Applications are now open for 12 fully funded PhD positions in the SAM3, Soft Active Matter Microrobots for Medicine Doctoral Network.
This EU-funded Marie Curie program focuses on developing innovative soft microrobots and smart materials for minimally invasive medical procedures in the ear, nose, and throat area. The network brings together top universities, research institutes, and companies across Europe.
The positions are fully funded for 3 years. There is no application fee. Candidates from all nationalities can apply, subject to Marie Curie mobility rules. The deadline is 15 July 2026, and positions will remain open until filled. Starting date is Autumn 2026. You can check outย BS, MS,ย PhDย andย postdoc positions here.
All Available Positions (Please click on specific project to view details)
SAM3 โ Soft Active Matter Microrobots for Medicine (Marie Curie Doctoral Network)
Coordinated by Universitรฉ de Mons (UMONS), Belgium Funding: EU Horizon Europe โ Marie Skลodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA-DN) Number of PhD Positions: 12 Focus: Development of soft active microrobots for minimally invasive medical interventions in the ear-nose-throat (ENT) area, particularly middle ear, olfactory clefts, and skull cavity access.
The project trains doctoral candidates at the interface of materials science, microrobotics, engineering, and medicine, with strong industry and clinical exposure through secondments.
Application Email (common for most positions): [email protected] Deadline: 15 July 2026 (positions remain open until filled) Starting Date: Autumn 2026 Duration: 3 years full-time
More Information: Official SAM3 Page
Also Check: 19 Fully Funded PhD Scholarships at University College Cork Ireland 2026
ESR1: Electromechanically Responsive Materials for Tethered Robotic and Sensing Functions
Host: UMONS (Mons, Belgium) โ SMPC Lab Supervisors: Prof. Jรฉrรฉmy Odent (main), Prof. Jean-Marie Raquez (co)
Project Goal: Develop 3D-printable electromechanically responsive materials based on mechanical-to-ionic transduction for safe navigation in the Eustachian tube (middle ear access).
Expected Results:
- Ionic polymeric materials with electrolyte and electrode layers for actuation via ion migration.
- Solid-state polyelectrolytes for pressure-based voltage sensing.
- Hybrid ionic systems combining actuation and sensing for proprioception.
Secondments:
- 5 months at CERGY (France) โ electroactive actuators.
- 4 months at EMPA (Switzerland) โ 2PP structuring and microscale characterization.
- 3 months at Percipio Robotics (France) โ prototype integration.
Candidate Profile:
- Strong background in polymer and organic chemistry.
- Interest in materials engineering and additive manufacturing.
- Good command of English (French or German is a plus).
How to Apply: Send to [email protected]: CV, motivation letter, academic certificates/transcripts (in English), and 2 recommendation letters.
Also Check: PhD Scholarships at University of Genoa Italy 2026/2027 (Fully Funded)
ESR2: Light Responsive Materials for Tethered Robotic Function
Host: UNIFI / LENS (Firenze, Italy) Supervisors: Prof. Camilla Parmeggiani (main), Dr. Sara Nocentini (co)
Project Goal: Develop 3D-printable light-responsive Liquid Crystalline Networks (LCNs) for tethered robotic functions in olfactory clefts (e.g., grasping, liquid handling).
Expected Results:
- Synthesis of polymerizable azobenzene dyes with stable cis-isomer under visible/NIR light.
- Bistable LCN microstructures for deformation in biological environments.
- 3D microstructures via photolithography and porous sponge-like LCNs for liquid release/adsorption.
- Integration onto optical fibers and testing in phantoms.
Secondments:
- 6 months at Percipio Robotics (France) โ integration in microsurgery.
- 4 months at ULB (Belgium) โ 3D microactuators and phantom testing.
Candidate Profile:
- Masterโs in chemistry, materials science, or materials engineering.
- Background in polymer chemistry, smart materials, or 3D printing.
- English required; Italian or French is a plus.
Also Check: 100+ PhD Scholarships in Italy 2026 (Fully Funded)
ESR3: Magnetic Responsive Materials for Untethered Robotic Function
Host: UNIFI / LENS (Firenze, Italy) Supervisors: Dr. Daniele Martella (main), Prof. Camilla Parmeggiani (co)
Project Goal: Develop 3D-printable magnetic-thermo responsive Liquid Crystalline Networks doped with magnetic nanoparticles for untethered navigation and gripping in cerebrospinal fluid access.
Expected Results:
- Synthesis and functionalization of magnetic nanoparticles.
- Thermo-responsive LCNs and their composites.
- 3D microstructures via photolithography.
- Locomotion and gripping demonstrations in phantoms using magnetic fields and hyperthermia.
Secondments:
- 6 months at Heteromerge (Germany) โ multimaterial 3D printing.
- 3 months at UT Twente (Netherlands) โ magnetic navigation testing.
Candidate Profile:
- Masterโs in chemistry, materials science/engineering.
- Background in polymer chemistry, magnetic nanoparticles, or smart materials 3D printing.
- English required; Italian or French is a plus.
