploration process. I typically work with students who have a strong foundation in physics, math, computer programming, and mechanical engineering. I expect my students to have a passion in interfacing with scientists, delving into topics like terramechanics modeling, control policy, and machine learning methods, and building robots.

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HSGC University Research Internships

The University of Hawai‘i Space Grant Consortium (HSGC), as a participant in the National Space Grant College and Fellowship Program, invites applicants for HSGC University Research Internships (HSGC URI) to support original research projects in the fields relevant to NASA's goals as defined in its current Strategic Plan. The program expands opportunities for U.S. citizens to participate in NASA's aeronautics and space programs by supporting and enhancing science and engineering education, research, and outreach programs.

Potential Projects

  • Develop a machine learning decision maker that tells the robot the next location to sample based upon science measurements at current location. Then generate way-points to get from the current to the next location on extreme terrain

  • Design and fabricate an extreme terrain wheeled rover with the option of remote control or autonomous control. Demonstrate traversal of extreme terrain

  • Create a computer simulation that simulates lunar or Martian rover dynamics and relates terramechanical parameter to field sites on Hawai‘i