Postdoctoral and/or PhD in Soft Robotics at EPFL, Switzerland

Post date: Jan 18, 2011 11:7:58 AM

A postdoctoral and/or PhD position is available at the Laboratory of Intelligent Systems (http://lis.epfl.ch) at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne (EPFL http://www.epfl.ch) to work on the development of novel sensory-motor structures for soft robots in the framework of the newly created Swiss National Center of Competence in Robotics. The team aims at designing, fabricating, and assessing the performance of autonomous robots that can undergo continuous morphological modifications in space and time, either passively or actively. The work is at the frontiers of biomechanics and mechatronics of soft structures, with special emphasis on fluidics.

Successful applicants will be responsible for the exploration, prototyping, and validation of integrated structures composed of soft and rigid elements that provide the compliance, flexibility, and resilience of living systems interacting with the physical world.

Applicants should preferably have a master or doctoral degree in one or more of the following disciplines:

Micro-engineering

Micro-robotics

Electrical engineering

Material engineering

Applied physics

Biophysics

Candidates from other disciplines are also welcome if they demonstrate skills in the above-mentioned areas. Proficiency in written/spoken English is mandatory. The working language is English. The position is available immediately. Salary and benefits are highly competitive. The region of Lausanne and the EPFL campus offer an excellent quality of life with lake, mountains, and cultural events.

Applicants for a postdoc should send an e-mail to Dario.Floreano@epfl.ch with a zipped file containing a statement of interest, full CV, copy of major publications, and names of two referees. Only retained applicants will receive a reply by e-mail.

Applicants for a PhD should apply to one of the following doctoral schools at EPFL: "Microsystems and microelectronics", "Electrical Engineering", or Manufacturing Sytems and Robotics". Check http://phd.epfl.ch for application forms. Next deadline: January 15, 2011. Please state interest for this project and mention the name of Prof. Dario Floreano in the application to the doctoral school of choice.

****************************************************************************

Prof. Dario Floreano Tel: +41 21 693 5230

Laboratory of Intelligent Systems Fax: +41 21 693 5859

Station 11, EPFL Lausanne Sec: +41 21 693 5966

Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Dario.Floreano@epfl.ch

CH-1015 Switzerland http://people.epfl.ch/dario.floreano

****************************************************************************