Postdoctoral Researcher – Tactile Sensing for Dexterous Manipulation

You will lead the design, fabrication, and characterization of compact tactile sensing modules that provide multi-axis force information, fit within a human hand form factor, and remain robust under the wear of real-world manipulation. You will survey and benchmark different tactile sensing modalities against each other, selecting the approaches best suited to the project's requirements. You will integrate the resulting sensors into one of the lab's existing tendon-driven robotic hand platforms, optimizing readout electronics and packaging for seamless system integration. You will design representative bench- and task-level benchmarks and demonstrate closed-loop tactile behaviors for real-time manipulation control. As the senior researcher on the project, you will co-supervise the PhD student and master's students working alongside you, take ownership of driving the work end to end, and lead dissemination through publication in top robotics venues.

The Soft Robotics Lab within the Institute of Robotics and Intelligent Systems at ETH Zurich is inviting applications for a postdoctoral position within an industry-funded research collaboration. The lab has showcased its research in robotic design and algorithms through real-world applications such as a robotic fish for underwater locomotion and soft robotic hands for versatile object and scene manipulation.

• A completed PhD in robotics, mechanical engineering, mechatronics, electrical engineering, or a closely related field

• A strong, published track record of hands-on hardware research: designing, fabricating, and experimentally validating physical sensing or actuation systems in the real world

• Demonstrated expertise in at least one relevant sensing modality (e.g. tactile, force, or optical sensing), and comfort working across electronics, mechanical design, fabrication, and signal processing

• A track record of peer-reviewed publications in leading robotics venues that demonstrate both technical depth and real-world validation of results

• Prior experience mentoring or co-supervising PhD or master's students, and a collaborative, supportive mindset

• Strong written and spoken English, and comfort communicating results to an industry partner as well as an academic audience

• Background or experience in tactile sensing or dexterous manipulation is a plus