Doctoral Student Positions (m/f/d) | Robotic Composites

Dr. Buse Aktaş is looking for several doctoral students to join her new RoCoCo (Robotic Composites and Compositions) Max Planck Research Group at MPI-IS in Stuttgart starting from February 1, 2025.

Our new lab works at the intersection of mechanics, robotics, materials, and design, benefiting from and contributing to sub-fields such as soft and underactuated robots, architected materials, modular robotics, granular matter, swarm robotics, and circular engineering. We focus on the design, fabrication, modeling, and testing of active composite metamaterials which can function not only as structural components but also as actuators and sensors. We develop experimental, theoretical, and computational approaches to address key challenges in minimally invasive medical procedures, sustainable manufacturing, and human-material interaction.  

Specific research directions include: 

• Remote-controlled magnetic assemblies (um and mm scale) for surgical procedures, which can self-assemble in situ, perform precise delicate procedures as an assembly, and then disassemble for easy removal
• Life-cycle design of robotic aggregates to enable circular sustainability, with the aim of replacing existing irreversible traditional fabrication techniques (e.g. melting) with reversible structural phenomenon (e.g. jamming)
• Metamaterial fabrication and design inspired by traditional craft techniques such as broom-making, basketry, and lacemaking
• Human studies involving physical interaction with active matter, focusing on dynamic changes in object properties such as stiffness or plasticity
• The details of the PhD research and its specific milestones will be determined jointly with the candidate and will depend on the expertise and interests of the candidate.  

Education & experience

• Master’s degree in materials science, mechanical engineering, civil engineering, electrical engineering, physics, mechatronics, or a related field
• Excellent communication skills in English (written and spoken), as English is the working language in the lab and the institute
• Experience with one or more forms of prototyping (e.g. mold-making and casting, microfabrication, knitting/sewing, lithography, metalworking, woodworking)
• Programming skills for simulation or modeling (e.g., MATLAB, Python, finite element analysis software, rigid-body dynamics simulations), or a willingness to learn
• Prior research in fields such as soft robotics, solid mechanics, composite materials, magnetic materials, or human-robot interaction is a plus, but not required
• Interest in mentoring and co-mentoring visiting students, summer interns, and/or master’s students
• Interest in helping establish a new lab, not only by shaping its research focus, designing the lab space, and selecting new equipment, but also by contributing to the development of its organizational structure and culture

Our offer

• An international, multidisciplinary, and highly motivating working environment
• Extensive mentoring, supervision, and career-planning opportunities
• Access to state-of-the-art lab facilities, including advanced fabrication and testing equipment
• Collaborations with world-leading research groups at MPI-IS and beyond
• Networking opportunities through conferences, seminars, and research visits
• Financial contribution to the job ticket (ÖPNV)

The PhD student will receive a PhD funding contract equivalent in remuneration to pay group E13, 75% of the Public Service Wage Agreement (TVöD-Bund) guidelines.

The preferred start date is February 1, 2025. Doctoral positions are fully funded with an initial 3-year contract with the possibility of an extension.

Application

Applications should include a curriculum vitae, a cover letter, and contact information for 2-3 references. In the cover letter (written in English, no more than two pages long) please describe the research direction(s) that interest you from the above list, why you’re drawn to them, and how your previous experiences have prepared you for this role.

Please upload your application to our application portal.

The application deadline is December 15, 2024. The positions will be open until filled.

For further information about the position, please contact Dr. Buse Aktaş buse.aktas@is.mpg.de.

The Max Planck Society is committed to increasing the number of individuals with disabilities in its workforce and therefore encourages applications from such qualified individuals. The Max Planck Society strives for gender equality and diversity. Furthermore, the Max Planck Society seeks to increase the number of women and non-binary individuals in those areas where they are underrepresented and therefore explicitly encourages them to apply.

IMPRS-IS Doctoral School

In addition to this application, applicants are encouraged to apply to the International Max Planck Research School (IMPRS) for Intelligent Systems, listing Buse Aktaş as a potential doctoral supervisor. IMPRS-IS is an interdisciplinary doctoral school operated jointly by MPI-IS, the University of Stuttgart, and the University of Tübingen. Applications for IMPRS-IS are handled independently. The application deadline for IMPRS-IS is November 15, 2024. For further information visit the IMPRS Website.