PhD on Soft Robotic Systems for Haptic Interaction Design

Eindhoven University of Technology is an internationally top-ranking university in the Netherlands that combines scientific curiosity with a hands-on attitude. Our spirit of collaboration translates into an open culture and a top-five position in collaborating with advanced industries. Fundamental knowledge enables us to design solutions for the highly complex problems of today and tomorrow.

The Department of Industrial Design conducts research on and education in the design of systems with emerging technologies in a social context. We excel at integrating various academic disciplines, including engineering, design, business, and social sciences.

Introduction

Are you fascinated by the potential of soft robotics to transform the way we experience touch? Do you want to advance cutting-edge research at the intersection of soft robotics, materials science, and interaction design?

Job Description

We are looking for a highly motivated PhD candidate to explore how material actuators and soft compliant structures can be used to create advanced, holistic haptic experiences. This project focuses on expanding the repertoire of haptic sensations beyond traditional motorized systems by leveraging soft robotics and emerging materials. 

As a PhD candidate, you will develop and optimize soft robotic actuators designed to stimulate skin, muscle, and joint receptors, enabling immersive haptic experiences. You will address challenges in sensing and control by exploring inherent sensing capabilities within materials and leveraging machine learning to interpret complex sensor data and manage nonlinearities. Your work will include characterizing the performance of these actuators and benchmarking them against conventional haptic technologies. Additionally, you will evaluate the experiential qualities of the actuators through user studies and demonstrate their potential in real-world applications. Throughout the project, you will collaborate within a multidisciplinary environment, engaging with experts in soft robotics and interaction design.  

You will be part of the Interactive Matters research cluster at the Department of Industrial Design, Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e), and the Reconfigurable Robotics Lab (RRL) at École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL). At TU/e, you will have access to the Material Aesthetics Lab, where expertise from design, robotics, materials science, and biology converge to develop innovative material actuators. At EPFL, you will have access to the Reconfigurable Robotics Lab where you will gain hands-on experience with advanced soft robots and performance characterization techniques.  

Job Requirements

• A master’s degree (or an equivalent university degree) in Industrial Design, Interaction Design, Human-Computer Interaction, Robotics, Mechanical Engineering, or related disciplines. 
• Strong interest in soft robotics, haptic interaction, interaction design, and multidisciplinary research. 
• Experience or interest in machine learning for sensor data analysis is a plus. 
• A research-oriented attitude. 
• A collaborative mindset and excellent communication skills. 
• Fluent in spoken and written English (C1 level).  
• Affinity with designing for people. 
• Experience with academic writing.
• You will be employed at TU/e and spend at least 6 months at EPFL in Lausanne, Switzerland. 

Conditions of Employment

• A meaningful job in a dynamic and ambitious university, in an interdisciplinary setting and within an international network. You will work on a beautiful, green campus within walking distance of the central train station. In addition, we offer you: 
• Full-time employment for four years, with an intermediate assessment after nine months. You will spend a minimum of 10% of your four-year employment on teaching tasks, with a maximum of 15% per year of your employment. 
• Salary and benefits (such as a pension scheme, paid pregnancy and maternity leave, partially paid parental leave) in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, scale P (min. € 2,901 max. € 3,707).  
• A year-end bonus of 8.3% and annual vacation pay of 8%. 
• High-quality training programs and other support to grow into a self-aware, autonomous scientific researcher. At TU/e we challenge you to take charge of your own learning process. 
• An excellent technical infrastructure, on-campus children's day care and sports facilities.  
• An allowance for commuting, working from home and internet costs. 
• A Staff Immigration Team and a tax compensation scheme (the 30% facility) for international candidates. 

Information

If you are excited to explore the frontiers of haptic technology through soft robotics and innovative design, we would love to hear from you! Would you like to know more? Please contact the hiring manager Anke van Oosterhout ([email protected]). 

Visit our website for more information about the application process or the conditions of employment. You can also contact HR Services ([email protected]).

Are you inspired and would like to know more about working at TU/e? Please visit our career page.

Application

We invite you to submit a complete application by using the apply button. The application should include a:

• Cover letter in which you describe your motivation and qualifications for the position.
• Curriculum vitae, including a list of your publications and the contact information of three references.
• Brief description of your MSc thesis.
• Portfolio or overview of past projects of (selected and relevant) projects and designs.  

We look forward to receiving your application and will screen it as soon as possible. The vacancy will remain open until the position is filled.