16 Apr 2026
Job Information
- Organisation/Company
Universite de Montpellier- Department
Human Resources- Research Field
Engineering- Researcher Profile
Recognised Researcher (R2)- Positions
Postdoc Positions- Application Deadline
16 May 2026 - 23:59 (Europe/Paris)- Country
France- Type of Contract
Temporary- Job Status
Full-time- Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?
Horizon Europe- Reference Number
2026-R0242- Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?
No
Offer Description
- work environment: The recruited person will join a dynamic research environment dedicated to soft robotics and advanced robotic systems within the DEXTER team at LIRMM in Montpellier, France. He or she will actively contribute to the design, fabrication, evaluation, and optimization of novel robotic architectures, with the ultimate goal of developing an original technology with no international equivalent and strong prospects for industrial and clinical applications.
Project Overview: This postdoctoral position is part of an innovative research project in the field of soft robotics, aiming to design inflatable flexible robotic systems capable of safely interacting with complex or confined environments. The project particularly focuses on inflatable soft robots for applications in medical and industrial endoscopy as well as industrial inspection, where compactness and maneuverability are critical.
The ambition of the project is to overcome current limitations related to the bulkiness of fluidic actuation supply lines and the limited number of achievable degrees of freedom. To address these challenges, the project proposes a novel approach to soft robot design by integrating miniaturized soft valves directly into the robot structure, enabling sequential control of pneumatic actuators through a reduced number of supply channels. This strategy aims to achieve highly compact and functional soft robotic systems with strong potential for technological transfer.
- main mission: The recruited postdoctoral researcher will contribute to the design, fabrication, evaluation, and optimization of pneumatically actuated flexible robots. The primary objective is to propose an original serial soft robotic architecture and to advance the project toward a level close to technological transfer, with potential medical and industrial applications.
- activities: The postdoctoral researcher will be involved in the following tasks:
- State of the art and design
Establishing a comprehensive state of the art on mechanical addressing principles for pneumatic actuation and their implementation in soft materials; selecting and developing an appropriate addressing strategy; integrating miniaturized soft valves directly into the soft robot structure; and designing initial robotic prototypes.
- Fabrication
Fabrication of an actuation addressing prototype and its integration into existing robotic structures developed at LIRMM (Montpellier – France); realization of a compact soft robotic prototype.
- Control
Development of sequential control algorithms for the robot and its pneumatic actuators, enabling actuation through a reduced number of control signals and fluidic supply channels.
- Performance evaluation and optimization
Experimental evaluation of the developed soft robot; analysis of performance; iterative design refinement and optimization; and final validation tests.
- Dissemination and transfer initiation
Dissemination of scientific results through publications in international journals and conferences; preparation of an invention disclosure where relevant; contribution to national and international visibility; and participation in the preparation of future technology transfer actions.
Expected Outcome
The main expected outcome of the project is the realization of a serial soft robot whose inflatable actuators can be addressed by multiplexing using a minimal number of pneumatic supply channels. This result will constitute a key milestone marking the completion of the postdoctoral contract and will serve as a basis for evaluating the success of the project.
The net monthly salary is €2,200
The contract duration is 18 months
Where to apply
yassine.haddab@umontpellier.fr
Requirements
- Research Field
- Engineering
- Education Level
- PhD or equivalent
Skills/Qualifications
Candidates must hold a PhD in robotics, mechatronics, mechanical engineering, or a related field, or an equivalent degree.
The ideal candidate should demonstrate:
- Strong expertise in robotics and mechanical systems
- Solid knowledge of continuum mechanics, deformable structures, and fluid mechanics
- Proven experience in both theoretical/methodological developments and experimental work, including prototype fabrication, experimental setups, measurements, and data analysis
- The ability to work both autonomously and collaboratively within a research team, and openness to acquiring new skills
Additional Information
Additional comments
Website Link : https://www.lirmm.fr/lirmm-en/
Work Location(s)
- Number of offers available
- 1
- Company/Institute
- Laboratoire d'Informatique de Robotique et de Microélectronique de Montpellier (LIRMM)
- Country
- France
- Geofield
Contact
- City
Montpellier- Website
http://www.umontpellier.fr/- Street
163 rue Auguste Broussonnet- Postal Code
34000
STATUS: EXPIRED
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