NSF Research Traineeship
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NSF Research Traineeship
Technology-Human Integrated Knowledge Education and Research
A graduate traineeship sponsored by the National Science Foundation to train the next generation of technical leaders in the interaction between humans and the Industrial Internet of Things, including managing and interpreting human and machine data, designing human-centric manufacturing systems, and working on large industrial problems in cross-institutional teams.
NSF Research Traineeship
Activites
THINKER is the first in the nation to bring together graduate students and technical college students in an advanced manufacturing program centered on education and research. The program will equip them with both technical skills and interpersonal skills, such as communication and collaboration.
Capstone Project
Graduate students in THINKER will be required to take courses on collaboration and career-development, along with cross-disciplinary technical courses in each of three key areas: manufacturing, data, and human integration. All students participate in an industry-driven capstone course with a cross-level, cross-disciplinary team.
Lead Teams
Teams will focus research on connecting human workers and Internet-connected machines that are often loaded with sensors and generating massive amounts of data. A wide range of projects may include developing new manufacturing processes or creating wearable devices that give workers feedback to improve quality.
Research
Students who enroll in THINKER will work with teams of graduate, undergraduate and technical college students in research projects suggested by industry. The idea is to recreate the dynamics that come into play when researchers, engineers, and technicians collaborate on projects in actual factories.
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Manufacturing Research and Education in the same place, at the same time.
Benefits
THINKER is aimed at creating well-prepared leaders who can help close the skills gap in advanced manufacturing. By going through the program, those leaders will understand the interaction of machines, people and data, organizers said. What will set them apart at graduation is a special designation showing they have completed the THINKER program in addition to their regular master’s or Ph.D. work.
Real-World Issues
Students will work directly with industrial sponsors at the new Clemson Vehicle Assembly Center, a research assembly line that replicates a real-world car factory. This collaboration is designed to tackle current issues affecting today’s economy.
Professional Workshops
Through the program, graduate students will understand the interaction of machines, people and data. Workshops will focus on communication, tiered leadership, and teamwork to produce well-prepared leaders who can help close the skills gap in advanced manufacturing.
Competitive Stipends
MS and Ph.D. students are eligible and encouraged to apply for the program; some participants will receive a competitive annual stipend (by selection, US citizens and permanent residents only). The program lasts 1 year for MS and 2 years for Ph.D.
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Dr. Laine Mears
professor and bmw smartstate chair in automotive manufacturing professor
NSF Research Traineeship
Now accepting applications
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