3D Manufacturing of Smart Soft Robotic Actuators for Space Applications (Ph.D. Graduate Research Assistant Position)

The Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (MAE) at the West Virginia University anticipates filling Ph.D. graduate research positions to investigate the design and manufacturing of smart soft robotic actuators for space applications. The four four main aims for this project: (i) Formulation and characterization of space-compatible polymer-based composites for 3D printing, (ii) Printing and characterization of embedded sensors, (iii) Development of microreactor-enabled single nozzle multimaterial printer, (iv) Demonstration of a soft smart robotic tool.

The project will be direct collaboration with researchers at the NASA. This appointment requires general knowledge of materials science and engineering aspects and processing methods. Projects will require the candidate to work both independently and within a multidisciplinary team of engineers and scientists. The position will include full university tuition and living stipend.

If interested in the position, then contact Dr. Edward M. Sabolsky, via email at [Email Address Removed]

The position may start as soon as October 1, 2020; therefore, review of all applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled.

West Virginia University (WVU) is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. WVU is a comprehensive land grant institution with over 29,959 students in Morgantown, West Virginia, USA. WVU has been recently ranked as one of the R1-Doctoral Universities in the US. This indicates that WVU is among a select group of universities in the US showing the highest research activity as described by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education. The MAE department has thirty-three faculty, offering B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. degrees in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, and M.S. and Ph.D. in Materials Science and Engineering.