Postdoctoral Researcher in Advanced Flexure-Mechanism Design (W/M)

The Micromechanical and Horological Design Laboratory (INSTANT-LAB) at EPFL Neuchâtel seeks a postdoctoral researcher in flexure-mechanism design. Flexure-based mechanisms move by elastic deformation of slender elements instead of sliding or rolling joints, giving frictionless, backlash-free and repeatable motion for space, cryogenic, ultra-clean, MEMS and surgical applications, but their design involves trade-offs between motion range, load capacity and stiffness, and sensitivity to manufacturing tolerances.

The postdoc will help build a design and modelling framework that addresses several performance criteria and robustness to tolerances at once, combining SNSF-funded fundamental research with an Innosuisse-supported collaboration with an industrial partner using adjustable-stiffness flexure-based load cells, through analytical and numerical modelling, design and experimental validation. The renewable one-year contract starts on 1 January 2027; applications are due by 1 December 2026.

PhD in mechanical engineering, microengineering, robotics or a closely related field; expertise in analytical and numerical structural mechanics, mechanical design and precision engineering; at least two peer-reviewed journal papers; strong experimental skills; excellent English, French an advantage.