PhD Position in Life-Like Materials for Soft Robotics at Empa

Opportunity	PhD Position in Life-Like Materials for Soft Robotics at Empa
Host	Empa
Location	St. Gallen, Switzerland
Study Level	PhD
Funding	Fully Funded, stipend provided, tuition covered
Stipend	Salaried employment contract at Empa. Amount not specified.
Application Deadline	Open - Applications reviewed on rolling basis
Apply	Official application page ↗

About the Position

Empa, the Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, is offering a PhD position in the development of life-like materials that learn, remember, and forget for use in soft robotics. This project is part of an SNSF Ambizione grant led by Dr. Livius F. Muff, hosted in the group of Dr. Luciano Boesel at Empa. The work will primarily be carried out at Empa St. Gallen under the direct supervision of Dr. Livius F. Muff. The PhD student will be affiliated at ETH Zürich (Prof. René Rossi, D-HEST).

The research group designs mechanically robust, multi-responsive polyurethane elastomers with backbone-integrated molecular switches. The aim is to move beyond conventional stimuli-responsive materials toward life-like materials that genuinely learn: forming memories, consolidating them over time, selectively forgetting, and adapting their behavior through experience, all while retaining commercial-grade mechanical properties.

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.

Your Tasks

• Synthesize libraries of single-, dual-, and triple-switch polyurethanes (Stenhouse salt, DASA, and Spiropyran) via copolymerization and post-polymerization functionalization, and validate backbone integration by NMR, GPC, DSC, DMA, tensile testing, UV-Vis spectroscopy, and pump probe characterization.
• Design and characterize synergistic switching cascades (collaborative, competitive, and interdependent pathways) using time-resolved and spatially resolved spectroscopy, patterned illumination, and pH/thermal stimuli.
• Develop and validate logic maps for memory formation, consolidation, and selective forgetting, and translate these into training-recall-forgetting cycles on physical polymer films and bilayer actuators.
• 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

• Strong background in Organic Chemistry, Polymer Chemistry, Materials Science, or a closely related field.
• Highly motivated, curious person who enjoys working at the interface of synthetic chemistry, materials science, and soft robotics.
• Comfortable in a multidisciplinary, collaborative environment.
• Highly proficient in spoken and written English.
• Hold a Master's degree.
• 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.

What We Offer

• SNSF Ambizione grant project.
• Work primarily at Empa St. Gallen under direct supervision of Dr. Livius F. Muff.
• Affiliation at ETH Zürich (Prof. René Rossi, D-HEST).
• Culture of inclusion and respect.
• Participation in writing scientific publications and presenting data at national and international scientific conferences.

Application Process

Submit complete online application including:

• Letter of motivation.
• CV.
• Certificates and diplomas.
• Contact details of two reference persons.

Applications exclusively via the Empa job portal. Applications by e-mail and by post will not be considered.

Official Application Link

https://apply.refline.ch/673276/2231/pbrssQuJiOVkN1QNwxfgpV-C8YAqXo5j7yDfIFyHRbKY3v1DFHBcz0/apply

Important Notes

• Applications reviewed on a rolling basis.
• No specified application deadline.
• This is a salaried employment contract, not a stipend.

Contact

Questions about this position, eligibility or the application process should be raised through the contact channel given on the official announcement page (see the Official Link section above). Always quote the position reference in your message so the admissions or HR team can route your enquiry quickly.

Official Link

Full announcement and application portal: https://apply.refline.ch/673276/2231/pbrssQuJiOVkN1QNwxfgpV-C8YAqXo5j7yDfIFyHRbKY3v1DFHBcz0/apply

Source: apply.refline.ch - the details in this listing were recorded from this official page.

About Empa

Empa, the Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, is a research institution within the ETH Domain. Based in Switzerland, it investigates materials and technologies for industry and society. Research addresses energy, environmental sustainability, health and manufacturing, connecting scientific understanding with practical applications through academic and industrial collaboration networks.

Official website: https://www.empa.ch

How to Apply

Submit your application through the official portal before the deadline: Open - Applications reviewed on rolling basis. Read the eligibility requirements carefully and prepare all requested documents — early applications are strongly recommended for competitive awards.

Open the official application page ↗

Application guides

• How to Email a PhD Supervisor: 7 Templates and Practical Tips
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