Design and Control of Agile Fingertips for Dexterous Manipulation

Research Journey:

Join us on an exciting research journey where you will explore unconventional grasping strategies using agile fingertips. As a PhD candidate, you will have the opportunity to study designing state-of-the-art grasping mechanisms for robots that push the boundaries of what is possible in dexterous manipulation. Your research will focus on the design and motion control problem of agile fingertips on grasped objects, aiming to develop new capabilities that may not be feasible for biological mechanisms. After developing the mechanism, there will be studies on creating motion planning strategies based on geometric mechanics on the contacted objects to control different grasped objects stably. If you have a passion for robotics, a curiosity for cutting-edge research, and a desire to make a real impact in the field, we invite you to be part of our dynamic team.

Research Support:

The "Robotics and Autonomous Intelligent Machines (RAIM)" research group at Cardiff University offers a dynamic research environment for PhD candidates, providing access to cutting-edge facilities and high-end robotic technologies. Joining RAIM will provide you with invaluable opportunities to work with state-of-the-art equipment, collaborate with leading experts, and contribute to the advancement of mechatronics, robotics and autonomous systems. Your research efforts will be supported by the exceptional facilities and resources available within RAIM, ensuring that you have the tools and support needed to conduct innovative research and make significant contributions to the field.

Cardiff University:

In the Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021, Cardiff University achieved a top 20 ranking in the UK for the overall quality of our research, with 90% of our research rated as world-leading or internationally excellent. Our inclusive approach to supporting research excellence across all disciplines has been exemplified by our commitment to empowering Cardiff researchers to deliver research that matters. This has been evidenced by a 100% submission rate and significant growth in our research community during the REF 2021 period.

As a member of the prestigious Russell Group, which consists of 24 leading research-intensive UK universities, Cardiff University prides itself on its world-class research staff, including Nobel Laureates, Fellows of the Royal Society, and members of other esteemed institutions.

Our research expertise and state-of-the-art facilities are sought after by industry and commercial partners, government bodies, and other organizations on an international scale. We actively contribute to economic growth and job creation in Wales and beyond by generating business ideas, supporting spin-out companies, and securing research contracts with a total value of £500M.

How to apply:

In the first instance, please send Dr Tafrishi ([Email Address Removed]) a cover letter explaining why you think you are a suitable candidate for the post, a CV and transcripts. Also, please describe how you plan to fund yourself during your study. There will be an interview after the first screening.

Applicant criteria:

• Degree in robotics-related majors, e.g., mechanical, control engineering or computer science with a 2:1 Honours undergraduate degree or a master's degree are highly encouraged,
• Experience in mechanism design, motion control, dexterous manipulation, and grasping mechanisms is appreciated
• It is expected the candidate has basic experience with solid-modelling programs Solidworks or AutoCAD, etc. and programming languages of Arduino, Matlab, Python, ROS etc.
• Non-native English speakers must show proficiency in the language by achieving an overall score of at least 6.5 in the IELTS exam, with a minimum of 6.0 in each skills component (university requirement)