PhD Position on Origami-inspired Shape Memory Microrobots 75% part-time

Helmholtz Association of German Research Centres; Deutschland; Vor Ort; EUR 60.000 - 80.000; Teilzeit

Zusammenfassung

A leading German research organization is seeking a candidate for a part-time position focused on the design and simulation of shape memory alloy microrobots. This role will involve advanced rapid prototyping techniques and offers the opportunity to pursue a doctorate. The work will be closely linked to cutting-edge research in smart materials and devices, with access to state-of-the-art facilities.

Aufgaben

• Modelling, design and simulation of shape memory alloy (SMA) microrobots.
• Design and simulation of a suitable SMA microrobots layout.
• Rapid prototyping using clean room technology such as optical lithography and 3D printing.
• Development, characterization, and control of demonstrator variants.
• Investigation of scaling size and performance.
• Addressing miniaturization and scalability for real-world applications in medicine.

Jobbeschreibung

Area of research

Other

Part-Time Suitability

The position is suitable for part-time employment.

Starting date

10.09.2025

Job description

You will have the following tasks:

• Modelling, design and simulation of shape memory alloy (SMA) microrobots
• Design and simulation of a suitable SMA microrobots layout
• Rapid prototyping (clean room technology, e.g., optical lithography, 3D printing, laser technology)
• Development, characterization and control of demonstrator variants
• Investigation of the scaling of size and performance
• Addressing miniaturization and scalability to enable real-world applications in medicine

The IMT is equipped with state-of-the-art facilities including a 600 m² clean room, advanced rapid prototyping capabilities like lithography, 3D printing and laser cutting, packaging and interconnection technology labs, as well as various metrology laboratories. The position is within the ZEco Thermal Lab of Dr. Jingyuan Xu, and will have a close collaboration of the Research Group ‘Smart Materials and Devices’ of Prof. Manfred Kohl, and the DFG SPP project “Cooperative Multistage Multistable Microactuator Systems (KOMMMA)”.

The activity offers the opportunity for a part-time doctorate.

This research center is part of the Helmholtz Association of German Research Centers. With more than 42,000 employees and an annual budget of over € 5 billion, the Helmholtz Association is Germany's largest scientific organisation.