The Robotic Materials group is looking for a highly motivated PhD candidate for the topic of sustainable robotics.

The Robotic Materials group headed by Prof. Hedan Bai at Department of Materials was established in October 2023. We are an international and interdisciplinary team of material scientists, roboticists and chemists with a passion for futuristic robotics. We take a bottom-​up approach to robotics and develop soft materials and devices that would enable unusual form and unconventional functions for broader robotic applications.

Natural organisms evolved to be extraordinary survivors thanks to their self-healing abilities. Robots with comparable survivability could not only address pressing issues of sustainability, but also unlock powerful robotic functions such as resilience and intelligence towards physical damage. We envision a class of sustainable robots that are not easily damaged, can self-heal from damage, can survive catastrophic failure, and can be recycled or reprocessed at the end of life. The goal of this project is to develop novel sustainable soft materials and demonstrate the sustainable robotic functions in the real-​world environment.

• Design and synthesis of functional sustainable soft materials
• Design and fabrication of devices and robots
• Circular life cycle study

This is a full-time position that starts as soon as possible. Applications are evaluated on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

• Master's degree in Materials Science, Chemistry, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related field from a top-notch university. Background in polymer chemistry is a plus
• A Maker, an Engineer, and a Scientist. We are looking for candidates with strong hands-on skills in building complex engineering systems, abundant scientific curiosity to explore the unknowns, and unwavering efforts to overcome obstacles
• Proficiency in oral and written English
• Team player. Enjoy working in an open, diverse, and interdisciplinary team

• A productive working environment with training and guidance from the PI on a regular basis
• Competitive salary according to ETH standards for doctoral students (fully funded, full-time, fixed term position)
• An interdisciplinary, international, and diverse team of talents and a stimulating, vibrant work environment

In line with our values, ETH Zurich encourages an inclusive culture. We promote equality of opportunity, value diversity and nurture a working and learning environment in which the rights and dignity of all our staff and students are respected. Visit our Equal Opportunities and Diversity website to find out how we ensure a fair and open environment that allows everyone to grow and flourish.

We look forward to receiving your online application with the following documents:

• Statement of research achievements and interest (<1 page)
• CV
• BSc and MS transcripts
• Names and contact information of at least 2 references
• Representative publication/thesis

Questions regarding the position should be directed to Prof. Hedan Bai at [email protected] .

ETH Zurich is one of the world’s leading universities specialising in science and technology. We are renowned for our excellent education, cutting-edge fundamental research and direct transfer of new knowledge into society. Over 30,000 people from more than 120 countries find our university to be a place that promotes independent thinking and an environment that inspires excellence. Located in the heart of Europe, yet forging connections all over the world, we work together to develop solutions for the global challenges of today and tomorrow.