PhD Position in Self-assembled Colloidal Micromachines

We welcome applications for a PhD position in the field of interface and colloids science. The position will be based in the Multi-Scale Robotics Lab in the Institute of Robotics and Intelligent Systems at ETH Zurich, Switzerland. The 4-year project is part of an Ambizione grant funded by the Swiss National Science Foundation. The successful candidate will work directly under the supervision of the Ambizione grantee, Dr. Minghan Hu.

Artificial intelligence enables robotic machines to autonomously adapt to their surroundings and perform complex tasks. Unlike large machines, micro- and nanomachines cannot host bulky computational units to generate intelligence. The intelligence of small-scale machines, including sensing, control and adaptation, can only stem from their physical bodies through various responsive mechanisms. Despite growing efforts in this field, encoding diverse types of intelligence into micromachines is still essentially unexplored.

In this project, we aim to develop a toolbox-like assembly strategy to build intelligent micromachines with multiple responsiveness. The expected output of this project will address fundamental questions in robotics as well as advance the development of intelligent micromachines for complex biomedical and environmental applications.

This project will be conducted under Dr. Minghan Hu’s supervision and based in the laboratory of Prof. Bradley Nelson and Prof. Salvador Pane at ETH Zurich. The biomedical application of micromachines will be conducted in close collaboration with Prof. David Mooney’s lab at Harvard University.

Your tasks will involve:

•  Synthesis and functionalization of nano-colloids using miniemulsion technique

•  Develop different self-assembly methods towards assembled colloidal micromachines

•  Perform complex biomedical and environmental tasks with customized micromachines

•  Disseminate scientific results in international conferences and peer-reviewed journals

We offer a full-time position for the duration of your 4-year doctoral studies with the earliest starting date of 01.01.2024. You will work in an interdisciplinary team of researchers with strong expertise in polymers, colloids and microrobotics. Furthermore, you will collaborate with well-known researchers spanning from Switzerland, Germany to USA. Throughout the project there will be mentoring opportunities, including bachelor and master students’ projects and theses. You will actively participate in group and institute duties and activities. As an integral part of your work, you will publish your results in peer-reviewed journals and present them at (inter)national conferences.

You have:

•  A master’s degree in chemistry, materials science or related disciplines from a recognized university

•  An excellent track record and meet the general admission requirements for a doctorate at ETH Zurich

•  Prior experience in responsive polymeric systems, ideally, with nano-colloids

•  Good knowledge of interfaces and colloid science, e.g. emulsion, self-assembly

•  Know-how in microfluidic synthesis systems is an advantage

•  Curiosity, open-mindedness, and good communication skills

•  Proficient oral and written English skills