Doctoral Position in Soft and Musculoskeletal Robotics
Join ETH Zurich's Soft Robotics Lab to research soft, musculoskeletal, and biohybrid robotic systems.
Best for:Best for master's graduates in robotics, mechanical engineering, or computer science with a passion for hardware prototyping and embodied AI.
Overview
The Soft Robotics Lab at ETH Zurich invites applications for open doctoral positions focusing on soft and musculoskeletal robotics, biohybrid systems, robot learning, and embodied AI. Successful candidates will design and build innovative robotic architectures that depart from traditional rigid structures, bridging hardware development, biological integration, and advanced control. Candidates are expected to define their own research direction within the lab's core themes, engage in rapid prototyping, and conduct rigorous real-world experimentation. The position offers access to state-of-the-art fabrication and biological facilities, providing a collaborative environment for high-impact interdisciplinary research.
What you'll do
- Take research ideas from initial concept to fully functioning robotic systems through architecture design, hardware fabrication, and system integration
- Conduct rapid prototyping, measurement, and iterative testing to validate designs via systematic real-world experiments
- Engineer compliant materials, artificial actuators, and living tissue to recreate bones, joints, and muscles inspired by biological systems
- Develop control and perception methods that operate effectively on real, contact-compliant hardware rather than exclusively in simulation
- Culture and bioprint biological tissue to serve as controllable actuators when focusing on biohybrid research directions
- Publish research findings in top-tier academic venues and contribute open-source hardware designs and code to the community
Requirements
Degree required: Master's degree in mechanical engineering, robotics, mechatronics, electrical engineering, computer science, materials science, bioengineering, or a closely related field
Degree offered: PhD
Language: Strong written and spoken English proficiency
Instruction: English
Publications: Representative published research work such as papers or a Master's thesis
- Demonstrated depth in hands-on system building such as CAD, 3D printing, machining, molding, electronics, or robot integration
- Experience with machine learning and control methods applied to real physical robots
- Familiarity with soft or bio-inspired materials and compliant actuators
- Background in tissue engineering, biofabrication, or physics-based simulation
- Strong inclination toward action-oriented hardware building, testing, and rapid iteration
- Clear motivation and vision for interdisciplinary, experimental research
Funding & terms
How to apply
Prepare a single merged PDF document containing your cover letter, CV, academic transcripts, contact information for references, and representative publications. Name the PDF according to the requested format (e.g., YYYYMMDD_LastnameFirstname_application) and submit it exclusively through the online application portal.
- Cover letter
- Detailed CV
- Transcripts of all degrees
- Names and contact information of at least three references
- Representative published research work
Contact
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