Postdoc Opportunity: Shape the Future of Robotic Tactile Intelligence!
Are you an expert in IC design and integrated sensors? Do you want to give robots a human-like sense of touch?
This project aims to develop a sensor + readout IC system for revolutionary flexible electronic skin (Smart Skin) for advanced robotics. Deploying "smart skin" across a robot's entire chassis creates severe engineering challenges. Scaling up to thousands of tactile sensors typically results in massive wiring overhead, high latency, and vulnerability to environmental electromagnetic interference (EMI) and power supply noise.
Your role will be to design integrated sensors and mixed‑signal readout ICs that fundamentally address these issues. We aim to develop novel circuit architectures—such as localized digitization, event‑driven/asynchronous readout, and high‑voltage/high‑noise‑immune topologies—to deliver a robust, ultra‑low‑latency, and high‑dynamic‑range tactile processing system.
- IC Architecture & Design: Design, simulate, and lay out low‑power mixed‑signal ICs (including low‑noise front‑ends, high‑resolution/energy‑efficient ADCs, and localized data processing/multiplexing) tailored for matrix sensor arrays.
- Sensor Co‑Integration: Collaborate with materials and sensor experts to integrate CMOS chips with flexible/stretchable tactile sensor arrays (capacitive, piezoelectric, or piezoresistive).
- Tape‑out & Characterization: Manage chip tape‑outs (e.g., TSMC, GlobalFoundries, or specialized high‑voltage/BCD processes if applicable) and conduct rigorous benchtop electrical characterization and robotic system‑level validation.
- Mentorship & Publication: Co‑supervise PhD/Master students and publish high‑impact papers in top‑tier solid‑state circuits and sensor journals/conferences (JSSC, ISSCC, TCAS, IEEE Sensors).
Why Join Us?
- Impact: Your work will directly influence the hardware architecture of future consumer electronics.
- Expertise: Work alongside a world‑class team with extensive experience in mixed‑signal IC design and audio systems.
- Facilities: Access to state‑of‑the‑art cleanrooms, high‑end measurement equipment (Audio Precision, high‑speed oscilloscopes), and advanced CMOS process nodes.
Job requirements
We are seeking a highly motivated candidate with a "silicon‑first" mindset. To be successful in this role, you must possess:
- Solid Foundation in Analog IC Design: Deep understanding of MOSFET physics, amplifiers, voltage references, and frequency compensation.
- Mixed‑Signal Design Experience: Proven experience in designing blocks such as ADCs/DACs, comparators, or oscillators. Familiarity with the interaction between digital control logic and analog power stages.
- System Modeling Skills: Proficiency in MATLAB/Simulink or Verilog‑A for top‑level architectural verification.
- Hands‑on EDA Experience: Expert‑level proficiency in Cadence Virtuoso (Spectre/APS), Mentor Graphics, or similar industry‑standard toolsets.
- Academic Excellence: A Master’s degree (or equivalent) in Electrical Engineering or Microelectronics with a focus on Integrated Circuits.
- Preferred but not mandatory: Prior experience in ultrasounic sensors and readout ICs, capacitive/resistive sensor and readout ICs.
We embrace diversity and equal opportunity.
We value different perspectives and qualities. We believe this makes our work more innovative, the TU Delft community more vibrant and the world more just.
Will you need to relocate to the Netherlands for this job?
TU Delft is committed to making your move as smooth as possible! The HR unit, Coming to Delft Service, offers information on their website to help you prepare your relocation. They also organise events to help you settle in the Netherlands and expand your network. A Dual Career Programme is available to support your accompanying partner with their job search in the Netherlands.
Additional information
If you would like more information about this vacancy or the selection procedure, please contact Qinwen Fan at qinwenfan@tudelft.nl .
Conditions of employment
- Duration of contract is 18 months, Temporary
- A job of 36-40 hours per week.
- Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities.
- An excellent pension scheme via the ABP.
- The possibility to compile an individual employment package every year.
- Discount with health insurers on supplemental packages.
- Every year, 232 leave hours (at 38 hours). You can also sell or buy additional leave hours via the individual choice budget.
- Plenty of opportunities for education, training and courses.
- Partially paid parental leave
- Attention for working healthy and energetically with the vitality program.
Faculty/Department
Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics & Computer Science
FTE: 1
Submission is possible until: 5 Jul 2026
#J-18808-Ljbffr€45000 - €60000 monthly