PhD in Soft Robotic Applications

Technical University of Denmark; Kongens Lyngby; Presencial; DKK 360.000 - 420.000; Jornada completa

Descripción de la vacante

Technical University of Denmark (DTU) Electro invites applications for a PhD position focusing on soft and adaptive robotics, with emphasis on compliant mechanisms, variable stiffness, and advanced control strategies. The project is part of the RESSORT initiative and involves design, modelling, control, and experimental validation on robotic platforms.

The position is a 3-year full-time PhD starting 1 February 2027 or by mutual agreement, hosted at DTU Electro.

Formación

• Background in robotics, mechatronics, and control.
• Experience with modelling and simulation of robotic systems.
• Ability to design and test mechanisms and control strategies.

Responsabilidades

• Design and develop compliant and variable-stiffness mechanisms for robotic applications.
• Develop mathematical and dynamic models of robotic systems with soft/adaptive structures.
• Investigate control strategies for changing mechanical configurations and interactions.
• Integrate actuators, sensors, and embedded control systems into experimental platforms.
• Validate technologies through simulations and experiments on robotic platforms.
• Collaborate with international research and industrial partners; publish results.

Conocimientos

Robotics research

Mechatronics

Control theory

Dynamic modelling

Educación

PhD in robotics or related field

Herramientas

Embedded systems

Matlab/Simulink

Descripción del empleo

Are you interested in developing innovative robotic systems that can adapt their mechanical properties to interact safely and effectively with their environment? Do you have a background in robotics, mechatronics, and control, and enjoy combining mechanical design with hands‑on experimental research? At DTU Electro, you will have the opportunity to develop and validate novel robotic technologies integrating compliant mechanisms, variable stiffness, and advanced control strategies. Your research will contribute to the development of adaptable robotic systems capable of performing complex physical operations in challenging and uncertain environments. The PhD position is part of RESSORT, a European research project aimed at advancing soft and adaptive robotics through the integration of innovative materials, compliant structures, sensing, and intelligent control. The project addresses the limitations of conventional rigid robotic systems by developing solutions capable of adapting their mechanical behaviour to different tasks and operating conditions. Your research will focus on the design, modelling, and control of robotic systems incorporating soft and variable-stiffness mechanisms. Particular attention will be given to the integration of mechanical adaptability and control to improve physical interaction, operational stability, and performance. The developed methods will be implemented and experimentally validated on robotic platforms, including adaptive and morphing aerial systems.

Responsibilities and qualifications

Your main responsibility will be to investigate and develop mechatronic and control solutions for soft and adaptive robotic systems. The research will combine mechanical design, dynamic modelling, control development, and experimental validation, addressing the challenges associated with integrating compliant structures into robotic platforms.

• Design and develop compliant and variable-stiffness mechanisms for robotic applications.
• Develop mathematical and dynamic models of robotic systems incorporating flexible and adaptive mechanical structures.
• Investigate control strategies to manage changes in mechanical configuration, stiffness, and interaction forces.
• Integrate actuators, sensors, and embedded control systems into experimental robotic platforms.
• Develop methods for stable and efficient robotic operation under varying mechanical and environmental conditions.
• Implement and validate the developed technologies through simulations and experiments on real robotic systems.
• Collaborate with international research and industrial partners and disseminate research results through scientific publications and conferences.

The period of employment is 3 years. Starting date is 1 February 2027 (or according to mutual agreement). The position is a full-time position.

You can read more about career paths at DTU here.

Further information

Further information may be obtained from Associate Professor Matteo Fumagalli, [e-mail]. You can read more about the department at www.electro.dtu.dk. If you are applying from abroad, you may find useful information on working in Denmark and at DTU at DTU - Moving to Denmark. Furthermore, you have the option of joining our monthly free seminar "PhD relocation to Denmark and startup "Zoom" seminar" for all questions regarding the practical matters of moving to Denmark and working as a PhD at DTU.