PhD in Synchronization in soft autonomous machines

Introduction
Are you fascinated by nonlinear mechanical and dynamical behaviour? Do you want to explore how we can use effects such as self-oscillations and synchronization to introduce and design emergent autonomous behaviour in soft machines? Do you operate best in an interdisciplinary team?

Job Description
How can we harness dynamical behaviour—rather than suppress it—to achieve autonomy in soft robotics? In this PhD, you will explore how synchronization in self-oscillating soft tubes and other systems can give rise to collective, emergent behavior. Building on recent work that was inspired by the dynamics of inflatable sky dancers (see short movie about our publication in Science), you will investigate how mechanical interactions between self-oscillators can be designed to achieve robust, adaptive, and autonomous operation in soft machines.

Your role: You will design and study soft bodies with embedded pneumatic circuits that exhibit tunable oscillatory behavior. By shaping both material properties and fluidic network architectures, you will uncover how synchronization patterns emerge—and how they can be controlled to enable different modes of locomotion, manipulation, or sensing.

You will combine experiments and numerical simulations, with a strong emphasis on hands-on experimentation and data analysis. You will build and test physical systems by using rapid prototyping techniques, develop measurement and analysis tools, and use simulations to guide design and interpretation. This is a curiosity-driven project at the intersection of physics, soft robotics, and nonlinear dynamics, with the goal of redefining how we control compliant machines. Your work will help establish new design principles for soft robotic systems that can operate robustly in uncertain environments without complex control.

Research environment: You will work in Autonomous Matter & Machines Lab at TU/e (formerly Soft Robotic Matter at AMOLF), which is part of the Dynamics & Control Section in the Mechanical Engineering Department. You will be embedded in a collaborative and inclusive team that combines experimental physics, materials science, and robotics, with access to state-of-the-art fabrication and experimental facilities.

The Autonomous Matter & Machines Lab explores how to embody autonomous behaviour in soft machines and materials. We draw inspiration from seemingly simple mechanical and dynamical phenomena like the sputtering of a ketchup bottle, the flailing of a sky dancer, or the symmetry-breaking occurring upon the inflation of interconnected balloons, that turn out to originate from rich nonlinear behaviour. These tangible and often playful systems provide deep insights into mechanics and dynamics, while also offering a unique entry point for knowledge sharing in research and beyond.

Our aim is to leverage these fundamental insights directly into real-world applications. Similar to how autonomy can emerge in natural systems, we demonstrate the opportunity for finding embodied alternatives to centralised processes (such as AI) that originate from dynamic interaction and environmental feedback. Applications that we are working on in collaboration with various partners include the development of a soft robotic heart that can autonomously adapt to physiological changes, soft grippers that can sense and handle delicate fruits and vegetables, and sustainable architectural facades that adapt to environmental conditions without external power or control.

Job Requirements

• A master’s degree (or an equivalent university degree) in, e.g., Mechanical Engineering, Physics, Robotics, Industrial Design.
• A research-oriented attitude.
• Ability to work in an interdisciplinary team and interested in public outreach activities.
• Motivated to develop your teaching skills and coach students.
• Hands-on experimental mindset (with rapid prototyping techniques), and affinity with data analysis and numerical simulations.
• Analytical and problem-solving skills
• Initiative and creativity in developing new research direction
• Ability to collaborate in an interdisciplinary and inclusive environment
• Fluent in spoken and written English (C1 level).

Conditions of Employment
A meaningful job in a dynamic and ambitious university, in an interdisciplinary setting and within an international network. You will work on a beautiful, green campus within walking distance of the central train station. In addition, we offer you:

• Full-time employment for four years, with an intermediate assessment after nine months. You will spend a minimum of 10% of your four-year employment on teaching tasks, with a maximum of 15% per year of your employment.
• Salary and benefits (such as a pension scheme, paid pregnancy and maternity leave, partially paid parental leave) in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, scale P (min. € 3,059 - max. € 3,881).
• A year-end bonus of 8.3% and annual vacation pay of 8%.
• High-quality training programs and other support to grow into a self-aware, autonomous scientific researcher. At TU/e we challenge you to take charge of your own learning process.
• An excellent technical infrastructure, on-campus children's day care and sports facilities.
• Unlimited access to the modern on‑campus TU/e Student Sports Center at an exceptionally affordable rate.
• An allowance for commuting, working from home and internet costs.
• A Staff Immigration Team and a tax compensation scheme (the 30% facility) for international candidates.

