Postdoc and PhD positions in optically multiplexed soft robotic actuators

Location: Indiana

Organisation/Company ETH Zürich Research Field Engineering » Biomedical engineering Engineering » Electrical engineering Engineering » Materials engineering Engineering » Mechanical engineering Engineering » Other Researcher Profile Recognised Researcher (R2) Country Switzerland Final date to receive applications 23 Feb 2026 - 22:59 (UTC) Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Part-time Hours Per Week 41 Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?

Horizon Europe - ERC Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

Postdoc and PhD positions in optically multiplexed soft robotic actuators

The Robotic Materials group is looking for threepostdocs and one PhD for the project funded by ERC Starting Grant : "Distributed Addressable Robotic Material via Wavelength-Division-Multiplexing (Colorful Act)". Colorful Act aims to establish the building blocks of physical intelligence parallel to nodes and connections to artifical intelligence. We will develop distributed and addressable robotic actuating materials that demostrate 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.

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 softmaterials 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 andreconfigurability
• 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 Engineeringor related field from a top university
• Strong experimental background with documented achievements (publications, patents, prototypes, competitions) in soft actuators, devices, or robotic materials.
• 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 universityin Materials Science, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineeringor 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 expertises:

• 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

• A productive working environment with training and guidance from the PI on a regular basis
• 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.

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