Light responsive materials for tethered robotic function
Pubblicato il 15-08-2026 - University of Mons in Italia
Organisation/Company Department / address Laboratorio Europeo Di Spettroscopie Non Lineari Research Field Chemistry Engineering Technology Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Positions PhD Positions Application Deadline 31 Aug 2026 - 23:59 (Europe/Brussels) Country Italy Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Hours Per Week 38 Offer Starting Date 15 Sep 2026 Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Horizon Europe - MSCA Reference Number EU HORIZON-MSCA-2025-DN-01-01 # 101312674 Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No
Offer Description
This project takes place within the Marie Curie Doctoral Network on Soft Active Matter Microrobots for Medicine (SAM3). This doctoral network of 12 PhD candidates aims at exploring the ear-nose-throat area from a microrobotics perspective. Thanks to active matter and small scale microrobotics engineering, three specific goals are targeted: (1) access the middle ear through the Eustachian tube; (2) access the olfactory clefts for mucosal biopsy; (3)
access the skull cavity through the nose and the cribble plate for cerebrospinal fluid biopsy.
This specific PhD proposal onlight responsive materials for tethered robotic function is part of the second endoscopic area namely the olfactory clefts. The goal of the PhD isto develop 3D-printable light responsive materials based on Liquid Crystalline Networks (LCNs) suitable for tethered robotic function.Combining selective functionalization with photo-switches and structuring with photolithographic techniques, the LCNs will be exploited to demonstrate different actuation functions (including grasping, taking or releasing micro-objects or liquids) at the microscale.
We are seeking talented and enthusiastic students to perform a PhD, with a solid background inpolymer chemistry and technology or 3D printing of smart materials. He/she will be registered within International Doctoral School coordinated by Laboratorio Eur