On our website you can discover even more information about our conditions of employment. Build on your career at TU/e!

About us
We are a leading international university where scientific curiosity meets a hands-on mindset. We work in an open and collaborative way with high-tech industries to tackle complex societal challenges. Our responsible and respectful approach ensures impact — today and in the future. TU/e is home to over 13,000 students and more than 7,000 staff, forming a diverse and vibrant academic community.

Our university is located in Brainport Eindhoven — a world‑leading tech region with more than 7,000 high‑tech companies and strong R&D activity. Known for breakthroughs in AI, photonics, semiconductors and advanced manufacturing, Brainport is a place where technology serves people and society. Learn more about the Brainport region here.

The Department of Mechanical Engineering department conducts world-class research aligned with the technological interests of the high-tech industry in the Netherlands, with a focus on the Brainport region. Our goal is to produce engineers who are both scientifically educated and application-driven by providing a balanced education and research program that combines fundamental and application aspects. We equip our graduates with practical and theoretical expertise, preparing them optimally for future challenges.

Information
Do you recognize yourself in this profile and would you like to know more? Please contact the hiring manager prof.dr.ir. Bas Overvelde, j.t.b.overvelde@tue.nl.

Visit our website for more information about the application process. You can also contact HRServices.me@tue.nl.

Curious to hear more about what it’s like as a PhD candidate at TU/e? Please view the video.

Are you inspired and would like to know more about working at TU/e? Please visit our career page.

Application
We invite you to submit a complete application by using the apply button. The application should include a:

• Cover letter in which you describe your motivation and qualifications for the position.
• Curriculum vitae, including a list of your publications and the contact information of three references. Kindly note that we may reach out to references at any stage of the recruitment process. We recommend notifying your references upon submitting your application.

Ensure that you submit all the requested application documents. We give priority to complete applications.

We look forward to receiving your application and will screen it as soon as possible. The vacancy will remain open until the position is filled.

Please note

• You can apply online. We will not process applications sent by email and/or post.
• A pre-employment screening (e.g. knowledge security check) can be part of the selection procedure. For more information on the knowledge security check, please consult the National Knowledge Security Guidelines.
• Please do not contact us for unsolicited services.

PhD in Synchronization in soft autonomous machines

How can we harness dynamical behaviour—rather than suppress it—to achieve autonomy in soft robotics? In this PhD, you will explore how synchronization in self-oscillating soft tubes and other systems can give rise to collective, emergent behavior. Building on recent work that was inspired by the dynamics of inflatable sky dancers (see short movie about our publication in Science), you will investigate how mechanical interactions between self-oscillators can be designed to achieve robust, adaptive, and autonomous operation in soft machines.

Your role: You will design and study soft bodies with embedded pneumatic circuits that exhibit tunable oscillatory behavior. By shaping both material properties and fluidic network architectures, you will uncover how synchronization patterns emerge—and how they can be controlled to enable different modes of locomotion, manipulation, or sensing.

You will combine experiments and numerical simulations, with a strong emphasis on hands-on experimentation and data analysis. You will build and test physical systems by using rapid prototyping techniques, develop measurement and analysis tools, and use simulations to guide design and interpretation. This is a curiosity-driven project at the intersection of physics, soft robotics, and nonlinear dynamics, with the goal of redefining how we control compliant machines. Your work will help establish new design principles for soft robotic systems that can operate robustly in uncertain environments without complex control.

Research environment: You will work in Autonomous Matter & Machines Lab at TU/e (formerly Soft Robotic Matter at AMOLF), which is part of the Dynamics & Control Section in the Mechanical Engineering Department. You will be embedded in a collaborative and inclusive team that combines experimental physics, materials science, and robotics, with access to state-of-the-art fabrication and experimental facilities.

The Autonomous Matter & Machines Lab explores how to embody autonomous behaviour in soft machines and materials. We draw inspiration from seemingly simple mechanical and dynamical phenomena like the sputtering of a ketchup bottle, the flailing of a sky dancer, or the symmetry-breaking occurring upon the inflation of interconnected balloons, that turn out to originate from rich nonlinear behaviour. These tangible and often playful systems provide deep insights into mechanics and dynamics, while also offering a unique entry point for knowledge sharing in research and beyond.

