Assistant Professor Computational Modelling and Control of Precision Robotics

Would you love to make an impact with your research? Work at a true campus university with a pleasant atmosphere? And immediately appoint your own PhD candidate? Then you will find this role an excellent fit.

About the job

As an assistant professor you will work at the Department Mechanics of Solids Surfaces and Systems (MS3). Here you will develop ground-breaking research projects in close collaboration with your colleagues and the industry. The Precision Engineering group - to which this department belongs - works closely with renowned industrial partners. You can read more about the research below.

In addition, you will be participating in teaching the Bachelor programme of mechanical engineering and the Master programme of robotics and mechanical engineering. You will supervise students in their graduation assignment, and you will contribute towards the supervision of the PhD candidate(s).

In this role you will also have the opportunity to directly appoint your own PhD. And in time, there are opportunities to grow into the role of Associate Professor. All your work takes place on the beautiful, green campus in Twente. Want to know more about the UT? Take a look here: [green campus University of Twente](https://www.utwente.nl/en/organisation/careers/career/why-university-of-... )

About the research and the department

The position is in the group of Precision Engineering of the Faculty of Engineering Technology (ET). This young and enthusiastic group consists of 5 researchers and teachers. Their research focuses on developing new methods for the precision design, dynamics, optimization and control of robots and high-tech mechatronic systems. As an assistant professor you will become an expert in one or two topics, and for the other topics you will collaborate with fellow experts.

This research aims to initiate, design and develop technical solutions for societal problems of today and tomorrow. Such technology involves "Intelligent Mechatronic Systems" in which an optimal mechanical subsystem with integrated actuators, sensors and advanced control system is developed. Application areas are e.g. high-tech equipment, such as nano-accurate positioning for microsystems and semiconductor equipment, scientific instrumentation, agri-food applications, such as automated product handling, and precision medical equipment.

The modelling and fundamental understanding of high-tech systems and robotics are essential in the development of controlled precision systems. In particular the kinematic, static and dynamic behaviour play a central role in the predictable behaviour essential for precision systems. On the one hand models are becoming increasingly complex and on the other hand it is key to only capture the essentials to strongly reduce computation time. This is an important prerequisite for optimization and model-based control of precision systems. Hence, it is tightly connected to the discipline of systems and control, which focusses on the fundamentals of ensuring that dynamical engineering systems can operate with the desired performance.