POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCH FELLOW (LIGHT RESPONSIVE SOFT MATTER ROBOTICS)/ TUTKIJATOHTORI (VALORESPONSIIVINEN PEHMEÄN AINEEN ROBOTIIKKA)

Tampere University and Tampere University of Applied Sciences create a unique environment for multidisciplinary, inspirational and high-impact research and education. Our universities community has its competitive edges in technology, health and society. www.tuni.fi/en
The research group on Light Robots at Tampere University, Finland, currently has 8 researchers and is led by Prof. Hao Zeng. The group works at the interface between physics, soft mechanics and material engineering, with particular interests in developing smart materials-based robots that are controlled by light and possess interactive functions.

JOB DESCRIPTION

We are looking for one Postdoctoral Researcher to work on “From light fueled self-oscillators to light communicating material networks”.
Our group is seeking for one Postdoctoral Researchers with strong background and interest in one of the following fields, optics, shape-deformable polymers, micro-fabrication and/or micro-robotics.
Dynamic smart materials that can sense changes in their surroundings and respond in functional way could greatly benefit science and engineering. The ERC-StG ONLINE project seeks to develop life-like material structures that communicate with each other via physical contact, fluidic media or optical beams. These artificial materials will be able to sustain their mechanical oscillation when they are not in thermodynamic equilibrium. Leveraging this self-oscillation concept, ONLINE’s goal is to design microscopic scale soft robots, i.e. walker swarms, cilia array and material network that sustain their own movements, make their own decisions and adapt to their environmental conditions, without human control.
We perform our research mainly on optical tables, with professional skills in material/robot fabrication, via photopolymerization, 2-photon laser lithography, laser cutting, etc., and using the research infrastructure (SEM, XRD, DSC, etc.) that we share with our collaborators.
The exact direction of the research is determined by the project tasks, but responsibilities and research topic can be tailored to the candidate’s skillset, experience and interests. Participation in the project also offers international cooperation possibilities, conferences and scholar visits abroad.

REQUIREMENTS

• PhD degree in relevant fields (e.g., physics, mechanical engineering, materials sciences). Good experimental skills in optics, responsive polymers, micro-fabrication or micro-robotics.
  Tampere University is a unique, multidisciplinary, forward-thinking, and evolving community. Our values are openness, critical thinking, diversity, learner-centredness, courage, erudition, and responsibility. We hope you can embrace these values and promote them in your role.

Please refer the Job description for details