LITAC Scholarship

Two PhD studentships are available at the STORM Lab, University of Leeds, in collaboration with ETH Zurich and the Leeds Institute of Textiles and Colour. The projects focus on magnetic robots for surgical applications, including Intelligent Multi-scale Magnetic Robots for Endoluminal Surgical Applications and Fibre-Based Next Generation Magnetic Vine Robots.

The STORM Lab works on science and technology of robotics in medicine, with research spanning magnetic manipulation, magnetic localisation, soft medical robots, robotic endoscopy, capsule robots, and minimally invasive surgery. The advertised project highlighted in the funding page investigates a fibre-based manufacturing route for magnetic vine robots, combining textile and nonwoven manufacturing with soft robotics and magnetic actuation.

The successful candidate will join the University of Leeds and work with Professor Pietro Valdastri, Professor Stephen Russell, and Professor Giuseppe Tronci. The project is interdisciplinary and connects robotics, materials science, mechanical design, and medical device development. It is especially relevant to students interested in biomedical engineering, robotics, materials science, and surgical technologies.

Funding is fully provided for the PhD studentship: full academic fees plus a maintenance stipend in line with UKRI rates, with an additional £10,000 LITAC grant for personal development, dissemination, and consumables. The award is for 3 years full-time, and applicants must be eligible for Home (UK) fee status. International relocation costs are not covered.

The deadline is 30 June 2026, with a start date of 1 October 2026. Applicants must first apply for a research place of study and obtain a 9-digit student ID number, then submit the scholarship application form and all supporting documents before the deadline.