Openings
Check out the open positions:
Research Associate (Postdoc) in Soft Robotic Implant for Gastrointestinal Tissue Repair [open]
The post provides the chance to be involved in a translational project in which we will develop and preclinically test a soft robotic implant for the treatment of short bowel syndrome.
This post is funded by the MRC and brings together researchers in Robotics from the University of Sheffield, and clinicians and surgeons from the Sheffield hospitals.
The candidate for the post should hold a PhD (or be close to completion) in any relevant area of robotics, soft robotics, and should have a strong knowledge of experimental implementation of soft-matter fabrication or/and control and or medical robotics.
The researcher will work with a clinical fellow, surgeons and veterinary collaborators, as well as with commercialisation collaborators. They will contribute with publications and develop preclinical-proof implants. The Research Associate will join an internationally-renowned research group in biomedical and soft robotics, and will contribute to the reputation of Automatic Control and Systems Engineering Department as the leading department in systems and control.
Apply here.
Closing date for applications: 30 April 2024
Post starts: as soon as a suitable candidate is found (duration: one year)
For initial query, feel free to email Dana Damian.
About us:
University of Sheffield is a member of the Russell Group of leading UK research universities. The University of Sheffield has been ranked among the top 100 universities in the world in the QS World University Rankings 2023. In addition, the University was named one of the most international universities in the world by Times Higher Education.
The Department of Automatic Control and Systems Engineering (ACSE) has an international reputation for its research excellence. The 2021 Research Excellence Framework (REF) identified 96% of our department’s research as rated in the highest two categories, meaning it is classed as world-leading or internationally excellent.
In the Sheffield Biomedical Robotics Laboratory, our group’s mission is to develop bionic and biomedical robots that support sustained autonomous operation for long-term adaptive healthcare. We have expertise in design, fabrication, control and evaluation of soft robots and biomedical robots.
Research Associate (Postdoc) in Soft Resilient Machines [open]
The post provides a rare opportunity to contribute to research and development of transformative soft-matter resilient machines which can withstand damage and conditions disturbances. This project proposes an approach for resilient machines that uniquely unifies three lines of research: soft-matter engineering, autonomous systems, and chemical engineering.
This post is funded by EPSRC, under the New Horizons scheme, and brings together researchers in Robotics, Chemical Engineering and Neuroscience from the University of Sheffield, Sheffield Hallam University and University of Southern California.
The candidate for the post should hold a PhD (or be close to completion) in any relevant area of robotics, soft robotics, and should have a strong knowledge of experimental implementation of soft-matter fabrication or/and control. Experience in chemical engineering is a plus.
The researcher will contribute with publications and develop demonstrations of the methods developed. The Research Associate will join an internationally-renowned research group in biomedical and soft robotics, and will contribute to the reputation of Automatic Control and Systems Engineering Department as the leading department in systems and control.
Apply: here
Closing date for applications: 19th May 2024
Post starts: as soon as a suitable candidate is found.
About us:
University of Sheffield is a member of the Russell Group of leading UK research universities. The University of Sheffield has been ranked among the top 100 universities in the world in the QS World University Rankings 2023. In addition, the University was named one of the most international universities in the world by Times Higher Education.
The Department of Automatic Control and Systems Engineering (ACSE) has an international reputation for its research excellence. The 2021 Research Excellence Framework (REF) identified 96% of our department’s research as rated in the highest two categories, meaning it is classed as world-leading or internationally excellent.
In the Sheffield Biomedical Robotics Laboratory, our group’s mission is to develop bionic and biomedical robots that support sustained autonomous operation for long-term adaptive healthcare. We have expertise in design, fabrication, control and evaluation of soft robots and biomedical robots.
Fully-funded PhD scholarship in the project 'Improving oxygen monitoring technology for young children and infants' [open]
Measuring oxygen levels in children is crucial, often considered as important as monitoring other vital signs like heart rate and temperature. However, doing so in infants and pre-schoolers outside of hospitals can be challenging. There's concern that the technology used for these measurements might be leading to unnecessary diagnoses, resulting in more hospital admissions for conditions like bronchiolitis in infants.
We will develop a functional material or physical interface, e.g., fabric, sticker, to improve sensing readings for oxygen measurements acquired at the tip of infants' and children's fingers, by finding suitable and seamless ways to engage the children in this process.
Candidates are expected to have a background in one of the following fields: Electrical Engineering, Material Engineering, Robotics, Mechatronics, Mechanical Engineering, Bioengineering, or a related field. Applicants should have, or expect to achieve a first UK honours degree or equivalent qualifications gained outside the UK in an appropriate area of study. The post is open for home and international students.
