Long-term stability of EAPs under high electrical and mechanical stress

Objectives: Issues that are focused upon are related directly to project objectives:
(A) understanding how the lifetime of dielectric electroactive polymer (DEAP) devices is affected by (1) the combination of electrical and mechanical stress, (2) the dynamics of charging processes inside the DEAP material, (3) the presence of microscopic defects, and (4) the design and application of electrodes. Given a set of constraints of DEAP operating regime, DEAP size and required lifetime the maximum value will be determined for the electric field that is allowed. (B) Testing protocol and lifetime statistics. Based partially upon the knowledge obtained in (A), a testing protocol will be designed that provides the link between short duration laboratory testing on small specimens and industrial size DEAP devices that need to operate at a certain reliability for a number of years. In this part of the project, an assessment will be made of how DEAP materials can be exploited in an optimal and sustainable way.

Applications are invited for PhD positions (“Early Stage Researchers” ESR) to be funded by the Marie-Sklodowska-Curie Innovative Training Network “MICACT – Microactuators” within the Horizon 2020 Programme of the European Commission. The ESR will obtain PhD with a wide experience in materials engineering and/or mechatronics engineering.
The successful candidate should have following profile:
● M.Sc. in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Physics, Chemistry, Material Science/Engineering,, or related field
● Strong experimental skills in electrical and mechanical engineering, materials science, basic polymer science, functional biology or related field
● Have a strong interest in interdisciplinary research and enjoy teamwork with colleagues in a multicultural setting.
● Adept at thinking at a system level, interested in applications and enjoy building and testing working devices
● Highly motivated, taking initiative, communicative, quality minded, flexible, and eager to learn
● Eager to frequent travel to secondment hosts and workshops
● Experience in the fields of soft actuators or testing will be an asset.
● Basic knowledge in clean room processes will be appreciated
● Fluent in English. Knowledge of local language is a plus.

Application procedure:

Interested candidates should send their CV and Letter of Motivations to HOST CONTACT (indicate the selected ESR and host!). Deadline for applications is January 28th. Earlier application gives an advantage.
The host contact person will give additional information about formal requirements to apply for PhD student position at specific university.

Positions will be filled starting from March 1st.

Benefits and salary
The MSCA programme offers highly competitive and attractive salary and working conditions. The successful candidates will receive a salary in accordance with the MSCA regulations for early stage researchers. Exact salary will be confirmed upon appointment [Living Allowance = 37.320 euro/year (correction factor to be applied per country) + Monthly mobility allowance = 600 to 1100 euro depending on the family situation]. In addition to their individual scientific projects, all fellows will benefit from further continuing education, which includes internships and secondments, a variety of training modules as well as transferable skills courses and active participation in workshops and conferences.

Eligibility criteria
● Early-stage researchers (ESR) are those who are, at the time of recruitment by the host, in the first four years (full-time equivalent) of their research careers. ESR should qualify as PhD student for PhD programme in the university in which the research training is provided.
● Researchers can be of any nationality. At the time of recruitment by the host, researchers must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the country of their host for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately prior to the reference date. Short stays such as holidays and/or compulsory national service are not taken into account.