CU-ICAR Announces PhD Research Assistantship Opening

	One student will be offered up to three years of tuition and a competitive stipend, renewed annually based upon performance, through a PhD Research Assistantship for the Clemson University International Center for Automotive Research (CU-ICAR).

SEMA and the Clemson University International Center for Automotive Research (CU-ICAR) established a strategic partnership in 2009 that focused on the future of the automotive and the specialty-equipment industries. To learn more about this program and how it benefits students and SEMA-member companies, watch the latest CU-ICAR/SEMA Partnership video.

Recently, CU-ICAR announced that one position will be available starting May or August 2013 (based on student availability) in the research center's automotive engineering department. The focus of the three-year project is on sustaining workforce capabilities.

One student will be offered up to three years of tuition and a competitive stipend, renewed annually based upon performance. The student’s dissertation topic will be directly related to the project concepts and activities. In addition, the selected student will be identified as a BMW Group PhD Scholar. The goal of the BMW PhD Program is to improve competence in areas of strategic importance to the company. The student will work closely with a BMW industrial mentor in addition to their research advisor, and have access to BMW industrial training programs and opportunities for internship at BMW facilities through a global exchange program with other scholars.

Candidates are expected to be accepted into the Automotive Engineering PhD Program and 1) have a Master’s degree in an applicable engineering field (automotive, human factors, industrial, mechanical, manufacturing), 2) background/experience or interest in human factors/ergonomics, 3) related work experience in manufacturing or human factors, 4) U.S. citizenship or permanent residency is required, and 5) the ability to travel to Germany for several weeks periodically during the project progress. Basic German language skills are preferred.

Exemplary candidates will have previous relevant work experience in an automotive manufacturing environment and be fluent in spoken and written German. For information, visit Clemson’s Department of Automotive Engineering website.

Interested candidates should forward a résumé and letter stating how each of the background requirements are satisfied to: Dr. Johnell Brooks at jobrook@clemson.edu with the subject line “BMW Scholar Search.” Applications received by February 15, 2013, will be given full consideration. The position will remain open until a qualified applicant is selected.