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Postdoctoral Researcher in Design and Fabrication of Soft Robots in Zürich

Studierende finden an der ETH Zürich ein Umfeld, das eigenständiges Denken fördert, Forschende ein Klima, das zu Spitzenleistungen inspiriert.

Jobbeschreibung

100%, Zurich, temporary

The  within the  at ETH Zurich is inviting applications for an open postdoctoral researcher position. We are looking for an excellent researcher to join and steer our research efforts in the design and fabrication of soft robots. Our is to build, model, and control robots in a fundamentally different way, so that they become more flexible, dexterous, capable, and adapt better to their environment. The lab showcases its research in design and algorithms through  such as a , , and

Project background

Robots made of soft materials, so-called soft robots, well surpass the limited degrees of freedom that rigid systems possess and therefore potentially offer adaptable and inherently safe ways of achieving versatile forms in locomotion and manipulation. Soft robots can homogeneously combine actuation, sensing, and structure in one composite.

In our lab, we develop continuously deformable robots using compliant materials and intelligent sensors whose properties resemble those of living organisms. These soft robots can be used more flexibly and are safer than conventional ones when interacting with humans and surroundings. The vision of this project is to evolve soft robotic systems from the realm of proof-of-concept, one-off prototypes into capable and reliable machines that can morph to tackle challenging tasks in manipulation and locomotion.

Constructing the body of a soft robot with fully integrated actuation and sensing is challenging, especially when trying to reproducibly build them. Existing design and fabrication techniques do not allow for soft actuators with high power density for overcoming gravity and adequate sensor resolution for tasks such as versatile object manipulation.

Job description

You research design approaches, fabrication techniques, and material choices for soft robots by choosing appropriate functional materials and developing printing, multi-​layer deposition, layering, roll-​to-roll, and soft lithography methods that allow for soft robotic structures with fine actuator resolution and high power density. You continuously simulate, prototype, and test your ideas for new compounds, designs and manufacturing techniques by combining them in physical prototypes in form of deformable soft robots. Through your iterations, these robots become more and more effective in dexterously interacting with an inherently deformable world. You also develop computational modeling approaches that facilitate your fast iterative approach in material selection, design choices, and fabrication approaches. You collaborate with researchers in material science, mechanical engineering, and computer science to develop computationally-​driven manufacturing methods that create reproducibly strong soft robots with a high sensor density and inherent proprioception. You make and control soft robots that can move in surprisingly dexterous ways.

Your developed techniques are generalizable and user-friendly to facilitate a broad adoption in the robotics community, leading to an open-source materials, design and manufacturing framework for soft robots. The development of such a framework is facilitated through active collaborations with other researchers contributing to research forums such as the , to physical simulation software such as and to toolboxes for dynamical systems modeling such as .

Next to your research efforts, you are a passionate mentor and a patient educator. You are outstanding in mentoring students performing their semester projects or thesis works in our lab. You will also be involved in the teaching of graduate classes on topics such as soft robotics, advanced manufacturing techniques, mechanical design, and computational modeling.

Your profile

You are extremely curious, highly driven, greatly independent, and you want to make a real difference with your research. You work best when you are in a team, you are respectful and thrive when you can collaborate with others and provide support. Through your prior experiences, you have shown your understanding in:

  • Developing actuation and sensing systems for robots
  • Designing, simulating, fabricating, and testing of innovative actuator ideas
  • Creating models and simulations of mechanisms or deformable materials for testing out new ideas 
  • Applying state-of-the art system identification and control approaches for robots
  • Researching new functional materials and compounds 
  • Realizing on-system testing to show results on real-world machines

A fundamental understanding of technical mechanics, machine design, materials, advanced fabrication techniques, and rapid prototyping is essential for the successful completion of this proposed postdoctoral research program. It would be greatly advantageous if you are already proficient in Python or Matlab, and C++. You collaborate well with your lab mates and other research labs, you are a resourceful asset for other researchers and students, and you can make efficient use of the provided support from R&D experts, scientists, engineers, and doctoral students with background in materials science, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, computer science, and physics.

ETH Zurich
ETH Zurich is one of the world’s leading universities specialising in science and technology. We are renowned for our excellent education, cutting-edge fundamental research and direct transfer of new knowledge into society. Over 30,000 people from more than 120 countries find our university to be a place that promotes independent thinking and an environment that inspires excellence. Located in the heart of Europe, yet forging connections all over the world, we work together to develop solutions for the global challenges of today and tomorrow.
Interested?

We look forward to receiving your online application with the following documents:

  • Cover letter
  • Statement of research objectives: a proposal of around 500-1000 words describing (i) your planned research, (ii) your experience in this area, (iii) related work from the literature, and (iv) a proposed timeline
  • Detailed CV: professional summary, education, research and work experience, teaching experience, key skills, journal and conference publications, public talks, awards and fellowships, volunteering work and outside interests
  • 2 - 3 reference letters or reference contacts
  • 1 - 2 exemplary publications or thesis works
  • Transcripts of all degrees in English 

Please note that we exclusively accept applications submitted through our online application portal. Applications via email or postal services will not be considered. Applications missing required documents will not be considered. We will be in contact with you after 2-3 weeks following your application.

Further information about the Soft Robotics Lab can be found on our website . Questions regarding the position should be directed by .

Veröffentlicht am

29-02-2024

Extra Informationen

Status
Inaktiv
Standort
Zürich
Jobart
Werkstudentenstelle
Tätigkeitsbereich
Technik / Elektronik
Führerschein erforderlich?
Nein
Auto erforderlich?
Nein
Motivationsschreiben erforderlich?
Nein

Zürich | Technik Stellenangebote | Werkstudentenstelle