Postdoc Tactile Robotics for Dexterous Manipulation

Challenge: Control robotic dexterous hand during dynamic movements

Change: Leverage high-resolution tactile sensors to handle contacts

Impact: Autonomous grasping and manipulation

Job description

Dexterous manipulation represents one of robotics' most fundamental unsolved problems. While robots excel at precise positioning and heavy lifting, they fail at tasks humans perform unconsciously – sliding a glass without spilling, rotating a screwdriver with proper torque, or coordinating fingers to tie shoelaces. This gap has profound implications for manufacturing, healthcare, domestic assistance, and applications where robots must interact delicately with the physical world.

Current robotic systems rely primarily on vision and force sensors, missing the rich tactile information that enables human dexterity. Our lab pioneered a new tactile sensor technology (best student paper award at ICRA 2025) that offers unprecedented spatial resolution and sensitivity, providing robots with meaningful tactile sensing. This position represents a unique opportunity to leverage rich tactile information for dexterous manipulation.

Your role and impact

As postdoctoral researcher, you'll lead the research in leveraging our tactile sensor technology to control grippers and multi-finger hands. Your primary mission involves developing control strategies that enable robots to perform complex manipulation through tactile feedback. You'll focus on three critical aspects of the problem:

• sliding motion control
• rotation strategies for precise tool manipulation
• multi-finger coordination for more complex tasks

We expect that you will blend theoretical approaches with hands-on experimentation, as well as collaborate with PhD candidates. You'll design experiments using our robotic platform, analyze tactile data patterns, implement real-time control algorithms, and validate performance across diverse scenarios.

The team and environment

You'll be part of the Tactile Machines Lab, which is a dynamic, interdisciplinary group of researcher bringing together expertise in robotics, sensing, machine learning, biomechanics, and haptics.

The project is funded by a NWO VIDI grant to the PI and provides financial security, access to state-of-the-art equipment, travel resources, and freedom to pursue new research directions.

You will work alongside two PhD candidates and numerous Master’s students, providing opportunities for mentoring.

Our lab maintains strong industry partnerships, offering opportunities to test algorithms on real-world applications.

This research addresses a fundamental robotics limitation that can potentially enable transformative applications. Your contributions will directly influence next-generation robotic systems, from surgical robots requiring precise manipulation to manufacturing systems handling delicate objects such as fruits.

Working on this project positions you at the forefront of robotics in the burgeoning field of tactile robotics. It is the perfect platform for you to gain expertise in cutting-edge sensing technologies, develop deep understanding of robotic manipulation, and build a record of high-impact publications.

Job requirements

• PhD in Robotics, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or related field
• Strong background in robotic and control systems
• Experience with dexterous manipulation, tactile sensing or haptic systems
• Proficiency in programming (Python, C++, MATLAB, or similar)
• Experience with robotic platforms and hardware
• Knowledge of machine learning and signal processing techniques
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities
• Publication record in robotics, sensing, or related fields

Faculty Mechanical Engineering

You will be based in the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, a dynamic and innovative faculty with high-tech lab facilities and international reach.

Conditions of employment

• Duration of contract is 1,5 year Temporary
• Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities.
• An excellent pension scheme via the ABP.
• The possibility to compile an individual employment package every year.
• Discount with health insurers on supplemental packages.
• Flexible working week.
• Every year, 232 leave hours (at 38 hours). You can also sell or buy additional leave hours via the individual choice budget.
• Plenty of opportunities for education, training and courses.
• Partially paid parental leave
• Attention for working healthy and energetically with the vitality program.