PhD Positions in Soft Robotics and Flexible Mechatronic Systems for Wearable Devices and Biomedical Applications

Graduate School of Biomedical
Engineering, Faculty of Engineering

Dear All,
PhD Positions in Soft Robotics and Flexible Mechatronic Systems for Wearable Devices and Biomedical Applications

Graduate School of Biomedical Engineering (GSBmE) in collaboration with School of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of New South Wales (UNSW), Sydney, Australia is looking for several PhD positions (3.5-4 years) in few projects related to surgical/medical robotics, haptics, and wearable devices starting in Semester 3 (Sept/2019) with fully scholarship support for both tuition fee and stipend. The deadline for this term intake is 03/May/2019.

Project 1: Flexible/Surgical Robots
This project will focus on the mechanical design, fabrication, modelling, and control for novel generation miniature flexible robotic arms/catheters with advanced actuation and sensing technologies for flexible endoscopic systems. The robotic systems will also integrate real-time haptic displays to be used in gastrointestinal cancer treatments and other related diseases. Clinical trials on living animals and human will be carried out at the end of the project. The successful candidates are expected to have strong skills and experiences on mechanical design, flexible mechatronic systems, control, and good hands-on with soft material fabrication and prototypes. This project will collaborate with leading researchers, surgeons, and
experts from UNSW, local hospitals, partners in Australia and USA.

Project 2: Actuators and sensors for wearable devices and robotic applications
This project will develop strong, multifunctional, and shape programmable soft actuators with embedded sensors for wearable devices and robotic systems to be used in healthcare, rehabilitation, haptics, entertainments, military, and industrial sectors. The successful candidates are expected to have good hands-on skills in mechanical design and soft material fabrications with sensors and actuators. Experiences in wearable and haptic systems, electronics, modelling, and control are highly desired. This project will collaborate with leading researchers and experts from both Australia and USA.
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Prospective students with background in these following areas are desirable: mechanical design, mechatronics, soft robotics, smart materials, and control. Good hands-on skills and experiences in medical device design, mechanical fabrication, sensors, actuators, and soft materials are plus. Successful candidates should be highly self-motivated to pursue independent and interdisciplinary research.
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Minimum requirements:
– A four-year bachelor’s degree with Honours Class I from an Australian institution or equivalent research qualification experience.
– English Tests (IELTS overall score 6.5 and above, min. 6.0 in all skills; TOEFL iBT, overall 90 (min. 23 in writing, 22 in reading, listening and speaking); PTE Academic, overall score 64 with min. 54 in each subtest.
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Applications:
Interested students are invited to send their applications to Dr. Thanh Nho Do
via tn.do{at}unsw.edu.au and include:
1) Cover letter with your detailed research interest (1-2 pages would be fine)
2) Your CV with detailed experiences (previous and current projects, publications) and includes at least two
academic references
3) Summary (1-2 pages) of Bachelor and/or Master thesis
4) Academic transcripts and certificates of degrees
5) Soft copy of your publications if any (e.g. journals, conferences, thesis…) and links to illustration
photos/videos, developed prototypes, website…
6) Proof of English proficiency (TOEFL, IELTS…) that meets minimum requirement from UNSW (as above).
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Note: Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for interviews.

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Additional Offer:
– In additional to UNSW scholarships, a top-up allowance per year for 3.5 years will be provided for exceptional candidates.
– Annual travel fund for local/international conference and to visit collaborators’ labs in USA and Europe.
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About UNSW: UNSW Australia is a research-intensive university ranked in the world’s top 50 universities (QS rankings 2018). UNSW ranks 45th in the 2018 QS World University Rankings, 85th in the 2018 Times Higher Education World University Rankings, and 36th in the world for academic reputation. UNSW is a
member of the prestigious Group of Eight Australia’s leading research-intensive universities and is Australia’s most comprehensive research-intensive university, one of only two in the world to be ranked in 50 subject areas in the Shanghai Ranking’s Global Ranking of Academic Subjects 2017. The main UNSW campus is located in the eastern suburbs of Sydney only 7km from the centre of the city, 2km from Coogee Beach and 5km from Sydney’s international and domestic airports.

About Sydney: Sydney, a great place to live and enjoy, is one of the most beautiful, liveable and friendly cities in the world. Ranked eleventh in the world for economic opportunity, Sydney has an advanced market economy with strengths in finance, manufacturing and tourism. The city is among the top fifteen mostvisited cities in the world, with millions of tourists coming each year to see the city’s landmarks with beautiful beaches and parks. Boasting over 1,000,000 ha (2,500,000 acres) of nature reserves and parks, its notable natural features include Sydney Harbour, the Royal National Park, Royal Botanic Garden and Hyde Park, the oldest parkland in the country. Built attractions such as the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the World
Heritage-listed Sydney Opera House are also well known to international visitors.
Thank you very much.
Yours Sincerely
Thanh Nho Do PhD
Scientia Fellow, Lecturer
Graduate School of Biomedical Engineering, University of New South Wales (UNSW) SYDNEY
NSW 2052 AUSTRALIA