This project is a collaboration between Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust, Sheffield Children’s NHS Foundation Trust, the NIHR Children and Young People MedTech Co-operative, and the Insigneo Institute at the University of Sheffield. As a member of our team, you will receive training in fabricating flexible interfaces and functional materials, as well as the principles of wearables. These skills form the core of our laboratory's expertise.
To apply follow the link.
Closing date for applications: as soon as a suitable candidate is found
Starting date: Asap
About us:
University of Sheffield is a member of the Russell Group of leading UK research universities. The University of Sheffield has been ranked among the top 100 universities in the world in the QS World University Rankings 2023. In addition, the University was named one of the most international universities in the world by Times Higher Education.
The Department of Automatic Control and Systems Engineering (ACSE) has an international reputation for its research excellence. The 2021 Research Excellence Framework (REF) identified 96% of our department’s research as rated in the highest two categories, meaning it is classed as world-leading or internationally excellent.
In the Sheffield Biomedical Robotics Laboratory, our group’s mission is to develop bionic and biomedical robots that support sustained autonomous operation for long-term adaptive healthcare. We have expertise in design, fabrication, control and evaluation of soft robots and biomedical robots.
Fully-funded PhD scholarship in the project 'Capsule Robot Pharmacy: Your Future Personal Gastrointestinal Medication Dispensary' [open]
In this research project, our primary objective is to pioneer the development of cutting-edge therapeutic technology: an in-the-body mobile pharmacy designed for autonomous drug management. The purpose of this technology is to tackle the prevalent issues related to long-term medication adherence and localized drug administration over extended periods.
Candidates are expected to have a background in one of the following fields: Mechanical Engineering, Robotics, Mechatronics, Electrical Engineering, Material Engineering, Bioengineering, Control, Chemical Engineering, or a related field. Applicants should have, or expect to achieve a first UK honours degree or equivalent qualifications gained outside the UK in an appropriate area of study. The post is open for home and international students.
Our project represents an interdisciplinary collaboration between roboticists (Sheffield Microrobotics Lab), chemical engineers, and clinicians from national hospitals, such as Sheffield Children’s Hospital. As a member of our team, you will receive training in soft-matter fabrication for capsule substrates, fluidics, biologically safe chemical reactions, and remote capsule control. These skills form the core of our laboratory's expertise.
To apply follow the link.
Closing date for applications: as soon as a suitable candidate is found
Starting date: October 2024
About us:
University of Sheffield is a member of the Russell Group of leading UK research universities. The University of Sheffield has been ranked among the top 100 universities in the world in the QS World University Rankings 2023. In addition, the University was named one of the most international universities in the world by Times Higher Education.
The Department of Automatic Control and Systems Engineering (ACSE) has an international reputation for its research excellence. The 2021 Research Excellence Framework (REF) identified 96% of our department’s research as rated in the highest two categories, meaning it is classed as world-leading or internationally excellent.
In the Sheffield Biomedical Robotics Laboratory, our group’s mission is to develop bionic and biomedical robots that support sustained autonomous operation for long-term adaptive healthcare. We have expertise in design, fabrication, control and evaluation of soft robots and biomedical robots.
Fully-funded PhD scholarship in the project 'Development of In-vivo Origami Scaffold for Bowel Dilatation and Long-term Disease Monitoring' [open]
The development of twisted intestines not only makes digestion difficult but also has various negative effects on the patient, such as local accumulation of gas and reduced blood flow. Current treatment for gut dilation is mechanical and invasive, using colonoscopy, but this
only provides a temporary cure and is also hard on the patient. This project will develop an ingestible ‘stay-in-the-body’ device in the form of an origami ‘scaffold’ that will be deployed and reside in the gut for a period of weeks to provide bowel dilatation. The device containing a biomaterial sheet will also monitor abnormalities of a body, for example, pH abnormality. Unlike robots that are generally equipped with electronics, the proposed device is made up of smart sheet materials that can be actuated remotely, deployed mechanically, and chemically respond to physical stimuli such as a high pH value, thus being safe and, in some cases, digestible after use. The team will utilise our international team’s expertise in in-vivo origami robot technology (Dr Miyashita) and implantable robots (Dr Damian). This work is a significant milestone in the development of non-invasive surgery of the gut. It opens the possibilities of (1) Minimally traumatic gut inspection and (2) Unprecedented anomaly sensing for extended periods of time.
Methodology
The proposed research consists of the development of a bio-sensor integrated origami scaffold and its remote control method, as well as the demonstration of its function through experiments on an ex-vivo platform.
Year 1 - The project will design, develop and evaluate the basic functions of the in-vivo scaffold, on its deployability and retractability.
