This is a postdoctoral research position, with a limited 12-month duration. You will develop, conduct and supervise research on soft material actuators for mechatronics. You will be engaged in the development of novel systems aimed at creating a demonstrator as a proof of principle, based on 2D bending/twisting of soft actuators with applications in steering catheters, grippers, and other mechatronics applications.
The tasks to be performed include:
• The design of a soft material actuator suitable to the applications,
• The development of a suitable fabrication process for the manufacturing of the system,
• The characterization and testing of the device’s functionality, stability and reliability,
• The supervision of MSc student projects related to your own,
• Being an inspiring member for the PME department by proactive participation,
• Engaging in the writing of scientific articles and proposals to secure funding for further work on the topic.

Applicants should have the following qualifications:
• PhD and multidisciplinary background within the fields of (but not restricted to) Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics, Material Science, of Chemical Engineering
• Experience (mandatory) with:
° Softmatter actuators (ionic, magnetic, electrical, etc)
° Modelling and control of such systems
• Experience or high interest (not mandatory but preferred) with
° Hands on experimental work and fabrication
° Compliant mechanisms or robotics applications
° Convex optimization
• A good publication record.
• Interest in educational tasks such as teaching and supervision of Master and PhD students.
• Good skill in writing scientific articles and funding proposals
• High motivation for teamwork and good communication skills.

Fixed-term contract: 12 months.

TU Delft offers an attractive benefits package, including a flexible work week and the option of assembling a customised compensation and benefits package (the 'IKA'). Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities.

For more information about this position, please contact Dr. Hassan HosseinNia (s.h.hosseinniakani@tudelft.nl) or Dr. Luigi Sasso (l.sasso@tudelft.nl).
To apply send three recommendation letters, a complete CV with comprehensive publication list, along with a motivation letter by 29 June 2017 to: application-3mE@tudelft.nl.
Applications after deadline will be considered if the post is still vacant.

When applying for this position, please refer to vacancy number 3ME17-22.

Delft University of Technology

Delft University of Technology (TU Delft) is a multifaceted institution offering education and carrying out research in the technical sciences at an internationally recognised level. Education, research and design are strongly oriented towards applicability. TU Delft develops technologies for future generations, focusing on sustainability, safety and economic vitality. At TU Delft you will work in an environment where technical sciences and society converge. TU Delft comprises eight faculties, unique laboratories, research institutes and schools.

Faculty of Mechanical, Maritime and Materials Engineering (3mE)

The Department of Precision and Microsystems Engineering (PME) focuses on developing knowledge and methods for small, innovative high-precision devices and systems, such as precision equipment and scientific instrumentation for the high-tech industry. Increasing miniaturisation and function density, and improving precision, speed and reliability are the key topics in our work. Our approach is multidisciplinary, fundamental and inspired by industry needs. PME delivers skilled professionals and contributes knowledge to the open innovation environment to support leadership of the High-Tech Systems Industry. We focus on exploiting scientific and engineering concepts to create technologies for the extreme miniaturisation of high-tech systems and for improving accuracy and reliability of scientific instrumentation.

You will be working in a challenging international environment, with access to state-of-the art facilities for high-tech system development. You will participate in a large team with strong industrial and academic collaborations. The vacant position is in collaboration between the department of PME (www.pme.tudelft.nl/) and DCSC (www.dcsc.tudelft.nl/). The Delft Center for Systems and Control (DCSC) mission is to provide education and to perform research in systems and control, at an internationally recognized high level, from within a TUD-wide center that has a solid foundation in the faculty 3mE.