Research project on Development of microrobotic catheter equipped with grasping at the tip (SAM3/ESR9 - catheter)
This project takes place within the Marie Curie Doctoral Network on Soft Active Matter Microrobots for Medicine (SAM3).
This doctoral network of 12 PhD candidates aims at exploring the ear-nose-throat area from a microrobotics perspective. Thanks to active matter and small scale microrobotics engineering, three specific goals are targeted: (1) access the middle ear through the Eustachian tube; (2) access the olfactory clefts for mucosal biopsy; (3) access the skull cavity through the nose and the cribble plate for cerebrospinal fluid biopsy.
This specific PhD proposal on Development of microrobotic catheter equipped with grasping at the tip is part of the second endoscopic area namely the olfactory clefts. The goal of the PhD is to develop grasping functions at the tip of soft robots with the inner tube as optical fiber. The gripper has to be integrated on the tip of the optical fiber for biopsy or particle releasing.
Job description and profile for SAM3/ESR9
We will appoint 1 PhD student on this project, related to 11 other positions open in the SAM3 EU network.
He/she will be registered within the Doctoral School of Robotics, Doctoral school SPIM, UMLP.
The candidate should have a master degree or diploma in mechanical, mechatronics or robotics engineering, less than 5 years of career at the recruitment date and not having a doctoral degree.
We are seeking talented and enthusiastic students to perform a PhD, with solid background in modelling of multi-physical systems, system design, robotics, soft materials, and manufacturing (micromachining); familiar with Matlab, Python or C++, CAD software and Finite Element Methods
Regarding skills, we look at ability for research management, dissemination, communication with colleagues and supervisors, strong teamwork spirit, creativity, problem solving and attention to safety.
The candidate should have good command of spoken and written English, and French skills are of course an asset.
For more information regarding the PhD studies at the UMLP please check the website https://spim.ubfc.fr/en/
How to apply
Applications should be sent to the mailbox SAM3 [at] umons.ac.be (SAM3[at]umons[dot]ac[dot]be) dedicated only to recruitment. They should include: a) a digital copy with all academic certificates and the respective official transcription in English; b) a detailed CV and a motivation letter in English; c) 2 letters of recommendation.
Duration: 3 years full time. Starting date: Autumn 2026 Deadline for the submission of applications: 31/8/26 though the position will remain open until it is filled
