Website Eindhoven University of Technology
Job description
Mechanical Contact Information Processing for Soft Large-Area Robotic Skin
PhD Thesis
Project Description
Job Description
The need for autonomous robots capable of physically interacting with the world in a flexible and adaptive manner is growing rapidly in a variety of industries and societies. These robots are required to perform heavy, non-ergonomic tasks in unstructured environments or to assist humans with physically demanding tasks. Haptic robotics is an emerging and challenging field that focuses on the development of tactile sensing and perception technologies that enable robots to respond intelligently to contact.
While significant progress has been made in finger-scale tactile sensing, challenges remain in developing soft, large-area robotic skins. A major obstacle is how to collect enough contact information on a robot surface when the skin covers a large, curved body area with a limited number of embedded sensors.
Important contact information, such as contact area, orientation, pressure distribution, and even the initial state of sliding, typically cannot be measured directly. Instead, this information must be estimated from sensor signals generated by a mechanical model of the skin during contact. Advancing our understanding of this mechanical contact information processing is critical to improving the feasibility and value of robotic skin technology.
In this position, you will study the mechanics of soft robotic skin, conducting experiments to develop a mechanical contact processing model that estimates contact information from sensors embedded in soft elastomers.
The main goals and challenges of this PhD position include
Designing a contact experimental setup for contact analysis using existing robotic skins, supported by mechanical design in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Electronic Science and Technology (UEST) and haptic sensor electronics in the Department of Electrical Engineering at the University of Electronic Science and Technology (UEST).
With the assistance of the Department of Computer Science at the University of Electronic Science and Technology (UEST), numerical models were developed to simulate soft, large-area robotic skins with embedded haptic sensors for finite-element-based deformable-body simulations.
Modeling of mechanical contact processing is investigated, integrating physically-based numerical models and data-driven approaches (e.g., Physical Information Multi-Modeling) to estimate contact information.
Evaluate and validate the accuracy of contact information estimation.
This project builds on the previous work of Dr. Hyosang Lee (link). This position is part of the Robotics Division (RBT) in the Department of Mechanical Engineering and is in conjunction with the Dynamics and Controls Division (D
Job Requirements
Possess a Master’s degree (or equivalent) in a signal processing related field such as mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, control engineering, or a related discipline.
Background knowledge in numerical methods, experience in contact and solid mechanics is preferred.
Experience in high and low level programming (C/C++ and MATLAB/Python) and machine learning.
Interest in mechatronics and robotics is desirable but not required.
Research oriented mindset and eagerness to take on exciting challenges.
Willingness or ability to participate in multidisciplinary collaborative projects.
Motivated to develop teaching skills and mentor junior students (undergraduate and masters).
Proficiency in spoken and written English (level C1 or above).
Conditions of employment
A meaningful job in a dynamic and ambitious university, in an interdisciplinary environment and within an international network. You will work on a beautiful green campus within walking distance of the central train station. In addition, we offer you
Four years of full-time employment, with a mid-term evaluation (go/no-go) after nine months.10% of your working time will be devoted to teaching duties.
Salary and benefits (e.g. pension scheme, paid pregnancy and maternity leave, partially paid parental leave) in accordance with the Dutch Universities Collective Labor Agreement at level P (minimum €2,901, maximum €3,707).
8.3% year-end bonus and 8% annual vacation pay.
High-quality training programs and other support to help you grow as a self-aware, autonomous scientific researcher. At TU/e, we encourage you to learn on your own.
First-class technical infrastructure, on-campus nursery and sports facilities.
Subsidized commuting, work-from-home and internet costs.