Our aim is to leverage these fundamental insights directly into real-world applications. Similar to how autonomy can emerge in natural systems, we demonstrate the opportunity for finding embodied alternatives to centralised processes (such as AI) that originate from dynamic interaction and environmental feedback. Applications that we are working on in collaboration with various partners include the development of a soft robotic heart that can autonomously adapt to physiological changes, soft grippers that can sense and handle delicate fruits and vegetables, and sustainable architectural facades that adapt to environmental conditions without external power or control.

PostDoc in Synthesis of novel high-performance polyurethanes

Introduction
Polyurethane (PU) is one of the most versatile polymers, that appears in an astonishing variety of forms and play a vital role in many industries. Although there are already many different PU materials available, further improvement of the properties as well as development of new functional PU materials will make it suitable to an increased number of applications.

Job Description
In this project, the focus of the research will be on the design, synthesis and characterization of novel polyols for high performance PU materials. The research activities will include understanding of performance profile of new materials and elucidation of structure property relationships by means of various chemical, structural, rheological and mechanical characterization techniques.

The PD research will be carried out under the supervision of Prof. Željko Tomović in the Polymer Performance Materials group in the Department of Chemical Engineering and Chemistry at the TU/e, which is also the part of the interdisciplinary Institute for Complex Molecular Systems (ICMS), in which all polymer-related research groups at the TU/e participate. A description of the group can be found here: https://www.tue.nl/en/research/research-groups/polymer-performance-materials.

The TU/e offers academic education that is driven by fundamental and applied research. We combine scientific curiosity with a hands-on mentality. Our educational philosophy is based on personal attention and room for individual ambitions and talents. Our research meets the highest international standards of quality. We push the limits of science, which puts us at the forefront of rapidly emerging areas of research.

Job Requirements

• We seek highly talented, motivated, and enthusiastic candidates with an PhD degree in organic chemistry, polymer chemistry, or a related discipline.
• The successful candidate has a solid background in organic and polymer chemistry.
• Experience with the synthesis and characterization of organic molecules or polymers is essential.
• Analytical skills, initiative and creativity are highly desired.
• Excellent communication (oral and writing) skills in English (prerequisite).
• You are a naturally curious person, eager to learn more and with a strong interest in science and research.
• You should have a scientific attitude combined with a hands-on mentality and interest for application-oriented research.
• We prefer candidates with a good team spirit, who like to work in an internationally oriented, social environment.

Interviews, a scientific presentation and a small writing assignment will be part of the selection procedure.

Conditions of Employment
A meaningful job in a dynamic and ambitious university, in an interdisciplinary setting and within an international network. You will work on a beautiful, green campus within walking distance of the central train station. In addition, we offer you:

• Full-time employment for 2 years.
• Salary in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, scale 10 (min. € 4,241 max. € 5,538).
• A year-end bonus of 8.3% and annual vacation pay of 8%.
• High-quality training programs on general skills, didactics and topics related to research and valorization.
• An excellent technical infrastructure, on-campus children's day care and sports facilities.
• Unlimited access to the modern on‑campus TU/e Student Sports Center at an exceptionally affordable rate.
• Partially paid parental leave and an allowance for commuting, working from home and internet costs.
• A TU/e Postdoc Association that helps you to build a stronger and broader academic and personal network, and offers tailored support, training and workshops.
• A Staff Immigration Team is available for international candidates, as are a tax compensation scheme (the 30% facility) and a compensation for moving expenses.

On our website you can discover even more information about our conditions of employment. Build on your career at TU/e!

About us
We are a leading international university where scientific curiosity meets a hands-on mindset. We work in an open and collaborative way with high-tech industries to tackle complex societal challenges. Our responsible and respectful approach ensures impact — today and in the future. TU/e is home to over 13,000 students and more than 7,000 staff, forming a diverse and vibrant academic community.

Our university is located in Brainport Eindhoven — a world‑leading tech region with more than 7,000 high‑tech companies and strong R&D activity. Known for breakthroughs in AI, photonics, semiconductors and advanced manufacturing, Brainport is a place where technology serves people and society. Learn more about the Brainport region here.

The Department of Chemical Engineering and Chemistry focusses on solving societal challenges in health, sustainable energy and circularity using expertise in molecules, materials and chemical processes. We collaborate with academia and industry to enlarge our chain of knowledge. Our top-notch research is internationally renowned and facilitated by a state-of-the-art research infrastructure. High-quality education and research, strong collaboration, independence of researchers and talent development are our core values.

Information
Do you recognize yourself in this profile and would you like to know more? Please contact the hiring manager Prof. Željko Tomović, z.tomovic@tue.nl.

