PhD Position: Manufacturing Full 3D Printed Electronic Devices Using 6 Axis Robots and Non-Planar Additive Manufacturing (Full3D) Université Grenoble Alpes in France

This PhD position at Université Grenoble Alpes focuses on developing a novel additive manufacturing process for fabricating fully 3D printed electronic devices using industrial 6-axis robots and non-planar additive manufacturing (AM) techniques. The project, titled Full3D, aims to integrate material science, digital design, multiphysics modeling, and robotic fabrication to create multifunctional, deformable, and structurally integrated electronic systems. The research will be conducted in collaboration between the LGP2 Laboratory (specializing in LDM additive manufacturing, conductive inks, and 3D electric circuits) and the 3SR Laboratory (expert in multiphysics modeling and physical/mechanical characterization), both located on the Grenoble Campus.

A minimum three-month secondment is planned at the ChiLab-ITEM lab of Politecnico di Torino, Italy, which specializes in sensor and circuit design and manufacturing using both conventional and additive technologies. The project will begin with a comprehensive survey of current materials, processes, and applications in 3D electronics. The candidate will identify and characterize suitable electronic inks, investigating their rheological, electrical, and mechanical properties to ensure compatibility with AM techniques such as fused deposition modeling (FDM), CerAM, and additive manufacturing of electronics (AME).

The research will focus on optimizing ink–substrate pairs for reliable, functional 3D systems. In parallel, multiphysics modeling will be used to predict the deformation and electrical performance of printed structures under mechanical stress, with validation through experimental studies involving 3D scanning, X-ray microtomography, and digital volume correlation. The ultimate goal is to develop a complete manufacturing process that integrates multi-material printing and robotic deposition of electronic inks, enabling the fabrication of demonstrators like soft robotic grippers, dampers, and piezoelectric actuators with integrated sensing or energy-harvesting capabilities. The PhD will be supervised by Dr.

Davide Beneventi (LGP2, CNRS), Dr. Laurent Orgéas (3SR, CNRS), and Dr. Valentina Bertana (ChiLab-ITEM, PoliTo), with additional support from a multidisciplinary team of researchers.

The position is part of the PhD@Tec21 Programme, co-funded by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie COFUND actions, and offers a 36-month full-time contract with a gross monthly salary of 2,669 EUR (net 2,050–2,152 EUR), full social security and health insurance, visa fees and doctoral school registration covered, 45 days paid holidays, and possible additional family allowance. The candidate will benefit from access to high-quality research facilities, training, networking events, and support services for international students.

Applicants should hold a Master’s degree in a relevant field (e.g., Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Robotics, Electronics, Mechatronics, or Computational Mechanics) and possess strong experimental, analytical, and interdisciplinary research skills. Experience with additive manufacturing, electronic ink formulation, or robotic control software is advantageous. The application deadline is February 28, 2026.

For more information and to apply, visit the PhD@Tec21 application portal.