Fully Funded University of Leeds UK 2022 PhD Funded Scholarship in the Fabrication of Soft Robots

This PhD will investigate novel fabrication technologies and methods, including Aerosol Jet Printing, to create sub-mm diameter magnetically-driven soft continuum-robots, featuring high-resolution controlled multi-material construction (magnetisable materials and elastomeric materials) that can traverse complex channel networks.

This will be investigated as a route to robotic surgery in the pancreas. Pancreatic cancer is currently the deadliest form of cancer (mortality 95% for less than 2yrs). The University of Leeds, in partnership with clinicians and industry, are investigating new technologies to address some of the challenges for effective surgical treatment. Our vision is to challenge the mind-set of pancreatic cancer being a prognosis of extremely limited options and enable revolutionary treatments that will save lives and allow patients to live without major side-effects.

Our research will seek to enable future treatments by allowing non-destructive access to the pancreas' intricate sensitive internal anatomy. This will be investigated through the creation of sub-mm magnetically-driven soft continuum-robots featuring high-resolution controlled multi-material construction (magnetisable materials and elastomeric materials) that can traverse and deliver treatments within the pancreas. This will be investigated by a research team of academics, research fellows and PhD researchers spanning technology themes of; manufacturing technology, robotics, and materials processing. This particular PhD position concerns the manufacturing technology research. 

This post will be conducted within The Future Manufacturing Processes Research Group who explore how novel methods of manufacturing can provide new capabilities in products and services across a wide range of applications. The group have a large portfolio of externally funded research projects, in addition to significant flexible funding for long-term strategic research initiatives. The group have recently been recognised, by extensive external peer review, to be World Leading. This research is in collaboration with the STORM lab at Leeds. 

While working in close collaboration with the wider project team, this role will specialise in the study of the manufacturing process apparatus and instrumentation, with associated experimentation and testing.? This role requires good experimental skills and the ability to create new rigs and machine designs. The manufacturing processes to be investigated will include Aerosol Jet Printing, where our research group at Leeds are developing unique capability.

• Table of Content
• About University Of Leeds
• University of Leeds PhD Scholarship
• Aim and Benefits of University of Leeds PhD Scholarship
• University of Leeds PhD Scholarship Courses
• Requirements for University of Leeds PhD Scholarship Qualification
• Application Deadline
• How to Apply

About University Of Leeds

University of Leeds PhD Scholarship

Aim and Benefits of University of Leeds PhD Scholarship

The value of the scholarship is full fees at the University of Leeds standard rate of fees + A maintenance grant at the standard UKRI rate (£15,609 in Session 2021/22).

University of Leeds PhD Scholarship Courses

• Fabrication of Soft Robots

Requirements for University of Leeds PhD Scholarship Qualification

• Open for UK applicants.
• Applications are invited from candidates with a bachelor and/or Masters degree in a relevant engineering or science degree such as (but not limited to) mechanical engineering, mechatronics, physics, robotics, electrical and electronic engineering, and biomedical engineering. Desirable background experience may include topics of rapid prototyping/3D printing, digital manufacturing processes, robotics, computer-aided design, and modelling and simulation are highly desirable.
• Minimum English language entry requirement for research postgraduate research study is an IELTS of 6.0 overall with at least 5.5 in each component (reading, writing, listening and speaking) or equivalent.
• Applicants should be willing to pursue PhD related to novel fabrication technologies and methods, including Aerosol Jet Printing, to create sub-mm diameter magnetically-driven soft continuum-robots, featuring high-resolution controlled multi-material construction (magnetisable materials and elastomeric materials) that can traverse complex channel networks.

Application Deadline

How to Apply

Formal applications for research degree study should be made online through the University's website. Please state clearly in the research information section that the research degree you wish to be considered for is Fabrication of Soft Robots as well as Professor Russell Harris as your proposed supervisor.

If English is not your first language, you must provide evidence that you meet the University's minimum English language requirements (below).