Doctoral candidate (PhD student) in Modelling and Control of Soft Aerial Manipulators

The University of Luxembourg is an international research university with a distinctly multilingual and interdisciplinary character. The University was founded in 2003 and counts more than 6,700 students and more than 2,000 employees from around the world. The University’s faculties and interdisciplinary centres focus on research in the areas of Computer Science and ICT Security, Materials Science, European and International Law, Finance and Financial Innovation, Education, Contemporary and Digital History. In addition, the University focuses on cross-disciplinary research in the areas of Data Modelling and Simulation as well as Health and System Biomedicine. Times Higher Education ranks the University of Luxembourg #3 worldwide for its “international outlook,” #20 in the Young University Ranking 2021 and among the top 250 universities worldwide.

The Faculty of Science, Technologyand Medicine (FSTM) contributes multidisciplinary expertise in the fields of Mathematics, Physics, Engineering, Computer Science, Life Sciences and Medicine. Through its dual mission of teaching and research, the FSTM seeks to generate and disseminate knowledge and train new generations of responsible citizens, in order to better understand, explain and advance society and environment we live in.

The University of Luxembourg invites applications in the Department of Engineering (https://wwwen.uni.lu/research/fstm/doe) within its Faculty of Science, Technology and Medicine.

• Topics: Control Engineering, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, Soft Aerial Manipulation

Your Role...

The successful candidate(s) will join the Electrical - Communications Engineering group and work under the supervision of Prof. Dr. Holger Voos on the Kirchberg Campus of the University of Luxembourg. You will contribute to a joint research project between Engineering and Physics, dealing with the development of novel soft aerial manipulators. The aim of this PhD project is to design, model and control a novel soft robotic arm to be attached to an unmanned aerial vehicle. The tasks comprise the design of the soft arm, the integration into an unmanned aerial vehicle, the modelling of the resulting combination of soft arm and rigid aerial vehicle and the derivation of suitable control approaches. Finally, the overall solutions will be validated in simulations as well as in experimental flight tests in an indoor flight arena, equipped with a motion capture system.

Your roles will include:

• Conducting fundamental research and contributing to international publications in the area of control engineering, soft aerial manipulation and soft robotics
• Developing related models and algorithms
• Experimentally evaluating the resulting systems in simulations and flight tests
• Assisting in Bachelor/Master projects and courses

What we expect from you…

• Master degree in Control, Electrical, Mechatronics or Robotics Engineering, or in a related area
• Strong mathematical and algorithmic background, especially in modelling and control
• Background in unmanned aerial vehicles, robotics and soft robotics
• Good programming skills in C/C++ and/or Python
• Background in design of mechatronic systems
• Good communication skills, commitment, team working, and a critical mind

The University is an equal-opportunity employer. Fluent written and verbal communication skills in English are mandatory. The University of Luxembourg is a young, multi-lingual and international research university. The communication in the research groups is in English, while teaching is conducted in English, French and German. You will work in an exciting international environment and will have the opportunity to participate in a state-of-the-art research topic at the intersection of Robotics and Material Science / Physics. You will also have the chance to collaborate with other motivated members of the team on exciting problematics.

In Short...

• Contract Type: Contrat à durée déterminée 36 Mois (extendable up to 48 months if required)
• Work Hours: Full Time 40.0 Heures par Semaine
• Location: Kirchberg
• Employee and student status
• Job Reference: UOL05620

The yearly gross salary for every PhD at the UL is EUR 38979 full time

How to apply...

Applications should be submitted online and include:

• Curriculum vitae, including your current contact address, transcript of certificates and grades (with a detailed list of university courses taken) and your previous publications (if any)
• Cover letter and research statement indicating your topics-of-interest and motivation to apply for the position (max. 2 pages)
• Contact information for 3 referees at your current and/or previous affiliations

Early application is highly encouraged, as the applications will be processed upon reception. Please apply formally through the HR system. Applications by email will not be considered.

The University of Luxembourg embraces inclusion and diversity as key values. We are fully committed to removing any discriminatory barrier related to gender, and not only, in recruitment and career progression of our staff.

In return you will get…

• Multilingual and international character. Modern institution with a personal atmosphere. Staff coming from 90 countries. Member of the “University of the Greater Region” (UniGR). 
• A modern and dynamic university. High-quality equipment. Close ties to the business world and to the Luxembourg labour market. A unique urban site with excellent infrastructure.
• A partner for society and industry. Cooperation with European institutions, innovative companies, the Financial Centre and with numerous non-academic partners such as ministries, local governments, associations, NGOs …
• Find out more about the University
• Addresses, maps & routes to the various sites of the University

Further information...

For further information, please feel to directly contact: holger.voos@uni.lu