PhD Position in Robotics

Are you interested in conducting research at the intersection of robotics, mechatronics and biomechanics to improve physical human-robot interaction in healthcare applications? If so, the department of Cognitive Robotics at TU Delft wants you to help us develop improved bioawareness and control of robotic systems for use in rehabilitation and assistive robotics to improve both patient care and physician/worker assistance. We are seeking a highly motivated and ambitious PhD researcher to develop the next generation of assistive and therapeutic robotic systems and to evaluate the performance of these systems through simulation studies and physical experimentation with workers, patients and clinicians. The research will be conducted under the supervision of Dr. J. Micah Prendergast where you will combine knowledge of robotic perception and control with computational biomechanics to:

• Develop strategies for combining computer vision with biomechanical models to estimate real-time impacts to human muscles, tendons and joints.
• Design mechatronic systems for real-time feedback of forces applied by humans during complex motions.
• Incorporate these strategies and designs into assistive robotic control algorithms for physical therapy, medical screenings, worker assistance and other related application areas.

Requirements:

• an MSc (or equivalent) in robotics, mechatronics, computer science, mechanical engineering or related field by the start date
• demonstrate interest in human biomechanics and application of robotics in healthcare and rehabilitation
• proficiency in C++ and Python programming and experience developing real-time applications
• experience modeling robot and task dynamics using a physics-engine/multibody dynamics simulator and related APIs
• experience with computer vision in real-time applications is a plus
• willingness to use and contribute to opensource software: ROS, OpenSim, etc…
• excellent written and verbal English communication skills

Doing a PhD at TU Delft requires English proficiency at a certain level to ensure that the candidate is able to communicate and interact well, participate in English-taught Doctoral Education courses, and write scientific articles and a final thesis. For more details please check the Graduate Schools Admission Requirements .

Doctoral candidates will be offered a 4-year period of employment in principle, but in the form of 2 employment contracts. An initial 1,5 year contract with an official go/no go progress assessment within 15 months. Followed by an additional contract for the remaining 2,5 years assuming everything goes well and performance requirements are met.

Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, increasing from € 2770 per month in the first year to € 3539 in the fourth year. As a PhD candidate you will be enrolled in the TU Delft Graduate School. The TU Delft Graduate School provides an inspiring research environment with an excellent team of supervisors, academic staff and a mentor. The Doctoral Education Programme is aimed at developing your transferable, discipline-related and research skills.

The TU Delft offers a customisable compensation package, discounts on health insurance, and a monthly work costs contribution. Flexible work schedules can be arranged.

For international applicants, TU Delft has the Coming to Delft Service . This service provides information for new international employees to help you prepare the relocation and to settle in the Netherlands. The Coming to Delft Service offers a Dual Career Programme for partners and they organise events to expand your (social) network.

Delft University of Technology is built on strong foundations. As creators of the world-famous Dutch waterworks and pioneers in biotech, TU Delft is a top international university combining science, engineering and design. It delivers world class results in education, research and innovation to address challenges in the areas of energy, climate, mobility, health and digital society. For generations, our engineers have proven to be entrepreneurial problem-solvers, both in business and in a social context.

At TU Delft we embrace diversity as one of our core values and we actively engage to be a university where you feel at home and can flourish. We value different perspectives and qualities. We believe this makes our work more innovative, the TU Delft community more vibrant and the world more just. Together, we imagine, invent and create solutions using technology to have a positive impact on a global scale. That is why we invite you to apply. Your application will receive fair consideration.

Challenge. Change. Impact!

From chip to ship. From machine to human being. From idea to solution. Driven by a deep-rooted desire to understand our environment and discover its underlying mechanisms, research and education at the 3mE faculty focusses on fundamental understanding, design, production including application and product improvement, materials, processes and (mechanical) systems.

3mE is a dynamic and innovative faculty with high-tech lab facilities and international reach. It’s a large faculty but also versatile, so we can often make unique connections by combining different disciplines. This is reflected in 3mE’s outstanding, state-of-the-art education, which trains students to become responsible and socially engaged engineers and scientists. We translate our knowledge and insights into solutions to societal issues, contributing to a sustainable society and to the development of prosperity and well-being. That is what unites us in pioneering research, inspiring education and (inter)national cooperation.

Click here to go to the website of the Faculty of Mechanical, Maritime and Materials Engineering. Do you want to experience working at our faculty? These videos will introduce you to some of our researchers and their work.

For information about this vacancy and the selection procedure, please contact Dr. J. Micah Prendergast, Assistant Professor, email: [email protected].     

Are you interested in this vacancy? Please apply by the 31 January 2024 via the application button and upload:

• an up-to-date, detailed curriculum vitae (CV),
• a letter of motivation, and
• transcripts from a MSc program
• 2 reference persons, and
• (if applicable) 1 most relevant publication

When applying for this position, please refer to vacancy number TUD04761-COR.    

A pre-employment screening can be part of the selection procedure.

You can apply online. We will not process applications sent by email and/or post.

Please do not contact us for unsolicited services.