Three Postdoc and one PhD positions: ERC StG project in optical soft robotics

 

The Robotic Materials group at ETH Zurich Department of Materials is looking for three postdocs and one PhD for the project funded by ERC Starting Grant: “Distributed Addressable Robotic Material via Wavelength-Division-Multiplexing (ColorfulAct)”. ColorfulAct aims to establish the building blocks of physical intelligence parallel to nodes and connections to artificial intelligence. We will develop distributed and addressable robotic actuating materials that demonstrate multifunctionality through the broad bandwidth of light.

The Robotic Materials group headed by Prof. Hedan Bai at Department of Materials was established in October 2023. We are an international and interdisciplinary team of material scientists, roboticists, engineers and chemists with a passion for futuristic robotics. We take a bottom-up approach to robotics and develop soft materials and devices that would enable unusual form and unconventional functions for broader robotic applications.

Job description

Track 1: Fiber-based soft optical actuator

• Design and fabrication of high-performance soft optical actuator
• Design, modeling, and scalable manufacturing of miniature, highly integrated fiber actuator
• Demonstration of multifunctional soft robotic systems

Track 2: Soft optical actuator and network

• Design and fabrication of high-performance soft optical actuator
• Design, modeling, and fabrication of soft optical network for light multiplexing
• System-level demonstrations where distributed actuation enables new robotic functions

Track 3: Biomedical soft robot with light

• Design and synthesis of biocompatible soft materials for high-performance optical actuation
• Design and fabrication of minimally invasive soft robotic devices (surgerical tools/implants)
• Proof-of-concept demonstrations in medical robotics applications

Track 4: Soft robotic design with distributed addressable actuators

• Design, modeling, and fabrication of 3D soft robots with distributed and addressable actuators
• System integration for multifunctionality and reconfigurability
• Demonstrate these robotic funtions in real world applications

All tracks: 

• Supervise master/bachelor students
• Teaching assistant for the robotic materials class

Profile

Must haves for postdocs (all tracks): 

• PhD degree in Materials Science, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering or related field from a top university.
• Strong experimental background with documented achievements (publications, patents, prototypes, competitions) in soft actuators, devices, robotic materials, or soft/biomedical robotic systems.
• Ability to independently lead research projects and mentor junior researchers.
• Strong communication skills to collaborate across disciplines.

Must haves for PhD (all tracks): 

• A master’s degree and outstanding academic record from a top university in Materials Science, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering or related field
• Demonstrated research experience in soft actuators, optics, materials design, or biomedical robotics.
• Excellent problem-solving abilities and a passion for interdisciplinary research.

Preferred expertise:

Track 1: Advanced experience in fiber manufacturing or functional fiber integration; microfabrication.

Track 2: Background in optics and experience with soft optical devices; microfabrication.

Track 3: Skills in polymer/biomaterial synthesis and characterization for robotic applications.

Track 4: Advanced experience in soft robotic design with a high level of integration for multifunctionality.

We offer

• Competitive salary according to ETH standards (fully funded, full-time, fixed term position)
• An interdisciplinary, international, and diverse team of talents and a stimulating, vibrant, collaborative group
• Strong connections with academic, industrial, and clinical partners in materials science, robotics, and healthcare.

Curious? So are we.

We look forward to receiving your application with the following documents as a single PDF:

• A cover letter indicating which track you are applying for (Track 1/2/3/4, or a combination)
• CV
• Publication list with a few sentences highlighting representative works
• Contact details of two referees
• For PhD applicants: transcripts of academic records

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis until the positions are filled. The preferred start date is December 1st, 2025, and it is flexible. Further information should be directed to Prof. Hedan Bai at hedan.bai@mat.ethz.ch. All applications should be submitted through the official portal, and applications through emails will not be considered.