Research Assistant in Biomechanics of Locomotion

Job description

Job Summary This is a research opportunity for graduating biomedical/mechanical engineers starting on or around July 2026 in the Bhandawat Lab. We study how animal behavior emerges from the complex interaction amongst the animal's nervous systems, their muscle-body dynamics, and their environment. We use fruit flies (Drosophila melanogaster) as our model organism because they perform many complex behaviors with a relatively simple brain, and because of the many genetic tools that are available in the flies. We employ a multi-pronged approach which includes in vivo whole-cell patch clamp recordings, imaging, and quantitative measurement of behavior, biomechanics and computation. For more information on research conducted in the Bhandawat lab, please check our website at http://biomed.drexel.edu/labs/bhandawat/ This position is grant-funded; employment is contingent upon the continued availability of those funds. Essential Functions: - Understand how neural activity, muscle properties, and the relation between muscle contraction and joint movement control the movement of a fly’s legs and the coordination between legs. In doing this research, the candidate will: - Do high-speed videog...