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Hedan Bai

1 year ago

Robotics and Materials Science ETH Zürich in Switzerland

Degree Level

PhD, Postdoc

Field of study

Biomedical Engineering

Funding

Competitive salary according to ETH standards; fully funded, full-time, fixed term position; funded by ERC Starting Grant (Horizon Europe).

Deadline

Expired

Country flag

Country

Switzerland

University

ETH Zürich

Suggested positions

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ETH Zurich

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Switzerland

ETH Zurich’s Soft Robotics Lab in the Institute of Robotics and Intelligent Systems is recruiting several postdoctoral researchers in robot learning , soft robotics , musculoskeletal robotics , and biohybrid robotics . The lab works across four closely connected directions: compliant and musculoskeletal robot design, biohybrid living systems and tissue engineering, dexterous manipulation and learning for contact-rich tasks, and simulation/fabrication for embodied AI. Candidates may focus on buil...

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ETH Zurich

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Switzerland

RobotX PhD Fellowship 2027 at ETH Zurich is an opportunity for outstanding doctoral applicants interested in robotics research across the RobotX network at ETH Zurich in Switzerland. The fellowship spans a broad set of research directions, including soft robotics , robotic locomotion and manipulation , biohybrid robots , perception and computer vision , human-robot interaction , computational design and fabrication , reinforcement learning and machine learning , humanoid robotics , tactile sensi...

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Publisher
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ETH Zurich

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Switzerland

ETH Zurich’s Center for Robotics, RobotX, is inviting applications for the RobotX Postdoctoral Fellowship in robotics . The fellowship is designed for outstanding postdoctoral researchers who want to build robots that work in the real world and collaborate across multiple RobotX research groups at ETH Zurich. The research scope is broad and includes soft and musculoskeletal robotics , robotic locomotion and manipulation , biohybrid robots , perception and computer vision , human-robot interactio...

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Robert Katzschmann

ETH Zürich

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Switzerland

ETH Zürich’s Soft Robotics Lab in the Institute of Robotics and Intelligent Systems is recruiting several postdoctoral researchers in robot learning and soft, musculoskeletal, and biohybrid robotics . The lab works across four tightly connected directions: soft and musculoskeletal robotics, biohybrid living systems, dexterous manipulation and robot learning, and simulation for embodied AI. The team is especially interested in candidates who either design and build the robots themselves or develo...

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2 months ago

Publisher
source

ETH Zurich

Country flag

Switzerland

ETH Zurich’s Soft Robotics Lab is inviting applications for several doctoral positions in robot learning , soft robotics , musculoskeletal robotics , and biohybrid robotics . The lab works at the intersection of hardware, biology, and learning: compliant mechanisms, tendon-driven and electrohydraulic actuation, dexterous manipulation, imitation learning, reinforcement learning, sim-to-real transfer, tactile sensing, embodied AI, and tissue engineering/bioprinting. Candidates may focus on either ...

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2 months ago

Keywords

Biomedical Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
Electrical Engineering
Materials Science
Optics
Health Science
Polymer Chemistry
Surgical Robotics
Microfabrication
Polymer Synthesis
Soft Robotics
Fiber Technology
Robotics
Multi-robot Systems
Biomaterials

About this position

The Robotic Materials group at ETH Zürich, led by Prof. Hedan Bai, is recruiting two postdoctoral researchers and one PhD student for the ERC Starting Grant project "Distributed Addressable Robotic Material via Wavelength-Division-Multiplexing (ColorfulAct)." This ambitious project aims to develop distributed, addressable robotic actuating materials that demonstrate multifunctionality through the broad bandwidth of light, establishing the building blocks of physical intelligence in parallel to artificial intelligence. The group, based in the Department of Materials, is interdisciplinary and international, bringing together material scientists, roboticists, engineers, and chemists passionate about futuristic robotics.

Research will focus on three tracks: (1) fiber-based soft optical actuators, (2) soft optical actuator networks for light multiplexing, and (3) biomedical soft robots using light, including the design and synthesis of biocompatible materials and minimally invasive devices for medical applications. All positions involve experimental research, device fabrication, and system-level demonstrations, as well as opportunities to supervise junior students and assist in teaching. Applicants for postdoc positions must hold a PhD in a relevant field and have a strong experimental background with documented achievements in soft actuators or robotic materials, as well as leadership and communication skills. PhD applicants should have a master’s degree and an outstanding academic record in a related field, with demonstrated research experience in soft actuators, optics, materials design, or biomedical robotics.

Preferred expertise includes fiber manufacturing, optics, microfabrication, and polymer/biomaterial synthesis. The positions are fully funded with competitive salaries according to ETH standards, and the group offers a vibrant, collaborative environment with strong academic, industrial, and clinical connections. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, with full consideration for those submitted before October 15th, 2025. The preferred start date is December 1st, 2025.

Applications must be submitted as a single PDF through the application portal and should include a cover letter specifying the track(s) of interest, CV, publication list with highlights, and contact details for two referees. ETH Zürich is a world-leading university in science and technology, renowned for its excellence in education and research, and is committed to diversity and equal opportunity.

Funding details

Competitive salary according to ETH standards; fully funded, full-time, fixed term position; funded by ERC Starting Grant (Horizon Europe).

What's required

For postdocs: PhD degree in Materials Science, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering or related field from a top university; strong experimental background with documented achievements in soft actuators, devices, or robotic materials; ability to independently lead research projects and mentor junior researchers; strong communication skills. For PhD: Master's degree and outstanding academic record from a top university in Materials Science, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering or 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 expertise includes fiber manufacturing, optics, microfabrication, and polymer/biomaterial synthesis.

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Professors

Professor at ETH Zürich

University Name

ETH Zürich

Research Interests

Polymer Chemistry

Biomaterials

Soft Robotics

Polymer Synthesis

Robotics