PhD: Soft Robotics & Mechanochemical Signal Processing

RUG; Groningen; On-site; EUR 36,000 - 45,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Vacation hours (232/year)

End-of-year bonus 8.3%

Holiday allowance 8%

Development opportunities

PhD training program

Job summary

University of Groningen invites applications for a PhD project titled PhD TactoChem – Signal Amplification and Processing. The role focuses on developing chemical touch sensors integrated into robotic prototypes, with work spanning systems chemistry, microfluidics, and mechanochemistry, within a top research group at the Stratingh Institute.

The position offers a full-time contract, with a pathway to a PhD under a Graduate School program, and a strong emphasis on interdisciplinary collaboration

Qualifications

• M.Sc. degree in chemistry or equivalent.
• Research experience in systems chemistry, microfluidics, and/or organic synthesis.
• Motivation to design and synthesize novel reaction networks and study their behaviour in innervated soft robots
• Excellent command of written and spoken English.
• Willingness to acquire a variety of additional skills ranging from basic programming to 3D modelling.
• Well-developed communication and collaboration skills and the ability to work independently in a multidisciplinary environment.

Responsibilities

• Develop soft robotic components with microfluidic channels that can transport chemical signals.
• Establish chemical reaction networks that allow for amplification of mechanochemical signals and quantify their behaviour, supported by kinetic modelling.
• Work with soft materials and 3D design and understand how signals travel through materials and activate movement responses.
• Develop a systems chemistry approach to employ mechanophores for robotics.
• Excel in a top chemistry group with top-notch infrastructure.

Skills

Systems chemistry

Microfluidics

Organic synthesis

Reaction networks design

English proficiency

Programming

3D modelling

Communication skills

Independent work

Collaborative teamwork

Education

M.Sc. degree in chemistry or equivalent

Job description

University of Groningen invites applications for a PhD project titled PhD TactoChem – Signal Amplification and Processing. The role focuses on developing chemical touch sensors integrated into robotic prototypes, with work spanning systems chemistry, microfluidics, and mechanochemistry, within a top research group at the Stratingh Institute.

The position offers a full-time contract, with a pathway to a PhD under a Graduate School program, and a strong emphasis on interdisciplinary collaboration