Postdoctoral researcher TactoChem – Chemically Driven Robotic Actuators

1000scholars; Groningen; On-site; EUR 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

End-of-year bonus

Vacation hours

Professional development opportunities

Job summary

University of Groningen invites applications for a postdoctoral researcher to pioneer chemically-driven robotics and innervated soft robotic hands. You will work in a multidisciplinary team at the Stratingh Institute, developing sensors and actuating systems.

You’ll supervise students and contribute to an internationally visible research program. The role emphasizes leadership, publication track record, and ability to collaborate across materials science, chemistry, and robotics in a

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in mechanical engineering, materials science, or equivalent.
• Proven track record in designing metamaterials and actuators, supported by modelling.
• Proficiency in advanced design techniques and project management.
• Willingness to learn about polymer and systems chemistry and robotic design.
• Excellent publication record, international visibility, and independent thinking.
• Leadership experience supervising undergraduate students.
• Motivation to develop grant writing skills.
• Excellent communication and collaboration in a multidisciplinary environment.

Responsibilities

• Design robotic components and actuators that respond to chemical signals.
• Optimize geometries and model deformations to match timescales of chemical processes.
• Develop robotic prototypes with built-in microfluidic channels.
• Build and maintain chemical and robotic setups.
• Train and supervise students.
• Excel in a top chemistry group with top-notch infrastructure.

Skills

Metamaterials design

Actuator design

Modelling

Project management

Leadership

Communication skills

Education

PhD degree

Job description

Job description

A sense of touch allows us to handle objects with fine motor skills and navigate the complexities of everyday life. Robots struggle with even simple tasks, because their sensing capabilities remain limited. It is incredibly hard to achieve the level of sophistication and high-density integration of sensing, signal processing, and movement that comes so naturally to us. This project, funded by an European Starting Grant, aims to develop a new class of chemical touch sensors that can be incorporated into robotic prototypes.

What are you going to do?

As an experienced material scientist and mechanical engineer with a track-record in actuator design and soft robotics, and skills in modelling, you will pioneer new concepts in chemically-driven robotics. In this 2-year project, you will develop innervated soft robotic hands and study how chemical signals can translate into mechanical motions of these robotic components. Work in a state-of-the-art laboratory together with experts in mechanochemistry, materials, and actuator design.

Your main tasks will include to:

• Design robotic components and actuators that respond to chemical signals.
• Optimize geometries and model deformations to match timescales of chemical processes.
• Develop robotic prototypes with built-in microfluidic channels
• Build and maintain chemical and robotic setups.
• Train and supervise students.
• Excel in a top chemistry group with top-notch infrastructure.

Requirements

• A Ph.D. degree in mechanical engineering, material sciences, or equivalent.
• A proven track-record in designing metamaterials and actuators, supported by modelling.
• Proficiency in advanced design techniques and project management.
• Motivation to learn about polymer and systems chemistry and robotic design.
• Excellent publication record, international visibility, and strong independent thinking skills.
• Demonstrable leadership experience in supervising undergraduate students.
• Motivation to develop grant writing skills.
• Excellent communication skills for engaging with both professional and lay audiences.
• Well-developed communication and collaboration skills and the ability to work independently in a multidisciplinary environment.

Postdoctoral researchers are expected to demonstrate scientific independence, complete own research projects within a larger research agenda, and co-supervise PhD and undergraduate students. They play an integral part in running the project, leading subgroups, staying abreast of developments across fields, and showcasing their work in the international community. We are looking forward for you to joining our team to develop signalling chemistry for touch sensing and create new robotic prototypes.

Conditions of employment

Fixed-term contract: The successful candidate will first be offered a temporary full-time position (1.0 FTE) position of one year with the option of renewal for another year.

What can you expect from us?

• 232 vacation hours per year, based on a 38-hour workweek (1.0 FTE). You can also work more or fewer hours in exchange for more or fewer free hours. For example, with a 40-hour workweek, you save 96 extra free hours, and with a 36-hour workweek, you lose 96 hours.
• End-of-year bonus of 8.3% and 8% holiday allowance.
• Extensive opportunities for personal and professional development.

Employer

University of GroningenAt the University of Groningen (UG), researchers from all fields of academia and technology are working on academic challenges and societal questions. Lecturers prepare their students for meaningful careers within or outside the academic world. Interdisciplinary research and teaching, sharing of knowledge, collaboration with businesses, government institutions, and societal organizations are aspects that are of the utmost importance to this European top university. The UG aims to be an open academic community with an inclusive and safe working climate that invites you to add your value.

Department

Faculty of Science and EngineeringThe Faculty of Science and Engineering (FSE) provides teaching and research across a wide range of disciplines, from physics and biology to artificial intelligence, mechanical engineering, and pharmacy. In close collaboration with partners from industry, healthcare, and society, we contribute to the urgent challenges of our time, such as energy, sustainability, digitization, and medical technology. Our community is open and informal, with more than 7,000 students, 1,000 PhD students, and 1,400 staff members from all over the world. If you would like to learn more about the Faculty of Science and Engineering, visit rug.nl/fse.

Our team, led by Dr Michael M. Lerch, aims to create a chemical operating system for robots, thereby developing novel chemistry and materials with unprecedented functions. We believe that chemistry can close the performance gap between living organisms and current electronic robots. Over the years, we have built a unique pipeline where we take newly synthesized molecules, incorporate them into materials, and shape them into functional devices. You will work in an international and interdisciplinary team in a fast-paced, creative, and collaborative research environment, based at the renowned Stratingh Institute at the Faculty of Science and Engineering at the University of Groningen. The functional materials we develop are societally relevant; as part of ARC CBBC and HTRIC, we work with industrial partners and clinical experts to develop next generation functional coatings and clinically relevant robots. The University of Groningen and the Lerch Research Group strive to create an equitable, inclusive, and respectful environment, where researchers of different backgrounds and disciplines can work at the forefront of science.