The Technische Universiteit Eindhoven (TU/e) has the following vacancy “Postdoc in Micro-robotics” (V35.390) at the Micro- and Nano- Scale Engineering Group of the Mechanical Engineering Department.

The Department of Mechanical Engineering considers as the core of their activities design,realization and analysis of new products, processes and materials. Besides the basis of (solid and fluid) mechanics, materials, control and thermodynamics, parts of mathematics, physics, chemistry and computing science are important supporting tools. The field is explored by a combination of modelling using fundamental concepts and applied engineering and technology. The Mechanical Engineering Department comprises about 950 students and 250 staff members.

The research group for Micro- and Nano-scale engineering has a broad interest for relevant technology that can solve micro- and nano-scales engineering problems. In particular, it has special interest in non-silicon-based systems (like polymer MEMS and non-lithographic approaches). The activities in this group focus on:

• Micro- and nano- fabrication;
• Fluidics, sensors and actuators;
• System integration.

Within the framework of a European project the TU/e coordinates a project oriented toward bio-inspired assembly that involves eleven partners across Europe. The objective is to mimic methods used by Nature to interface organic and non-organic material and to perform self-assembly of meso-scale components i.e. with typical dimensions ranging from 10 to 100 microns.

For this project, we have an opening for a postdoc in micro-robotics for the development of innovative principles for simultaneous transportation of a large collection of micro-parts.

Tasks
You will investigate and develop a collective micro-manipulation system for large number of parts. In particular, you will focus on scalable array of micro-actuators to transport sub-millimetre micro-
parts.

Requirements
We are looking for outstanding candidate who meets the following requirements:
• PhD in Applied Physics, Mechanical Engineering, Micro-Engineering or similar.
• Previous experience in actuators design, micro-robotics and/or MEMS design is required.
• A strong interest for multidisciplinary research and modelling.
• Strong analytical skills.
• Good communication skills in English.

Appointment and Salary
We offer:
• a challenging job in a dynamic and ambitious university, with a fulltime contract for one year
• Gross monthly salaries are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement of the Dutch Universities (CAO NU). The salary will be based on previous experiences.
• Support with your personal development and career planning.
• A dynamic, multi-lingual working environment with state-of-the-art laboratory equipments and facilities.
• The possibility to work on an attractive multi-national project that includes both academic and industrial partners from six different countries.
• There is an attractive package of fringe benefits, including excellent work facilities, child care and sport facilities.

Additional Information
• about this particular Postdoc topic: dr. Yves Bellouard, Ass. Prof., tel.: +31 (0)40 2473715, email: y.bellouard@tue.nl)
• about the group of micro-/nano- scale engineering: http://www.wtb.tue.nl/mnse/index.htm.
• about working in The Netherlands and employment conditions at the TU/e: M.A.J. Hurkmans, Personnel Department, tel.: +31 (0)40 2474163, email: pzwtb@tue.nl

Application process
Please send your written application with extended curriculum vitae to: Mr. ir. A.W.J. Bruekers, Managing Director (email: pzwtb@tue.nl), Department of Mechanical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, P.O. Box 513, 5600MB Eindhoven, The
Netherlands, mentioning vacancy number V35.390.