All Answers: [pakgrid] Postdoctoral position in nano-physics, Material science, engg., Italy

Sunday 21 October 2012

[pakgrid] Postdoctoral position in nano-physics, Material science, engg., Italy

Postdoctoral position in the development of a Microactuated Personal Assistive Device for visually impaired people (µPAD), Italy
Nanophysics

The Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia - IIT - was founded with the objective of promoting the country's technological development and further education in science and technology. In this sense, IIT's scientific program is based on the combination of the basic scientific research with the development of technical applications, a major inspirational principle. The research areas cover scientific topics of high innovative content, which represent the most advanced frontiers of modern technology, with wide application possibilities in various fields ranging from medicine to industry, from computer science to robotics, life sciences, and nanobiotechnology.

Applications are invited for a Post-doctoral position in the development of a "Microactuated Personal Assistive Device for visually impaired people (µPAD)". The project is aimed at building a tactile refreshable display for blind and visually impaired people.

The nature of the project is multidisciplinary and interdepartmental: therefore the research activities will be supported by:
The Smart Materials Group of the Nanophysics Department in Genova
The Robotics, Brain and Cognitive Sciences Department in Genova
The Biorobotics Department of the Center for Biomolecular Nanotechnologies in Lecce
The candidate will be responsible in building an appropriate surface made with smart materials (e.g artificial muscles, polymers etc...), with the challenging requirement of setting its mechanical behavior under usability and biocompatibility constraints. He/she will assemble the passive/active actuator array with the mentioned surface, using feedback from perceptual tests involving sighted and visually impaired users.
The duration of the project is 2 years, working place Genova, Italy.
Required expertise: although many skills of several fields converge in this project, good knowledge in material sciences is requested. PhD in one of the following or related areas is recommended:
Material Science, Engineering
Physics
Experience in mechanical transduction with electrical and magnetic fields is required.
Optional expertise: previous experience with tactile/haptic interfaces, MEMS, polymeric composites preparation and characterization.

Manifestation of interest for participation in the selection process should be sent by December 21st 2012 to Dr Luca Brayda ( luca.brayda@iit.it ), Dr Despina Fragouli ( despina.fragouli@iit.it) or Dr Simona Petroni ( simona.petroni@iit.it).

In order to comply with the Italian law (art. 23 of Privacy Law of the Italian Legislative Decree n. 196/03), we have to kindly ask the candidate to give his/her consent to allow IIT to process his/her personal data. We inform you that the information you provide will be used solely for the purpose of assessing your professional profile to meet the requirements of Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia. Your data will be processed by Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, with headquarters in Genoa, Via Morego 30, acting as the Data Holder, using computer and paper based means, observing the rules on protection of personal data, including those relating to the security of data. Please also note that, pursuant to art.7 of Legislative Decree 196/2003, you may exercise your rights at any time as a party concerned by contacting the Data Manager. The Italian Institute of Technology is an Equal Opportunity Employer that actively seeks diversity in the workforce.