Employee immigration panel and tax compensation program for international candidates (30% facilitation).
https://jobs.tue.nl/en/vacancy/phd-mechanical-contact-information-processing-of-soft-and-largearea-robot-skin-1147911. html?p_showpopup=true=academictransfer=website=academictransfer
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Europe, The Netherlands
Doctoral dissertation</position_name
Eindhoven University of Technology
Mechanical Contact Information Processing in Soft Large Area Robot Skin
Minimum 2,901€, maximum 3,707€</job_salary
https://www.tue.nl/en/
2025-04-22
[email protected]
true
true</is_doctoral_position
false</is_master_position
false
offer requirements
JOB REQUIREMENTS
Possess a Master’s degree (or equivalent) in a signal processing related field such as mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, control engineering, or a related discipline.
Background knowledge in numerical methods, experience in contact and solid mechanics is preferred.
Experience in high and low level programming (C/C++ and MATLAB/Python) and machine learning.
Interest in mechatronics and robotics is desirable but not required.
Research oriented mindset and eagerness to take on exciting challenges.
Willingness or ability to participate in multidisciplinary collaborative projects.
Motivated to develop teaching skills and mentor junior students (undergraduate and masters).
Proficiency in spoken and written English (level C1 or above).
Conditions of employment
A meaningful job in a dynamic and ambitious university, in an interdisciplinary environment and within an international network. You will work on a beautiful green campus within walking distance of the central train station. In addition, we offer you
Four years of full-time employment, with a mid-term evaluation (go/no-go) after nine months.10% of your working time will be devoted to teaching duties.
Salary and benefits (e.g. pension scheme, paid pregnancy and maternity leave, partially paid parental leave) in accordance with the Dutch Universities Collective Labor Agreement at level P (minimum €2,901, maximum €3,707).
8.3% year-end bonus and 8% annual vacation pay.
High-quality training programs and other support to help you grow as a self-aware, autonomous scientific researcher. At TU/e, we encourage you to learn on your own.
First-class technical infrastructure, on-campus nursery and sports facilities.
Subsidized commuting, work-from-home and internet costs.
Employee immigration panel and tax compensation program for international candidates (30% facilitation).
https://jobs.tue.nl/en/vacancy/phd-mechanical-contact-information-processing-of-soft-and-largearea-robot-skin-1147911. html?p_showpopup=true=academictransfer=website=academictransfer
false
Europe, The Netherlands
Doctoral dissertation</position_name
Eindhoven University of Technology
Mechanical Contact Information Processing in Soft Large Area Robot Skin
Minimum 2,901€, maximum 3,707€</job_salary
https://www.tue.nl/en/
2025-04-22
[email protected]
true
true</is_doctoral_position
false</is_master_position
false
offer benefits
Conditions of Employment
A meaningful job in a dynamic and ambitious university, in an interdisciplinary environment and within an international network. You will work on a beautiful green campus within walking distance of the central train station. In addition, we offer you
Four years of full-time employment, with a mid-term evaluation (go/no-go) after nine months.10% of your working time will be devoted to teaching duties.
Salary and benefits (e.g. pension scheme, paid pregnancy and maternity leave, partially paid parental leave) in accordance with the Dutch Universities Collective Labor Agreement at level P (minimum €2,901, maximum €3,707).
8.3% year-end bonus and 8% annual vacation pay.
High-quality training programs and other support to help you grow as a self-aware, autonomous scientific researcher. At TU/e, we encourage you to learn on your own.
First-class technical infrastructure, on-campus nursery and sports facilities.
Subsidized commuting, work-from-home and internet costs.
Employee immigration panel and tax compensation program for international candidates (30% facilitation).
https://jobs.tue.nl/en/vacancy/phd-mechanical-contact-information-processing-of-soft-and-largearea-robot-skin-1147911. html?p_showpopup=true=academictransfer=website=academictransfer
false
Europe, The Netherlands
Doctoral dissertation</position_name
Eindhoven University of Technology
Mechanical Contact Information Processing in Soft Large Area Robot Skin
Minimum 2,901€, maximum 3,707€</job_salary
https://www.tue.nl/en/
2025-04-22
[email protected]
true
true</is_doctoral_position
false</is_master_position
false
To apply for this job please visit tue.nl.