Mechano-Chemistry for Robots

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.

Join a rapidly expanding team of PhD students and Postdocs, shape a rapidly emerging field with your insights, and become a forerunner in chemically-driven robotics. The core objective of this PhD project is to synthesize novel mechanophores – molecules that respond to mechanical force – and incorporate them into soft robotic hands to enable a sense of touch in robots. Leverage your synthetic chemistry background and learn more about polymer chemistry, rapid prototyping, and cutting edge analytical techniques. 

What are you going to do?

Your main tasks will include to:

•       Synthesize mechano-responsive molecules and incorporate them into polymeric networks.
•       Establish structure-activity relationships, supported by simple quantum chemical calculations.
•       Work with polymeric networks and understand how mechanical signals activate chemical responses.
•       Develop a systems chemistry approach to employ mechanophores for robotics.
•       Excel in a top chemistry group with top-notch infrastructure.

We are looking for a collaborative, creative, and excellent colleague with:

•        an M.Sc. degree in chemistry or equivalent.
•        demonstrable research experience in organic synthesis, hydrogels & elastomers, and/or polymers.
•        motivation to design and synthesize novel mechanophores and incorporate them into soft robots
•        excellent command of written and spoken English.
•        willingness to acquire a variety of additional skills ranging from basic programming to 3D modelling.
•        well-developed communication and collaboration skills and the ability to work independently in a multidisciplinary environment. 

PhD. students are expected to develop scientific independence and complete research projects. Enthusiastic Ph.D. students stay abreast of developments in the field, proactively communicate research results, supervise BSc. and MSc. students, and work effectively in a team. We are looking forward for you to joining our team to create new mechanochemistry, materials, and robots. 

• 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.

The 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. As a PhD student, 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. 

Do you have any questions or need more information?

Questions about the content of the job?
Michael Lerch (Assistant Professor): m.m.lerch@rug.nl

Questions about your application process?
Dorien Smit (Human Resources Adviser): dorien.smit@rug.nl