The Soft Robotics Lab within the Institute of Robotics and Intelligent Systems at ETH Zurich is inviting applications for an open doctoral position. We are looking for an exceptional, hands-on engineer to design, build, and bring to life the next generation of artificial musculoskeletal robots. Our lab's goal is to build, model, and control robots in a fundamentally different way, so that they become more flexible, dexterous, capable, and adapt better to their environment. The lab has showcased its research in robotic design and algorithms through real-world applications such as a robotic fish for underwater locomotion, soft robotic hands for pick-and-place tasks, and multi-segment arms for dynamic object manipulation.
Today’s robots are mostly rigid, fragile, and a world apart from the agility and resilience of biological bodies. We believe the path to capable, safe, and lifelike machines runs through musculoskeletal soft robots: systems built from compliant structures, bones, joints, and tendon-like actuation, much like the bodies of animals and humans. As a PhD researcher in our group, you will lead the design, fabrication, and real-world testing of these robots end to end, turning ideas into working hardware that moves, grasps, and interacts with the physical world.
This is a builder’s role at its core. You will work across mechanical design, soft and compliant actuation, fabrication, electronics, and control to create complete robotic systems, then iterate relentlessly through hands-on experimentation until they perform in the real world. Our recent work, from a biohybrid bone-muscle interface that gives robots real muscles and tendons to a robotic fish, dexterous soft hands, and dynamic manipulator arms, reflects the kind of ambitious, physical research you would be joining.
- You will take musculoskeletal soft robots from concept to working prototype: conceiving the architecture, designing and fabricating the structural and actuation elements, integrating sensing and control, and validating performance through systematic real-world testing
- Each design cycle feeds the next, so rapid prototyping, measurement, and iteration sit at the heart of the project
- Drawing inspiration from biological musculoskeletal systems, you will engineer how bones, joints, tendons, and muscles can be recreated with compliant materials and actuators, and how their interplay produces strength, dexterity, and robustness
- The goal is to build robots that derive much of their capability from their embodiment, achieving rich, adaptive behavior with less reliance on complex centralized control
- You will combine hands-on mechanical design, fabrication, and experimental testing with modeling, actuation, and control to deliver complete, functional robots, ranging from single actuated joints to integrated multi-segment limbs and full musculoskeletal bodies
- Close, day-to-day collaboration with the lab’s machine learning team and its muscles team will be required and is key to the project: you will integrate learning-based control and sensing with the team’s biological and artificial muscle technology to build robots that no single discipline could achieve alone
You are extremely curious, highly motivated, greatly independent, and you want to make a real difference with your research. You work best when you are in a team, you are respectful and thrive when you can collaborate with others and provide support. Through your prior experiences, you have ideally already shown your understanding and skills in:
- Master’s degree in mechanical engineering, robotics, mechatronics, electrical engineering, or a closely related field
Demonstrated hands-on experience building physical systems: prototyping, CAD, fabrication (e.g. 3D - ing, machining, molding), electronics, or robot integration
- A bias toward action: you like to build, test, break, and iterate quickly rather than stay purely in simulation
- Working knowledge of actuation, mechanism design, control, or embedded systems, and a willingness to grow across the full robotics stack
- Prior research experience demonstrated through a Master’s thesis, research project, or equivalent work, with strong written and spoken English
- Strong motivation for interdisciplinary, experimental research and the curiosity to develop new skills throughout the PhD
- A collaborative, supportive mindset and the drive to make a real difference with your research
- Background or interest in soft robotics, bio-inspired design, or musculoskeletal systems is a plus
- Your job with impact: Become part of ETH Zurich, which not only supports your professional development, but also actively contributes to positive change in society
- You can expect numerous benefits, such as public transport season tickets and car sharing, a wide range of sports offered by the ASVZ, childcare and attractive pension benefits
- You will work within this multidisciplinary team and have access to a world-class lab, state-of-the-art fabrication facilities, and the broader robotics ecosystem at ETH Zurich.
In line with our values, ETH Zurich encourages an inclusive culture. We promote equality of opportunity, value diversity and nurture a working and learning environment in which the rights and dignity of all our staff and students are respected. Visit our Equal Opportunities and Diversity website to find out how we ensure a fair and open environment that allows everyone to grow and flourish. Sustainability is a core value for us – we are consistently working towards a climate-neutral future.
We look forward to receiving your online application with the following documents as a single merged PDF document, titled with your last name and initials as well as the application date (for example, 20230701_DoeJane_application) in the following order:
- Cover letter with a description of your research achievements and research interests
- Detailed CV
- Transcripts of all degrees (English)
- Names and contact information of at least three references
- Representative published research work (e.g., papers and thesis).
Further information about our group can be found on our website. Questions regarding the position should be directed to Federica Poltronieri, [email protected] (no applications)
Please note that we exclusively accept applications submitted through our online application portal. Applications via email or postal services will not be considered.
