Tampere University and Tampere University of Applied Sciences create a unique environment for multidisciplinary, inspirational and high-impact research and education. Our universities community has its competitive edges in technology, health and society. www.tuni.fi/en

The research group on Light Robots at Tampere University, Finland, currently has 8 researchers and is led by Prof. Hao Zeng. The group works at the interface between physics, soft mechanics and material engineering, with particular interests in developing smart materials-based robots that are controlled by light and possess interactive functions.

Job Description

We are looking for one Postdoctoral Researcher  to work on “From light fueled self-oscillators to light communicating material networks”. 

Our group is seeking for one Postdoctoral Researchers with strong background and interest in one of the following fields, optics, shape-deformable polymers, micro-fabrication and/or micro-robotics. 

Dynamic smart materials that can sense changes in their surroundings and respond in functional way could greatly benefit science and engineering. The ERC-StG ONLINE project seeks to develop life-like material structures that communicate with each other via physical contact, fluidic media or optical beams. These artificial materials will be able to sustain their mechanical oscillation when they are not in thermodynamic equilibrium. Leveraging this self-oscillation concept, ONLINE’s goal is to design microscopic scale soft robots, i.e. walker swarms, cilia array and material network that sustain their own movements, make their own decisions and adapt to their environmental conditions, without human control. 

We perform our research mainly on optical tables, with professional skills in material/robot fabrication, via photopolymerization, 2-photon laser lithography, laser cutting, etc., and using the research infrastructure (SEM, XRD, DSC, etc.) that we share with our collaborators. 

The exact direction of the research is determined by the project tasks, but responsibilities and research topic can be tailored to the candidate’s skillset, experience and interests. Participation in the project also offers international cooperation possibilities, conferences and scholar visits abroad.

Requirements

• PhD degree in relevant fields (e.g., physics, mechanical engineering, materials sciences). Good experimental skills in optics, responsive polymers, micro-fabrication or micro-robotics. 

Tampere University is a unique, multidisciplinary, forward-thinking, and evolving community. Our values are openness, critical thinking, diversity, learner-centredness, courage, erudition, and responsibility. We hope you can embrace these values and promote them in your role. 

We offer

The postdoc position will be for a period of 2 years, with possibility of 2-year extension. The starting date is preferably mid 2025 or as mutually agreed upon by both parties.  A trial period of six (6) months applies to all our new employees. 

The salary will be based on both the position requirements and the employee's personal performance in accordance with the Salary system of Finnish universities. According to the criteria applied to teaching and research staff, the position of a postdoctoral research fellow is placed on level 5-6 of the job requirements scale.  In addition to the basic salary, a supplementary salary will be paid according to personal performance, depending on the selected candidate’s qualifications and experience. Typical gross salary for a postdoctoral researcher is 3900 euros per month. 

We offer you the opportunity to join our dynamic and innovative international community. As a member of staff at Tampere University, you will enjoy a range of competitive benefits, such as occupational health care services, flexible work schedule, versatile research infrastructure, modern teaching facilities and a safe and inviting campus area as well as a personal fund to spend on sports and cultural activities in your free time. Please read more about working at Tampere University. You can also find more information about us and working and living in Tampere by watching our video:  Tampere Higher Education Community - our academic playground

Tampere is the largest inland city in Finland and is considered a major academic hub in the Nordic countries. The region is home to a vibrant, knowledge-intensive entrepreneurial community, and the city is an industrial powerhouse with a rich cultural scene and a reputation as a centre of Finland's information society. Additionally, Finland is known for being one of the most stable, free, and safe countries in the world, based on various ratings by prominent agencies. Tampere is surrounded by stunning nature, with forests and lakes offering countless opportunities for easy-to-access outdoor adventures and refreshment throughout the year.

Read more about Finland and Tampere: 

• Visit Finland
• This is Finland
• Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment: Welcome to Finland
• Visit Tampere

How to apply

Please submit your application through our online recruitment system. The closing date for applications is February 28,  2025 (at 23.59 EEST / UTC +2). Please write your application and all accompanying documents in English and attach them in PDF format.

Applications should include the following documents:

• Curriculum Vitae (freestyle)
• List of publications
• A letter of motivation (max one page), highlighting your achievements and ambition. Please indicate your preferred topic seen from our group website. 

For more information, please contact:

Professor Hao Zeng, hao.zeng(at)tuni.fi

Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences | Materials Science and Environmental Engineering | Engineering Materials Science (EMS)

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Tampereen yliopisto ja Tampereen ammattikorkeakoulu muodostavat korkeakouluyhteisön, joka uskoo ihmiseen ja tieteeseen. Tekniikan, terveyden ja yhteiskunnan huippuosaajat muuttavat maailmaa Suomen toiseksi suurimmassa monitieteisessä ja innostavassa tutkimus- ja oppimisympäristössä. www.tuni.fi

Prof. Hao Zengin johtamassa Valo-robotiikan tutkimusryhmässä Tampereen yliopistolla työskentelee tällä hetkellä 8 tutkijaa. Ryhmämme työskentelee fysiikan, pehmeän mekaniikan ja materiaalitekniikan rajapinnassa, ja ryhmän visiona on kehittää älymateriaaleihin perustuvia robotteja, jotka liikkuvat sekä ovat interaktiivisia ja kykeneviä itsesäätöön, sopeutumiseen ja kommunikointiin.

Työn kuvaus:

Etsimme tutkijatohtoria projektiin "Valo-energialla toimivista itse-oskilloijista valokommunikoiviin materiaaliverkkoihin". Hakijoilla tulee olla vahva tausta ja kiinnostus johonkin seuraavista aloista: pehmeä mekaniikka, optiikka/fysiikka, älymateriaalit tai mikrovalmistus. Dynaamiset materiaalit, jotka voivat aistia muutoksia ympäristössään ja reagoida toiminnallisella tavalla, voisivat suuresti hyödyttää tiedettä ja tekniikkaa.

Hakuohjeet

Tarkemmat tehtävänkuvaukset ja tehtävään liittyvät tutkimusprojektit ovat esitelty ilmoituksen englanninkielisessä osassa.

Jätäthän hakemuksesi yliopiston sähköisellä hakulomakkeella (linkki löytyy tämän ilmoituksen alta). Hakuaika tehtävään päättyy 28.02.2025.

Lisätiedot: 

Professori, tutkimusryhmän johtaja Hao Zeng, hao.zeng (at) tuni.fi