Integration of Devices on Soft Substrates

This PhD will investigate various methods for integration of sensing/electronic components on soft substrates. The focus will be on soldering techniques and stretchable connections (in 3D) to obtain tactile skin with reliable operation, while allowing normal working of sensors and other electronics embedded in the soft substrates. Where possible the tools developed for integration of planar electronics will be used. The job requires good skills related soft robotics, soft lithography, microfabrication, packaging, stretchable interconnects, flexible electronics and modelling and simulation of soft systems.

This PhD will be part of the cohort supported by EU funded Innovative Training Network - INnovative Network for Training in ToUch InteracTIVE Interfaces (INTUITIVE), which aims to bring a paradigm shift in our understanding of human tactile processing and in the exploitation of opportunities offered by artificial tactile sensing. Instead of limiting themselves to the properties that can be empirically defined at the level of single tactile sensors, the cohort will build on the novel principle that the brain/artificial haptic sensing system control the state of population-level tactile sensor activation using force modulation to obtain a super-rich source of information in haptic exploration. Based on this new conceptual framework, the first computational biomimetic skin that will be developed in INTUITIVE will consider the skin mechanics and integrate a large variety of individual sensor elements. Robotics and assistive technology applications will illustrate the new generation of tactile artificial intelligent systems enabled by these findings.

The researcher should not have obtained a PhD degree and should not have more than 4 year full-time or equivalent research experience since obtaining the degree which makes them eligible for starting the PhD degree.

The candidate should have passed (with high grades) or likely to pass the relevant degree making them eligible to start PhD. Normally it is Master’s degree but can also be the Bachelor degree for outstanding candidates. Degree in Engineering (electronics, mechanical, biomedical or similar), Materials Science and similar is desired.

The researcher must not have carried out his/her main activity (work, studies, etc) in the United Kingdom for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately prior to recruitment.


All candidates are advised to visit the following website to obtain further details of the eligibility requirements for Marie Curie initiatives, see particularly page 8 to assess your criteria before making an application: - http://ec.europa.eu/research/participants/data/ref/h2020/wp/2018-2020/main/h2020-wp1820-msca_en.pdf

Applicants will also need to submit an application to the University’s job vacancy site:
https://my.corehr.com/pls/uogrecruit/erq_jobspec_version_4.jobspec?p_id=034719