Autonomous robotic scanning platforms for electrostatic fields (ERC EpiC, Postdoc or experienced MSc)

Sant'Anna School of Advanced Studies; Italia; On-site; EUR 52,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

Sant'Anna School of Advanced Studies, The BioRobotics Institute in Pisa, invites postdocs and MSc graduates to join the ERC Consolidator project EpiC. You will develop autonomous robotic scanning platforms to map electrostatic potentials on complex materials and living systems, integrating vibrating probes, voltmeters, and precision amplifiers for picoampere/microvolt level measurements.

This hands-on role blends electronics, mechatronics, and biology.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Physics, Biomedical Engineering, Automation, Telecommunications, Electrical, Electronic or Mechanical Engineering (or equivalent).
• PhD ideal but not required if experience is strong.
• Not eligible: permanent academic staff with prior fixed-term RTD contracts.

Responsibilities

• Develop autonomous robotic scanning platforms to map dynamic electrostatic potentials.
• Build and integrate multimodal sensors for ultra-low-noise measurements.
• Perform hands-on electronics and mechatronics work in controlled environments.
• Contribute to interdisciplinary collaboration with biology and engineering teams.

Skills

Applied electronics

Precision measurements

Mechatronics

Sensor integration

English proficiency

Education

Master's degree in Physics

Master's degree in Biomedical Engineering

Master's degree in Electrical/Electronic Engineering

Related science/engineering master's

Tools

Vibrating probes

Voltmeter

Precision amplifiers

Job description

Organisation/Company Sant'Anna School of Advanced Studies Department The BioRobotics Institute Research Field Engineering » Electrical engineering Physics » Applied physics Technology » Measurement technology Engineering » Biomedical engineering Engineering » Mechanical engineering Engineering » Electronic engineering Researcher Profile Recognised Researcher (R2) Positions Postdoc Positions Application Deadline 29 Oct 2026 - 12:00 (Europe/Rome) Country Italy Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Offer Starting Date 1 Jan 2027 Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Horizon Europe - ERC Reference Number 101124721 Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? Yes

Offer Description

Postdocs and MSc graduates with relevant hands-on experience are both welcome.

Join the Lab fro Surface Phenomena and Integrated Systems (SPIS) and the ERC Consolidator project EpiC (Epicuticular electrification: spontaneous charging of materials at the world's largest bio-air interface) at the Institute of BioRobotics, Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna, Pisa under supervision of Prof. Dr. Fabian Meder.

THE ROLE
You will develop a new class of autonomous robotic scanning platforms that map dynamic electrostatic potentials on complex materials and living systems. You will build and integrate multimodal sensors (vibrating probes, voltmeters, precision amplifiers) for ultra-low-noise acquisition (picoampere/microvolt level) and advanced mechatronics for precision measurements in controlled and biological environments. Your instruments will open new fields: electrostatics in nature, triboelectricity, droplet electrification, energy harvesting, and electroecology.
This is a strongly hands-on position, focused on applied electronics and mechatronics.

WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR

• A scientist or engineer who enjoys building, testing and improving instrumentation
• Experience in applied electronics, precision measurements, mechatronics or sensor integration
• Curiosity about biology and the ability to work in an interdisciplinary team
• Good English
• Candiates must be within 6 years of their MSc degree, a PhD is ideal but candidates without one are fully evaluated based on relevant experience

ELIGIBILITY
Master's degree obtained in Physics (LM-17), Biomedical Engineering (LM-21), Automation Engineering (LM-25), Telecommunications Engineering (LM-27), Electrical Engineering (LM-28), Electronic Engineering (LM-29) or Mechanical Engineering (LM-33), or an equivalent foreign degree. Italian citizenship is not required.

WE OFFER
24 months, EUR 58,000 total gross. You will work in an ERC-funded, interdisciplinary project at the frontier of its field.

SELECTION
Evaluation of qualifications (PhD, Master's degree and thesis, publications, experience) and a possible interview on 10 November 2026, in Pisa or online. Relevant experience and English are assessed.

Specific Requirements

• Master's degree obtained no more than 6 years before 8 October 2026 in Physics (LM-17), Biomedical (LM-21), Automation (LM-25), Telecommunications (LM-27), Electrical (LM-28), Electronic (LM-29) or Mechanical Engineering (LM-33), or an equivalent foreign degree.
• A PhD is ideal, but candidates without one are fully evaluated based on relevant experience. Postdocs and experienced MSc graduates are both welcome.
• Not eligible: permanent staff of universities or public research bodies, previous fixed-term researcher (RTD) contracts, and more than 3 years of previous research assignments (11 years including all research contracts), counting the 24 months offered here.
• Not compatible with current enrolment in a degree or PhD programme, or with other employment.
• Good command of English (assessed at the interview).
• Italian citizenship is not required.

Languages ENGLISH Level Excellent

Additional Information

Work Location(s)

Number of offers available 1 Company/Institute Sant'Anna School of Advanced Studies, The BioRobotics Institute Country Italy State/Province Tuscany City Pontedera Postal Code 56026 Street Viale R. Piaggio 34 Geofield