Job Information
- Organisation/Company
- University of Trento
- Department
- Department of Industrial Engineering
- Research Field
- Engineering
- Researcher Profile
- First Stage Researcher (R1)
- Country
- Italy
- Application Deadline
- Type of Contract
- Temporary
- Job Status
- Full-time
- Hours Per Week
- 35
- Offer Starting Date
- Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?
- Not funded by an EU programme
- Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?
- No
Offer Description
The Department of Industrial Engineering is offering a PhD position on the design and development of soft robots with multifunctional-material-based artificial muscles.
Supervisor: Dr. G. Moretti. Co-supervisors: profs. S. Dirè, L. Fambri.
We are looking for highly motivated, talented candidates with a strong background in the areas of mechatronics/mechanical engineering, systems engineering, as well as interest and passion for multidisciplinary research at the intersection of modelling and experimental prototyping/characterisation.
The opening is part of the prestigious “Department of Excellence” grant, issued by the Ministry of Research to outstanding Italian University Departments.
The successful candidate will become part of a vibrant multidisciplinary group, with an international scientific profile, and they will have access to the experimental facilities at the Department of Industrial Engineering, including a broad variety of mechatronics and material characterisation laboratories, and advanced manufacturing facilities.
The candidate will have the opportunity to spend a mobility period at international partner universities during the PhD programme.
Specific objectives of the PhD project are:
- Modelling and testing of new concepts of electrostatic artificial muscles
- Design, prototyping, and testing of soft robots (grippers, manipulators, soft displays) based on the developed artificial muscle concepts
- Modelling and control of soft robot prototypes
Keywords: soft robotics, electroactive polymers, soft manipulators, HASEL (hydraulically amplified self-healing electrostatic actuators), self-sensing.
Requirements
- Research Field
- Engineering
- Education Level
- Master Degree or equivalent
Essential:
- Master’s degree in Mechatronics/Mechanical/Systems Engineering or similar
- A solid background in one of the following areas: modelling, mechanics, electronics, systems engineering, machine learning.
- A track record of project works
- Strong interest towards problem solving and experimental activity
- Fluency in English (written and spoken)
Preferred:
- Experience with experimental activity, mechanical design, and/or data processing
- Knowledge of continuum mechanics (e.g., nonlinear elasticity), robotics, electronics, control theory, electromechanical drives.
- Experience with modelling and simulation software
- Experience with CAD and/or finite element software
- Languages
- ENGLISH
- Level
- Excellent
Additional Information
What/we offer:
- Work on cutting-edge emerging topics at the intersection of mechatronics, material science and machine learning
- Work in a collaborative, multi-disciplinary research environment
- Possibility to perform independent research under the guidance of supervisors covering a broad range of expertise
- Broad offer of advanced classes/seminars in the scientific areas of mechatronics and material science
- A mobility period (6-9 months) in international research groups (with mobility allowance)
- Involvement in high-quality and peer-reviewed scientific publications
- Participation in international scientific conferences and workshops
- Flexible working time, with result-oriented assignments
Job details
- Contract: Italian PhD scholarship (16290 €/year gross salary, exempt from local income tax and personal income tax)
- Exp. starting date: 1 November 2024
- Duration: 3 years
For information and enquiries please contact the scientific responsible, Dr. Giacomo Moretti (giacomo.moretti@unitn.it).
Please include the string [PhD openings DII] in the title of your email.
The official application procedure and the call document are available here
Work Location(s)
- Number of offers available
- 1
- Company/Institute
- Department of Industrial Engineering
- Country
- Italy
- State/Province
- Trento
- City
- Trento
- Postal Code
- 38123
- Street
- Via Sommarive 9
- Geofield
Where to apply
- giacomo.moretti@unitn.it
- Website
Contact
- City
- Trento
- Website
- Street
- Via Sommarive 9
- Postal Code
- 38123
- giacomo.moretti@unitn.it