Visit our website for more information about the application process. You can also contact Ms. Funda Gormus, HR-advisor, f.gormus@tue.nl.

Are you inspired and would like to know more about working at TU/e? Please visit our career page.

Application
We invite you to submit a complete application using the apply-button. The application should include a:

• Cover letter in which you describe your motivation and qualifications for the position.
• Curriculum vitae, including a list of your publications and the contact information of three references. Kindly note that we may reach out to references at any stage of the recruitment process. We recommend notifying your references upon submitting your application.
• List of up to five self-selected ‘best publications’.

Ensure that you submit all the requested application documents. Please note that incomplete applications may not be considered and could be rejected.

We look forward to receiving your application and will screen it as soon as possible. The vacancy will remain open until the position is filled.

Please note

• You can apply online. We will not process applications sent by email and/or post.
• A pre-employment screening (e.g. knowledge security check) can be part of the selection procedure. For more information on the knowledge security check, please consult the National Knowledge Security Guidelines.
• Please do not contact us for unsolicited services.

PhD in Business models and ecosystem design for regenerative agriculture

Introduction
Are you motivated to contribute to the transition toward regenerative agriculture and sustainable food systems? Join our Horizon Europe GroundWork project as a PhD codesigning business models and ecosystems with farmers across Europe to enable regenerative grazing, while publishing cutting-edge research in strategy and entrepreneurship.

Job Description
Regenerative agriculture is widely recognized as essential for sustainable food systems, yet its large-scale adoption is constrained by a fundamental challenge: viable business models and ecosystem coordination are often missing. This PhD addresses this challenge by studying—and actively shaping—how farmers and ecosystem actors:

• Recognize and evaluate new opportunities for regenerative practices,
• Experiment with and develop viable business models,
• Align stakeholders and financing mechanisms to enable long-term sustainability.

The core ambition is to translate theoretical insights on opportunity recognition, entrepreneurial resourcefulness, and business model experimentation into concrete tools, practices, and interventions that farmers can use in their daily decision-making.

The project adopts a design science research approach embedded in five European Living Labs (Portugal, Germany, Belgium, Sweden, Serbia). This means that your work will combine:

• in-depth field research with farmers and other stakeholders,
• iterative design of interventions such as workshops, tools, and business model frameworks,
• real-world testing and validation of these interventions in practice.

You will study opportunity recognition and business model development as dynamic, situated processes, while simultaneously designing mechanisms that improve these processes in practice. The ambition is to generate high-impact publications in journals such as Research Policy, Strategic Management Journal, Journal of Business Venturing, and Entrepreneurship Theory & Practice, while maintaining strong practical relevance.

This position requires a candidate who is comfortable operating at the interface of theory and practice: developing rigorous academic insights while engaging directly with farmers and ecosystem partners to co-create solutions that work in real-world settings.

The position is embedded in the Innovation, Technology Entrepreneurship & Marketing (ITEM) group at Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e), a leading group in research on innovation, ecosystems, and business model design.

Job Requirements

• An outstanding, motivated, and curiosity-driven researcher with strong analytical skills and the ambition to contribute to top-tier academic research in strategy, entrepreneurship, and innovation.
• A MSc degree in Innovation Management, Strategy, Entrepreneurship, Industrial Engineering, or a related field, with a solid foundation in business models and/or innovation management.
• A strong interest in sustainability transitions and agrifood systems, with the motivation to work on real-world challenges in regenerative agriculture.
• Demonstrated ability or clear interest in conducting qualitative and/or mixed-method research (e.g., case studies, interviews, fieldwork), ideally combined with an affinity for design science or intervention-based research.
• Ability and willingness to engage directly with stakeholders (e.g. farmers, industry partners, policymakers) and translate complex theoretical concepts into actionable insights and tools.
• A strong affinity with interdisciplinary research, combining a rigorous scientific approach with openness to collaboration across domains and with non-academic partners.
• Interest in business model innovation, entrepreneurial processes, and/or ecosystem dynamics, and how these unfold in practice over time.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, and the ability to operate effectively in an international research environment.
• Proactive, independent, and organized, with the ability to manage a complex, multi-partner research project.
• Motivated to contribute to teaching and student supervision as part of your academic development.
• Fluent in spoken and written English (at least C1 level) and at least one of the languages spoken in the countries of the living labs (i.e. German, Swedish, Portuguese, French or Serbian.

