PhD positions in Soft Robotics (2.0 FTE)

Functieomschrijving

The Robotics group at the University of Groningen has two vacancies for doctoral students on soft robotics. The two PhD positions will be part of the European Horizon2020 project MAGNIFY. The goal of MAGNIFY is to design and realize a new generation of artificial muscles for robotic systems, characterized by high force-to-weight ratio, high flexibility, fast reacting properties, and intrinsic rigidity tuning. The project will use artificial molecular machines, organized in polymer electrospun nanofibers and controlled by electrical stimuli, to realize an artificial macroscopic muscle.

The two PhD positions focus on: (i) the design and fabrication of the different stages of the artificial muscle; (ii) electromechanical characterization of the artificial muscle; iii) development of (analytical, numerical, predictive) models; (iv) development of (non-linear) control techniques; (v) experimental validation.

Functie-eisen

The successful candidates should have:
• a Master’s degree in mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, chemical engineering, applied physics, or in closely related disciplines
• excellent skills and practical experience in one or more of the following research areas: (soft) robotics, systems and control, MEMs, material science, nanofabrication and electrospinning
• strong academic credentials
• written and spoken English proficiency.

Conditions

The University of Groningen offers a salary of € 2,222 gross per month in the first year, up to a maximum of € 2,840 gross per month in the fourth and final year (in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities CAO NU), based on a full-time position (1.0 FTE), excluding a holiday allowance of 8% gross annual income and a 8.3% end-of-the-year allowance. The positions are limited to a period of 4 years. A PhD training programme is part of the agreement and the successful candidates will be enrolled in the Graduate School of Science and Engineering.
The successful candidates will first be offered a temporary position of one year with the option of renewal for another three years. Prolongation of the contract is contingent on sufficient progress in the first year to indicate that a successful completion of the PhD thesis within the next three years is to be expected.

Application
You may apply for this position until 31 July 23:59h / before 1 August 2018 Dutch local time by means of the application form (click on "Apply" below on the advertisement on the university website).

Application should include:
• letter of motivation
• CV (including contact information for at least two academic references)
• transcripts from the Bachelor’s and Master’s degree.

The preferred starting date is 1 October 2018.

Unsolicited marketing is not appreciated.

Additional information

Prof. Raffaella Carloni
r.carloni@rug.nl