Dexterous manipulation represents one of robotics' most fundamental unsolved problems. While robots excel at precise positioning and heavy lifting, they fail at tasks humans perform unconsciously – sliding a glass without spilling, rotating a screwdriver with proper torque, or coordinating fingers to tie shoelaces. This gap has profound implications for manufacturing, healthcare, domestic assistance, and applications where robots must interact delicately with the physical world.
Current robotic systems rely primarily on vision and force sensors, missing the rich tactile information that enables human dexterity. Our lab pioneered a new tactile sensor technology (best student paper award at ICRA 2025) that offers unprecedented spatial resolution and sensitivity, providing robots with meaningful tactile sensing. This position offers a unique opportunity to leverage rich tactile information for dexterous manipulation.
Your role and impact as a postdoctoral researcher will be to lead the research in leveraging our tactile sensor technology to control grippers and multi-finger hands. Your primary mission involves developing control strategies that enable robots to perform complex manipulation through tactile feedback. You will focus on three critical aspects: sliding motion control, rotation strategies for precise tool manipulation, and multi‑finger coordination for more complex tasks.
We expect that you will blend theoretical approaches with hands‑on experimentation, design experiments using our robotic platform, analyze tactile data patterns, implement real‑time control algorithms, and validate performance across diverse scenarios. You will collaborate with PhD candidates and contribute to the interdisciplinary research culture of the Tactile Machines Lab.
Job requirements- PhD in Robotics, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field
- Strong background in robotic and control systems
- Experience with dexterous manipulation, tactile sensing or haptic systems
- Proficiency in programming (Python, C++, MATLAB, or similar)
- Experience with robotic platforms and hardware
- Knowledge of machine learning and signal processing techniques
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English
- Strong analytical and problem‑solving abilities
- Publication record in robotics, sensing, or related fields
- Duration of contract: 1.5 years (temporary)
- Full‑time: 36–40 hours per week
- Salary and benefits in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities
- Excellent pension scheme via ABP
- Customizable yearly employment package
- Discounts with health insurers on supplemental packages
- Flexible working week
- 232 leave hours annually (based on 38‑hour week); option to buy or sell additional leave hours via individual choice budget
- Opportunities for education, training and courses
- Partially paid parental leave
- Health and vitality program to support healthy work life
€45000 - €60000 monthly