Post-doc in advanced electronic materials, soft actuators and flexible electronics (1.0 FTE) (V24.0335)

Are you a passionate researcher with expertise in advanced electronic materials, soft actuators, flexible electronics, and wearable sensors? Do you thrive in an interdisciplinary and innovative research environment? We invite you to join our cutting-edge project, SEALSENSE (https://www.rug.nl/research/enteg/news/erc-starting-grant-for-ajay-kottapalli?lang=en), funded by the European Union's European Research Council (ERC) Starting Grant.

We are seeking a highly motivated and independent Postdoctoral candidate with expertise in advanced electronic materials, soft actuators, flexible electronics, and wearable sensors. The ideal candidate should be eager to work in an interdisciplinary environment. As a Postdoc, you will collaborate with our dynamic team of enthusiastic PhDs and Postdocs, who specialize in MEMS, electronic materials, flexible electronics, biomimetics, sensor technology, and biomedical sensors. Together, we aim to drive innovation and advance the frontiers of sensor technology. This postdoctoral position is for a duration of two years.

The postdoctoral candidate will conduct research in the broad fields of flexible electronic devices and soft actuators. The candidate will design, fabricate, and test multifunctional soft actuators inspired by animals and human muscles. Additionally, the role involves developing and characterizing flexible electronic sensors using various printed electronics technologies, including aerosol jet printing, inkjet printing, and 3D printing functional elements.

In particular, the candidate will

• Design and fabricate various multi-functional soft robotic electrohydraulic actuators developed using novel soft materials.
• Develop flexible electronic sensors through electronic printing technologies, mainly aerosol jet printing and inkjet printing.
• Develop 3D printed soft hydrogel actuators.
• Explore 3D printing as a method to fabricate novel functional material based sensing elements.
• Develop and test the animal and human muscle inspired soft actuators in various applications.

Organisation
Since its foundation in 1614, the University of Groningen has enjoyed an international reputation as a dynamic and innovative centre of higher education offering high-quality teaching and research. Balanced study and career paths in a wide variety of disciplines encourage currently more than 30,000 students and researchers to develop their own individual talents. Belonging to the best research universities in Europe and the top 100 universities in the world (see our ranking: http://www.rug.nl/about-us/where-do-we-stand/rankings, the University of Groningen is truly an international place of knowledge. Within the Faculty of Science and Engineering (FSE), the Engineering and Technology institute Groningen (ENTEG - https://www.rug.nl/research/enteg/?lang=en) conducts engineering science research and covers a broad area of mechanical engineering, electronic materials and MEMS, nanotechnology, control engineering, materials engineering.

• Have at least a PhD degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science and Engineering or another related engineering education.
• Work experience with an experimental background in flexible sensors and soft actuators, flexible and printed electronics (candidates with a background only in computations and simulations are not eligible).
• Experience with experimental sensor fabrication equipment and techniques such as aerosol jet printing, inkjet printing, hydrogel 3D printing, 3D printed electronics, electroprinting, electrospinning, aerosol jet printing.
• Experience with lithographic microfabrication process flows in a cleanroom is a plus.
• Experience in electronics miniaturization and sensor data acquisition and processing via arduino boards and microcontrollers. Hands-on experience in material and electromechanical characterization tools such as SEM, nanoindenter, tension/compression testers, and electron.
• Excellent research qualities, as evidenced by a publication record in international peer-reviewed journals and renowned conferences, and a relevant international network.
• A dynamic, creative and pioneering professional attitude.
• Ability to work independently and with colleagues.
• A problem solving ability.
• Cross-cultural sensitivity and strong communication skills
• Able to communicate and teach in English, and Dutch is an advantage.

We offer you in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities:

• A salary from a minimum of € 3,877 gross per month up to a maximum of € 5,090 gross per month (salary scale 10) based on a full-time position and dependent on qualification and work experience.
• A holiday allowance of 8% gross annual income
• An 8.3% end-of-the-year allowance
• A position for 1 year with a possibility of extension to 1 more year.

The application should include:

• Motivation letter (1 page).
• CV which includes a full list of publications.
• Research statement (1-2 Pages).
• Copy of the PhD diploma or estimated time of graduation.
• Contact details of 3 academic references.

You may apply for this position until 9 July 11:59pm / before 10 July 2024 Dutch local time (CEST) by means of the application form (click on "Apply" below on the advertisement on the university website).

The University of Groningen strives to be a university in which students and staff are respected and feel at home, regardless of differences in background, experiences, perspectives, and identities. We believe that working on our core values of inclusion and equality are a joint responsibility and we are constructively working on creating a socially safe environment. Diversity among students and staff members enriches academic debate and contributes to the quality of our teaching and research. We therefore invite applicants from underrepresented groups in particular to apply. For more information, see also our diversity policy webpage: https://www.rug.nl/about-ug/policy-and-strategy/diversity-and-inclusion/

Our selection procedure follows the guidelines of the Recruitment code (NVP): https://www.nvp-hrnetwerk.nl/nl/sollicitatiecode and European Commission's European Code of Conduct for recruitment of researchers: https://euraxess.ec.europa.eu/jobs/charter/code

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