Year 2 - Develop the biosensor for remotely detecting abnormalities of the body, e.g. with a chemical-responsive material (e.g. hydrogel) whose experience in an abnormality results in changing the configuration of magnets that can be sensed remotely.
Year 3 - Integration of the above products and test the ability to support mechanical loads applied in the gut when they are applied.
Year 4 - Write a dissertation (6 months)
Candidates are expected to have a background in one of the following fields: Mechanical Engineering, Robotics, Mechatronics, Electrical Engineering, Material Engineering, Bioengineering, Control, Chemical Engineering, or a related field. Applicants should have, or expect to achieve a first UK honours degree or equivalent qualifications gained outside the UK in an appropriate area of study. The post is open for home and international students.
This project is led by Dr Shuhei Miyashita ( director of Sheffield Microrobotics Lab, ACSE) and Frederik Claeyssens (Materials Science and Engineering Department). As a member of our team, you will receive training in biomaterials fabrication, robotic origami and remote control. These skills form the core of our laboratory's expertise.
To apply follow the UoS centralised application path. For any question contact Dr Miyashita (shuhei.miyashita@sheffield.ac.uk ) or Prof Claeyssens (f.claeyssens@sheffield.ac.uk ).
Closing date for applications: as soon as a suitable candidate is found
Starting date: October 2024
About us:
University of Sheffield is a member of the Russell Group of leading UK research universities. The University of Sheffield has been ranked among the top 100 universities in the world in the QS World University Rankings 2023. In addition, the University was named one of the most international universities in the world by Times Higher Education.
The Department of Automatic Control and Systems Engineering (ACSE) has an international reputation for its research excellence. The 2021 Research Excellence Framework (REF) identified 96% of our department’s research as rated in the highest two categories, meaning it is classed as world-leading or internationally excellent.
In the Sheffield Microrobotics Laboratory, our group’s mission is to develop autonomy in miniature artificial life with biomedical and manufacturing applications. https://sites.google.com/sheffield.ac.uk/microrobotics/home
PhD positions in Biomedical and Soft Robots, and in Miniature Origami Robots [open all year round]
The University of Sheffield's Biomedical Robotics Laboratory and Microrobotics Laboratory within the Department of Automatic Control and Systems Engineering invite applications for PhD Scholarships from talented and excellent graduates, in the following domains:
1. Ingestible Surgical Robots. The aim of this project is to develop a next generation of surgical robots: ingestible, remotely controlled robots and tools that will replace conventional surgical tools and procedures.
2. In-the-body Soft Robots. The project’s mission is to develop bionic and biomedical robots that support sustained autonomous operation for long-term adaptive healthcare.
3. Robotic-driven tissue engineering This project aims to generate a range of off-the-shelf biohybrid scaffolds with enhanced functionality.
4. Fault-tolerant soft robots This project aims to develop a new generation of robots which can withstand damage and conditions disturbances.
Candidates are expected to have a background in one of the following fields: Mechanical Engineering, Robotics, Mechatronics, Electrical Engineering, Material Engineering, Bioengineering, Control, Chemical Engineering, or a related field. Applicants should have, or expect to achieve a first or upper second class UK honours degree or equivalent qualifications gained outside the UK in an appropriate area of study.
There is a possibility of PhD scholarship, based on a competitive process.
Closing date for applications: 24 January 2024, 5pm UK time.
The start date for the positions is October 2024.
Please send your CV to Dr Dana Damian (d.damian@sheffield.ac.uk) for positions 2,3&4 and to Dr Shuhei Miyashita (shuhei.miyashita@sheffield.ac.uk) for position 1 with a cover paragraph stating your eligibility (nationality and residence), interests and suitability for the role. Email title [Project_Opening_Name] - Candidate Name. Please indicate/confirm within this message, if you meet our minimum English Language requirements, and provide evidence of this: https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/acse/research-degrees/applyphd. Please note that subsequently you may need to apply for this position through the university graduates portal; you will be instructed via email if this will be the case.
About us:
University of Sheffield is a member of the Russell Group of leading UK research universities. The University of Sheffield has been ranked among the top 100 universities in the world in the QS World University Rankings 2023. In addition, the University was named one of the most international universities in the world by Times Higher Education.
The Department of Automatic Control and Systems Engineering (ACSE) has an international reputation for its research excellence. The 2021 Research Excellence Framework (REF) identified 96% of our department’s research as rated in the highest two categories, meaning it is classed as world-leading or internationally excellent.
In the Sheffield Biomedical Robotics Laboratory, our group’s mission is to develop bionic and biomedical robots that support sustained autonomous operation for long-term adaptive healthcare. We have expertise in design, fabrication, control and evaluation of soft robots and biomedical robots.