Robotics is a booming field of research, with the potential to transform our society. Soft robotics is a very young and promising field, and offers an exciting, radically different approach to operate safely and reliable in human-inhabited environments. Many scientific challenges arise from the vision of integrated design of soft robots, including desirable mechanical properties, embedded sensors and actuation, modeling and control.

Our ambition is to take the lead in realizing the next generation of soft robotic systems through the integrated design of affordable flexible hardware, power-efficient lightweight actuators, and efficient and intuitive control.

Our main foci are realizing new soft actuators, and the design and control of soft robots for cure, care and rehabilitation, for example using additive manufacturing techniques or exploiting new materials.

You will be embedded in a thriving national program that has been established to advance the emerging field of soft robotics. You will be working in a team of top scientists and you will have the opportunity to carry out excellent research, set up and contribute to educational programs and work on concrete solutions within our broad network of partners in policy and practice. We foster interdisciplinary collaboration between the six tenure trackers and the six postdoc positions to be appointed within this 4TU Soft Robotics program, and associated scientific staff, and public and private partners. All six Tenure trackers will be actively involved in the scientific, educational and valorization activities of the 4TU Soft Robotics program. It offers prospective candidates excellent opportunities to extend their networks with academic and societal partners.

You will conduct international high-quality research, develop an international research network and lead a strong and visible research line within the Department of Biomechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering Technology, University of Twente.

You also will be involved in Bachelor and Master level courses, supervise BSc and MSc theses and contribute to the development of new courses. You will mentor PhD students together with the departmental professors either as the main or the co-supervisor.

Requirements:

• You have a PhD in (soft)robotics, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, or physics or any other topic related to the program core domains;
• You have an excellent publication record covering at least one of the following areas: (soft)robotics, material science, systems and control;
• You are a good collaborator who is able to combine and extend current knowledge and know-how to the departmental domains;
• You have an aptitude for teaching, including lecturing and tutoring at an academic level;
• You have obtained (an equivalent of) the University Teaching Qualification or you are willing to obtain this;
• You need an excellent command of English. Knowledge of, or willingness to learn; Dutch is an advantage.

Application and further information
For more information please contact Prof.dr H. van der Kooij, h.vanderkooij@utwente.nl and check the website https://www.utwente.nl/en/et/be/.

Applications, including a CV, a statement of your vision on research, education and collaboration, and contact information for 2 or more references, should be uploaded through the link below. A selection assessment can be part of the procedure.

The deadline for application is November 30, 2018.

You will be appointed in tenure track for a maximum of 7 years, with the prospect of a permanent position after a positive evaluation. During this process your performance will be evaluated regularly. The goal of these evaluations is to keep track of your progress and to help you focus on maximum development of your scientific and educational goals. Criteria for evaluation comprise; a strong track record of publications, evaluation of teaching capacities and a demonstrated ability to acquire research funding and to achieve an international network and reputation. Shortly after your start you and your supervisors will set up a plan aimed at the successful completion of your tenure track.

The university offers a dynamic ecosystem with enthusiastic colleagues in which internationalization is an important part of the strategic agenda.

• Starting salary between € 3.545,- to € 5.513,- gross per month based on your experience;
• A holiday allowance of 8% of the gross annual salary and a year-end bonus of 8.3%;
• A solid pension scheme;
• Possibilities to save up holidays for sabbatical leave;
• Minimum of 29 holidays in case of full-time employment;
• Professional and personal development programs;
• A high degree of responsibility and independence, while collaborating with close colleagues, researchers and other university staff is strongly encouraged.

The University of Twente. We stand for life sciences and technology. High tech and human touch. Education and research that matter. New technology which leads change, innovation and progress in society. The University of Twente is the only campus university of the Netherlands; divided over five faculties we provide more than fifty educational programmes. We have a strong focus on personal development and talented researchers are given scope for carrying out groundbreaking research.

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status or disability status. Because of our diversity values we do particularly support women to apply.

The Faculty of Engineering Technology (ET) is one of the five faculties of the University of Twente. ET combines Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering and Industrial Design Engineering. Our faculty has approximately 1800 bachelor and master students, 400 employees and 150 PhD candidates. The departments of the faculty cooperatively conduct the educational programmes and participate in interdisciplinary research projects, programmes and the research institutes: Mesa+ Institute, TechMed Centra and Digital Society Institute.