PhD position in the development of life-like materials that learn, remember, and forget for use in soft robotics — Empa
- Location
- St. Gallen
- Contract
- full-time
- Posted
- 3 days ago
Role overview
Materials science and technology are our passion.
With our cutting-edge research, Empa's around 1,100 employees make essential contributions to the well-being of society for a future worth living.
Empa is a research institution of the ETH Domain.
- Materials science and technology are our passion.
- With our cutting-edge research, Empa's around 1,100 employees make essential contributions to the well-being of society for a future worth living.
- The candidate should have a strong background in Organic Chemistry, Polymer Chemistry, Materials Science, or a closely related field.
- We are looking for a highly motivated, curious person who enjoys working at the interface of synthetic chemistry, materials science, and soft robotics, who is comfortable in a multidisciplinary, collaborative environment.
Key requirements
- The candidate should have a strong background in Organic Chemistry, Polymer Chemistry, Materials Science, or a closely related field.
- We are looking for a highly motivated, curious person who enjoys working at the interface of synthetic chemistry, materials science, and soft robotics, who is comfortable in a multidisciplinary, collaborative environment.
- The PhD candidate needs to be highly proficient in spoken and written English and hold a Master's degree.
- S/he will participate in writing scientific publications and presenting data at national and international scientific conferences.
- Previous experience in one or more of the following areas is required:
- Polymer/polyurethane synthesis and characterization
- Molecular switches (e.g., photochromic, halochromic, or thermochromic systems)
- Standard analytical methods (NMR, UV-Vis, FTIR, and related techniques)
- Thermomechanical characterization of polymers (DSC, DMA, tensile testing) Experience with soft actuators or soft robotic systems is a plus but not required. Our offer
- This project is part of an SNSF Ambizione grant led by Dr.
- Livius F.
- Muff, hosted in the group of Dr.
Application process
- We look forward to receiving your complete online application including a letter of motivation, CV, certificates, diplomas and contact details of two reference persons.
- Please submit these exclusively via our job portal.
Contacts
- Applications by e-mail and by post will not be considered.
Additional details
- In this PhD project, you will synthesize and characterize semi-crystalline polyurethane elastomers containing backbone-integrated photo-, halo-, and thermochromic molecular switches, and investigate how their interactions can be engineered to produce quantifiable memory and learning behaviors.
- Contribute to integrating learning materials into soft robotic bilayer actuators and, together with the wider team, demonstrate behavioral adaptation in autonomous soft robots. Collaborate with international partners
- Thermomechanical characterization of polymers (DSC, DMA, tensile testing) Experience with soft actuators or soft robotic systems is a plus but not required.
Notes and original content
- Your tasks
- Contribute to integrating learning materials into soft robotic bilayer actuators and, together with the wider team, demonstrate behavioral adaptation in autonomous soft robots.
- Collaborate with international partners
- Your profile
Questions about this listing
What salary does Empa offer for this role?
Empa lists CHF 57'500 - 87'000 gross per year for this position in St. Gallen. This is the salary published in the original listing (or, when the employer omits a figure, a realistic estimate for the role and sector) — the calculator on this site converts it to your actual net take-home once cross-border tax and social contributions are applied.
Is this a full-time role, and what type of contract does Empa offer?
This listing is a full-time position. The contract type shown here comes directly from the employer's original posting; always confirm exact hours, notice period and probation length with Empa during the application process, since these details can vary by role even within the same contract category.
Do I need a cross-border work permit for a role in St. Gallen?
EU/EFTA residents living in the border zone of the country adjoining Canton St. Gallen can apply for a G permit; the Swiss employer files it with that canton's migration office after the contract is signed. Border-zone rules and processing times vary by neighbouring country and canton, so confirm the specifics with St. Gallen's cantonal migration office or with HR during the application.
How do I apply for this position at Empa?
Use the "Apply now" button on this page — it links directly to Empa's original listing at apply.refline.ch, so your application goes straight to the employer's own applicant-tracking system. Frontaliere Ticino does not collect or forward applications itself.
