Technician for Liquid Crystal-Enhanced Human-Machine Interactions

Functieomschrijving

We have a vacancy for a technician, with a background in polymer chemistry, liquid crystal polymers or electronics and prototype design, for projects in the field of advanced materials for soft robotic haptic wearable applications at the Human Interactive Materials (HIM) group in the Department of Chemical Engineering and Chemistry, Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e), The Netherlands.

Research background

Soft robotic haptics is a relatively new subfield of robotics, focusing on designing compliant material systems to communicate with human users through tactile signals. When integrated into conventional electronics, soft robotic haptics systems have the potential for major impact where immersion, tactile dynamism and safe human/machine interactions are crucial, such as in navigational assistive wearables and virtual reality systems. Moreover, soft robotic haptics can introduce a sense of touch in devices where switchable, high-resolution and local tactile communication is unprecedented, such as touchscreen displays, car steering wheels with haptic warning systems, haptic control handles for remotely operated surgical robots, and e-readers for visually impaired users.

At the HIM group, we perform research on stimuli-responsive liquid crystal polymers to achieve such advanced haptic functions. We envision creating materials that can feel, sense, behave and act as human skins within a wearable, yet with enhanced sensitivity and accuracy. They must be electrically-integrated, making them compatible with the electrical infrastructure for conventional devices, as illustrated in Figure 1. With long-term development we anticipate the creation of revolutionary, self-developing soft robotic haptics within wearables.

Project description

You will be joining a multidisciplinary research group, where we develop responsive materials that address the continuously advancing needs in human-machine communication, specialized medicine and miniaturized mechanics. More information can be found at www.danqingliu.nl.

A key aspect of our projects is to translate molecular effects into macroscopic phenomena which, in turn, translate into robotic devices for, but not limited to, haptic applications. You will join a team where your research will be driving the development of our liquid crystal polymers towards optimized sensing and actuation functions for switchable and directional haptics within a wearable through multiple potential mechanisms, including squeezing, shear, local pressure and directional friction, as shown in Figure 2.

 Figure 2. LCP actuation and wearables principles   that generate various tactile modes. 
 (a) LCP anisotropic deformations. (b) Squeeze  function. (c) Shear function. (d) Local pressure.
 (e) Directional friction.

Functie-eisen

We are looking for talented and motivated technician who meets the following requirements:

• Knowledge in polymer chemistry and/or liquid crystals materials.
• 2 years of experience in a laboratory environment with chemical synthesis.
• Foundational experience in electronics and prototype design with computer-aided design (CAD) software (knowledge of KiCad/Python/C is appreciated).
• Experience with additive manufacturing (including G-code-based software).
• Basic experience in haptics and perception studies is much appreciated.
• Ability to communicate well with peers from a scientific background.
• Ability to work independently within a dynamic team and multidisciplinary research environment.

Arbeidsvoorwaarden

• An exciting position within an international yet personal university. You are right in the middle of the students, on a green campus within walking distance of the central station. Besides beautiful architecture, you will find varied workplaces and excellent sports facilities. We also offer you:
• A monthly salary of minimum €2.872,- to maximum €3.454,- for full-time employment, depending on your knowledge and experience (scale 6 collective labour agreement for Dutch Universities).
• In addition to vacation pay, a structural end-of-year bonus of 8.3%.
• A favorable arrangement for more holidays or a sabbatical.
• A selection model for additional fringe benefits.
• Working hours in consultation for an optimal work-life balance.
• Scope for your talent with advancement prospects and excellent development opportunities such as mentoring, workshops and coaching.
• Partially paid parental leave and reimbursement for commuting expenses, working from home and the internet.
• A generous employer contribution to the favorable ABP pension plan.

Here you can discover even more information about our conditions of employment. Build on your career at TU/e!

Informatie en sollicitatie

About TU/e TU/e is a leading international university that educates engineers of the future and pushes the boundaries of science and technology for a better world. An international community of close to 7,000 employees and 13,000 students work and study on the vibrant and inspiring campus.

For more detailed information about this vacancy, please contact Danqing Liu. E-mail: Danqing.liu@tue.nl 

For information concerning employment conditions, please contact Ms. P.J. van de Weijer, HR-advisor. E-mail: p.j.v.d.weijer@tue.nl.

Application

You can respond to this vacancy via our application page www.tue.nl/jobs by clicking on the button “Apply now". We do not respond to applications that are sent to us in a different way. You can upload a maximum of 5 documents of up to 2MB each.

The selection of applicants and the job interviews will start immediately until we find a suitable candidate.

For this vacancy we will recruit simultaneously both internal as external. In the case of equal suitability internal candidates take priority over external candidates.

An assessment can be part of the selection procedure. Acquisition as a result of this advertisement is not appreciated.