PhD on Soft Robotics

Department(s)

Mechanical Engineering

Reference number

V35.5129

Soft robotic systems and/or actuators is a rapidly developing field of engineering. It is booming now due to recent advances in 3D manufacturing which made it possible to produce flexible structures rapidly and at low costs. It is expected that the soft robots can replace conventional robots in the areas where a safe human-robot interaction is critical to accomplish the task.

This project will focus on self-propelled soft robots and soft actuators and their modeling and control, and includes problems as modeling flexible structures, embedded sensors (how to measure angles/positions/curvatures), manufacturing flexible robots with 3D printers, and cooperative control of pneumatically actuated soft structures.

The PhD candidate is expected to study and explore new possibilities for self-propelled soft robots. The project is aimed at making a demo setup different from what is usually demonstrated as a soft robot.

An intensive collaboration within the department (e.g. soft robotics researchers), between departments, and between universities is expected. The project will be closely connected to the 4TU Soft Robotics program (www.dutchsoftrobotics.nl ).

About the group

In the section Dynamics and Control research focuses on the modeling, analysis and control of mechanical systems in a broad sense. This encompasses typical areas as mechatronics, modern vehicle control and last but not least automation of mechanical systems. The latter subject is nowadays a key driver for research in robotics. Besides various more industrial robotic applications in industry and agriculture, an important field is formed by robots for care and for cure. Though very different in usage, both directions have great potential for the future of mankind. A recent very relevant development in robotics for care and cure is framed as soft robotics where because of the very nature of a soft robot, human-robot interaction and safety is of primal importance.

We are looking for a recently graduated, talented, enthusiastic candidate with affinity for Soft Robotics holding an MSc in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Physics or equivalent. A strong interest in modeling and control, soft actuation and manufacturing is needed, as well as the willingness to look beyond the borders of his or her own discipline and a strong motivation to work in a multidisciplinary project. Programming/modeling skills, excellent communication skills and written/verbal knowledge of the English language are required.

• A meaningful job in a dynamic and ambitious university with the possibility to present your work at international conferences.
• A full-time employment for four years, with an intermediate evaluation (go/no-go) after nine months.
• To develop your teaching skills, you will spend 10% of your employment on teaching tasks.
• To support you during your PhD and to prepare you for the rest of your career, you will make a Training and Supervision plan and you will have free access to a personal development program for PhD students (PROOF program ).
• A gross monthly salary and benefits (such as a pension scheme, pregnancy and maternity leave, partially paid parental leave) in accordance with the Collective Labor Agreement for Dutch Universities.
• Additionally, an annual holiday allowance of 8% of the yearly salary, plus a year-end allowance of 8.3% of the annual salary.
• Should you come from abroad and comply with certain conditions, you can make use of the so-called ‘30% facility’, which permits you not to pay tax on 30% of your salary.
• A broad package of fringe benefits, including an excellent technical infrastructure, moving expenses, and savings schemes.
• Family-friendly initiatives are in place, such as an international spouse program, and excellent on-campus children day care and sports facilities.

More information

Do you recognize yourself in this profile and would you like to know more About the positions? Please contact
dr.ir. I.A. Kuling, i.a.kuling[at]tue.nl.

For information about terms of employment, click here or contact HRServices.Gemini[at]tue.nl

Please visit www.tue.nl/jobs to find out more about working at TU/e!

Application

We invite you to submit a complete application by using the 'apply now'-button on this page.
The application should include a:

• Cover letter in which you describe your motivation and qualifications for the position.
• Curriculum vitae, including a list of your publications and the contact information of
  three references.
• Brief description of your MSc thesis.

We look forward to your application and will screen it as soon as we have received it.
Screening will continue until the position has been filled.

We do not respond to applications that are sent to us in a different way.

Please keep in mind you can upload only 5 documents up to 2 MB each. If necessary please combine files.