Novel microfabrication methods for IEAP microactuators, PhD student position (“Early Stage Researchers” ESR) to be funded by the Marie-Sklodowska-Curie Innovative Training Network “MICACT – Microactuators” within the Horizon 2020 Programme of th

ESR3 will progress the IEAP microfabrication beyond the-state-of-the-art by developing new patterning and microfabrication methods for IEAPs such as PPy and gels. The fellow will start by microfabricating IEAP microactuators in a variety of configurations such as bulk, bilayer and trilayer transducers at LiU using state-of-the-art clean room microfabrication facilities. The fellow will complement this knowledge by developing 3-D printing and laser ablation patterning during a secondment at Universtity of Wollongong and learning dry etching methods at CNRS. The fellow will develop novel patterning methods using photolithography and soft lithography. This will be combined with the 3-D printing expertise in order to fabricate complex IEAP microactuator structures and interfaces. We will develop devices for biomedical applications such as manipulation of biological tissue and cells, transducers for mechanobiology.

Research Fields

Technology - Materials technology

Other costs

The MSCA programme offers highly competitive and attractive salary and working conditions. The successful candidates will receive a salary in accordance with the MSCA regulations for early stage researchers. Exact salary will be confirmed upon appointment [Living Allowance = 41686 euro/year + Monthly mobility allowance = 600 to 1100 euro depending on the family situation]. In addition to their individual scientific projects, all fellows will benefit from further continuing education, which includes internships and secondments, a variety of training modules as well as transferable skills courses and active participation in workshops and conferences.

Eligibility criteria

● M.Sc. in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Physics, Chemistry, Material Science/Engineering,, or related field
● Strong experimental skills in electrical and mechanical engineering, materials science, basic polymer science, functional biology or related field
● Have a strong interest in interdisciplinary research and enjoy teamwork with colleagues in a multicultural setting.
● Adept at thinking at a system level, interested in applications and enjoy building and testing working devices
● Highly motivated, taking initiative, communicative, quality minded, flexible, and eager to learn
● Eager to frequent travel to secondment hosts and workshops
● Experience in the fields of soft actuators or testing will be an asset.
● Basic knowledge in clean room processes will be appreciated
● Fluent in English. Knowledge of local language is a plus.
● Early-stage researchers (ESR) are those who are, at the time of recruitment by the host, in the first four years (full-time equivalent) of their research careers. ESR should qualify as PhD student for PhD programme in the university in which the research training is provided.
● Researchers can be of any nationality. At the time of recruitment by the host, researchers must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the country of their host for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately prior to the reference date. Short stays such as holidays and/or compulsory national service are not taken into account.

Selection process

Interested candidates should send their CV and Letter of Motivations to HOST CONTACT (indicate the selected ESR and host!). Deadline for applications is January 28th. Earlier application gives an advantage.
The host contact person will give additional information about formal requirements to apply for PhD student position at specific university.


Programme Description
Number of awards per year1
Frequency of calls1
International mobility required ?yes
Eligible destination country/ies for fellowsSweden
Eligibility of fellows: country/ies of residenceInternational
Eligibility of fellows: nationality/iesInternational
Fellowship's Details
Career StageEarly stage researcher or 0-4 yrs (Post graduate)
Research ProfilesFirst Stage Researcher (R1)
Employment contract with full social securityyes
Total amount per fellowship per year56086
Currencyeuro
Covers salaryyes
Covers travel and subsistenceyes
Covers research costsno
Maximum duration of fellowship36

Application deadline

28/01/2015

Application e-mail

Edwin.jager@liu.se