RE-ADVERTISEMENT: A Postdoc Position in Development of Artificial…

Are you interested in Biomimetic Sensors, and can you contribute developing new Artificial Skins? Then the Department of Mechanical and Production Engineering (MPE) at Aarhus University, invites you to apply for a 2-year postdoc position and join the “BECHATRON” research group to conduct state-of-the-art research on the design and fabrication of a new bioinspired artificial mechanoreceptor.

The project is fully funded by Novo Nordisk Foundation in Denmark and applicant from both European and non-European centenaries are welcome to apply. The initial contract will be for two years, but it can be extended for one additional year.

The main goal is to develop a new type of soft sensor, called artificial mechanoreceptor, to mimic the touch capability of human skin. Inspiring by the mechanoreceptors in our skins the project aims to design and fabricate a network of ionic microchannels that transduce the mechanical deformation into an electric signal. From an application standpoint, this project has great potential to be implemented many future technologies such as smart prosthetic limbs, humanoid robots. etc.

Expected start date and duration of employment
This is a two–year position from 01.05.2023. or as soon possible.

Job description
This project is multidisciplinary research that encompasses design, fabrication, and measurement. Accordingly, by joining the project you will be involved in the following tasks:

• Design of the sensor and more specifically ionic microchannels and electronic circuit.
• Developing the ionic micro-channels using micro/nano fabrication techniques specifically soft lithography.
• Developing flexible electronic circuits.
• Measurement of the sensor’s output signal and testing its performance.
• Mentoring graduate students who work on similar topics.
• Preparing the research manuscripts based on your research outcomes.

Share your research findings with the science society by attending conferences and publishing scientific journals.

Your profile
The qualified candidate should hold a PhD degree with a background in either Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Material Sciences, Physics, or related disciplines.

It is expected that the candidate has the expertise and research experience in the following areas: microfluidics, soft electronics, soft lithography, micro/nano fabrication techniques, wearable devices, sensors and actuators, data acquisition, and labview programming.

Knowing the basics of photography along with photo/video editing software and 3D modeling software would be highly valued, although these are not part of the requirements for the position.

The candidate should also be able to collaborate in an interdisciplinary team. Appropriate communication skills in English, in both speech and writing, are required.

Who we are
Department of Mechanical and Production Engineering at Aarhus University comprises four sections: Design and Manufacturing, Fluids and Energy, Mechatronics and Dynamics, and Mechanics and Materials.

The BECHATRON Research group is a part of the Mechatronics and Dynamics section. In BECHATRON we focus on the development of novel mechatronic systems based on real biological mechanisms. Most of the projects in our group are multidisciplinary research projects that require vast knowledge and background from multiple fields. Bridging different disciplines of science and engineering we are trying to solve the existing problems of current technologies that are not able to be solved through traditional engineering disciplines. The focus of the group is the development of new soft sensors and actuators using micro/nano fabrication techniques.
What we offer
As a postdoctoral researcher, you will be a valuable member of the group and the MPE department at Aarhus University.
The department offers:

• a well-developed research infrastructure, laboratories, and access to shared equipment
• an exciting interdisciplinary environment with many national, international, and industrial collaborators
• a research climate encouraging lively, open, and critical discussion within and across different fields of research
• a work environment with close working relationships, networking, and social activities
• a workplace characterized by professionalism and equality.
• a healthy work-life balance by working 37 hours per week.
• relatively high salary based on the candidate’s experience.

Place of work and area of employment
The place of work is Department of Mechanical and Production Engineering, Katrinebjergvej 89 G-F, 8200 Aarhus, Denmark.

The area of employment is Aarhus University with related departments.
Contact information
For further information, please contact: Assistant Professor, Rassoul Tabassian,
Email: [email protected]
Tel.: +45 9352 2708
Deadline
Applications must be received no later than February 27th, 2023.

Previously submitted applications will be taken into consideration unless they are withdrawn.

Application procedure
Shortlisting is used. This means that after the deadline for applications – and with the assistance from the assessment committee chairman, and the appointment committee if necessary, – the head of department selects the candidates to be evaluated. All applicants will be notified whether or not their applications have been sent to an expert assessment committee for evaluation. The selected applicants will be informed about the composition of the committee, and each applicant is given the opportunity to comment on the part of the assessment that concerns him/her self. Once the recruitment process is completed a final letter of rejection is sent to the deselected applicants.Letter of reference
If you want a referee to upload a letter of reference on your behalf, please state the referee’s contact information when you submit your application. We strongly recommend that you make an agreement with the person in question before you enter the referee’s contact information, and that you ensure that the referee has enough time to write the letter of reference before the application deadline.
Unfortunately, it is not possible to ensure that letters of reference received after the application deadline will be taken into consideration.Formalities and salary range
Technical Sciences refers to the Ministerial Order on the Appointment of Academic Staff at Danish Universities under the Danish Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation .

The application must be in English and include a curriculum vitae, degree certificate, a complete list of publications, a statement of future research plans and information about research activities, teaching portfolio and verified information on previous teaching experience (if any). Guidelines for applicants can be found here.

Appointment shall be in accordance with the collective labour agreement between the Danish Ministry of Taxation and the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations. Further information on qualification requirements and job content may be found in the Memorandum on Job Structure for Academic Staff at Danish Universities .

Salary depends on seniority as agreed between the Danish Ministry of Taxation and the Confederation of Professional Associations.

Aarhus University’s ambition is to be an attractive and inspiring workplace for all and to foster a culture in which each individual has opportunities to thrive, achieve and develop. We view equality and diversity as assets, and we welcome all applicants.

Research activities will be evaluated in relation to actual research time. Thus, we encourage applicants to specify periods of leave without research activities, in order to be able to subtract these periods from the span of the scientific career during the evaluation of scientific productivity.

Aarhus University offers a broad variety of services for international researchers and accompanying families, including relocation service and career counselling to expat partners. Read more here . Please find more information about entering and working in Denmark here .

Aarhus University also offers a Junior Researcher Development Programme targeted at career development for postdocs at AU. You can read more about it here .

The application must be submitted via Aarhus University’s recruitment system, which can be accessed under the job advertisement on Aarhus University’s website.

Aarhus University
Aarhus University is an academically diverse and research-intensive university with a strong commitment to high-quality research and education and the development of society nationally and globally. The university offers an inspiring research and teaching environment to its 38,000 students (FTEs) and 8,000 employees, and has an annual revenues of EUR 885 million. Learn more at www.international.au.dk/