Conditions of Employment
A meaningful job in a dynamic and ambitious university, in an interdisciplinary setting and within an international network. You will work on a beautiful, green campus within walking distance of the central train station. In addition, we offer you:

• Full-time employment for four years, with an intermediate assessment after nine months. You will spend a minimum of 10% of your four-year employment on teaching tasks, with a maximum of 15% per year of your employment.
• Salary and benefits (such as a pension scheme, paid pregnancy and maternity leave, partially paid parental leave) in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, scale P (min. € 3,059 - max. € 3,881).
• A year-end bonus of 8.3% and annual vacation pay of 8%.
• High-quality training programs and other support to grow into a self-aware, autonomous scientific researcher. At TU/e we challenge you to take charge of your own learning process.
• An excellent technical infrastructure, on-campus children's day care and sports facilities.
• Unlimited access to the modern on‑campus TU/e Student Sports Center at an exceptionally affordable rate.
• An allowance for commuting, working from home and internet costs.
• A Staff Immigration Team and a tax compensation scheme (the 30% facility) for international candidates.

On our website you can discover even more information about our conditions of employment. Build on your career at TU/e!

About us
We are a leading international university where scientific curiosity meets a hands-on mindset. We work in an open and collaborative way with high-tech industries to tackle complex societal challenges. Our responsible and respectful approach ensures impact — today and in the future. TU/e is home to over 13,000 students and more than 7,000 staff, forming a diverse and vibrant academic community.

Our university is located in Brainport Eindhoven — a world‑leading tech region with more than 7,000 high‑tech companies and strong R&D activity. Known for breakthroughs in AI, photonics, semiconductors and advanced manufacturing, Brainport is a place where technology serves people and society. Learn more about the Brainport region here.

The Industrial Engineering & Innovation Sciences (IE&IS) department combines disciplinary knowledge from the humanities, social sciences and technical sciences to solve the complex problems of industries and society. We collaboratively focus on and create responsible and effective innovations for the research themes: Humans and Technology, Supply Chain Management, Sustainability and Circularity, and Value of Data-Driven Intelligence.

Information
Do you recognize yourself in this profile and would you like to know more? Please contact the hiring manager Dr. Annelies Bobelyn, a.s.a.bobelyn@tue.nl.

[I1]Kan ik als PI van het WP de hiring manager zijn of moet dat de vakgroepvoorzitter zijn?

Visit our website for more information about the application process. You can also contact Jolanda van der Sande, HR Advice, j.l.v.d.sande@tue.nl, +31 40 2474979.

Curious to hear more about what it’s like as a PhD candidate at TU/e? Please view the video.

Are you inspired and would like to know more about working at TU/e? Please visit our career page.

Application
We invite you to submit a complete application by using the apply button. The application should include a:

• Cover letter in which you describe your motivation and qualifications for the position.
• Curriculum vitae, including a list of your publications and the contact information of three references. Kindly note that we may reach out to references at any stage of the recruitment process. We recommend notifying your references upon submitting your application.

Ensure that you submit all the requested application documents. We give priority to complete applications.

We look forward to receiving your application and will screen it as soon as possible. The vacancy will remain open until the position is filled.

Please note

• You can apply online. We will not process applications sent by email and/or post.
• A pre-employment screening (e.g. knowledge security check) can be part of the selection procedure. For more information on the knowledge security check, please consult the National Knowledge Security Guidelines.
• Please do not contact us for unsolicited services.

PostDoc in Synthesis of novel high-performance polyurethanes

In this project, the focus of the research will be on the design, synthesis and characterization of novel polyols for high performance PU materials. The research activities will include understanding of performance profile of new materials and elucidation of structure property relationships by means of various chemical, structural, rheological and mechanical characterization techniques.

The PD research will be carried out under the supervision of Prof. Željko Tomović in the Polymer Performance Materials group in the Department of Chemical Engineering and Chemistry at the TU/e, which is also the part of the interdisciplinary Institute for Complex Molecular Systems (ICMS), in which all polymer-related research groups at the TU/e participate. A description of the group can be found here: https://www.tue.nl/en/research/research-groups/polymer-performance-materials.

The TU/e offers academic education that is driven by fundamental and applied research. We combine scientific curiosity with a hands-on mentality. Our educational philosophy is based on personal attention and room for individual ambitions and talents. Our research meets the highest international standards of quality. We push the limits of science, which puts us at the forefront of rapidly emerging areas of research.