Also Check: The Rhodes Scholarship 2027 at University of Oxford
ESR4: Grayscale 3D-Printing for Tailored Sensory-Motor Control and Multidirectional Proprioception
Host: UMONS (Mons, Belgium) โ SMPC Lab Supervisors: Prof. Jรฉrรฉmy Odent (main), Prof. Jean-Marie Raquez (co)
Project Goal: Use grayscale 3D-printing to create functionally graded materials with anisotropic actuation and sensing properties for middle ear applications.
Expected Results:
- Functionally graded materials via composition, crosslinking, and orientation control.
- Fast, reversible, multimodal actuation and sensing.
- Understanding of anisotropic behavior from different printing strategies.
Secondments:
- 6 months at LENS (Italy) โ SLA structuring.
- 4 months at Microlight (France) โ 2PP functional printing.
Candidate Profile:
- Background in materials engineering, polymer/organic chemistry, and additive manufacturing.
- English required; Italian or French is a plus.
Also Check: PhD, Postdoc & Professor Positions at University of Twente Netherlands 2026
ESR5: Magnetic Ultra-Soft Untethered Microrobots for the Olfactory Pathway Transfer
Host: SSSA (Pisa, Italy) โ BioRobotics Institute Supervisors: Prof. Stefano Palagi (main), Prof. Veronica Iacovacci (co)
Project Goal: Magnetic transfer of ultra-soft untethered microrobots through the cribriform plate for brain access (bypassing blood-brain barrier).
Expected Results:
- Optimized ultra-soft magnetic microrobots.
- Control strategies for complex environments.
- Validation in human cranium-like phantoms (plastic and cell-laden).
Secondments:
- 2 months at Alemnis (Switzerland) โ mechanical characterization.
- 6 months at KUL (Belgium) โ numerical optimization of softness.
- 4 months at ULB (Belgium) โ phantom validation.
Candidate Profile:
- Masterโs in biomedical engineering, materials science, physics, or biotechnologies.
- English required; Italian, German, Dutch, or French is a plus.
Also Check: EPFL Fully Funded PhD & Postdoc Positions 2026 in Switzerland
ESR6: Magnetic Untethered Microrobots Swarms for Vortex-Enabled Biopsy
Host: SSSA (Pisa, Italy) โ BioRobotics Institute Supervisors: Prof. Veronica Iacovacci (main), Prof. Stefano Palagi (co)
Project Goal: Use swarms of magnetic microrobots to generate fluid vortices for biopsy and cargo handling in cerebrospinal fluid.
Expected Results:
- Swarms of untethered magnetic microrobots.
- Actuation strategies for vortex generation.
- Cargo pickup/release and fluorescence imaging control.
Secondments:
- 4 months at Lys Medical (Belgium) โ optical imaging.
- 4 months at UT Twente (Netherlands) โ magnetic and fluorescence testing.
Candidate Profile:
- Masterโs in biomedical/mechanical engineering or physics.
- English required; Italian, French, or Dutch is a plus.
Also Check: PhD, Postdoctoral, and Professor Roles at University of Cambridge 2026
ESR7: Bistability and Structural Design Actuated by Soft Active Matter
Host: ULB (Brussels, Belgium) Supervisors: Prof. Pierre Lambert (main), Dr. Daniele Martella (co)
Project Goal: Design bistable biopsy grippers triggered by active matter (e.g., hydrogels) for olfactory cleft applications.
Expected Results:
- Mechanical design via analytical methods and FEM.
- Fabrication in resin (2PP) or glass (femtosecond laser).
- Force-displacement characterization and integration into catheters.
Secondments:
- 5 months at LENS (Italy) โ active matter development.
- 5 months at Alemnis (Switzerland) โ materials characterization.
Candidate Profile:
- Masterโs in Engineering, Electromechanical, Physical, or Materials Engineering.
- Strong skills in mechanical design, microrobotics, Matlab/Python, CAD.
- English required; French or Italian is a plus.
Also Check: KOICA Fully Funded Scholarship Program Masterโs and Doctoral 2027
ESR8: Sensing the Continuum Robotโs Interaction to the Environment
Host: UMLP (Besanรงon, France) โ FEMTO-ST Supervisors: Prof. Kanty Rabenorosoa (main), Prof. Hugo Daguerre (co)
Project Goal: Develop distributed sensing and tip force sensing for continuum microrobots in middle ear and nasal interventions.
Expected Results:
- Fabrication of distributed and tip force sensors at fiber scale.
- Embedded sensing on sub-mm soft robots.
- Full system experimental validation.
Secondments:
- 1 month clinical at CHUB (France).
- 4 months at UMONS (Belgium) โ sensory materials.
- 3 months at Statice (France) โ nasal validation.
Candidate Profile:
- Masterโs in mechanical, mechatronics, or robotics engineering.
- Skills in multi-physics modeling, CAD, FEM, Matlab/Python.
- English required; French is a plus.
Also Check: KFUPM Scholarships for MS & PhD 2026 in Saudi Arabia (Fully Funded)
ESR9: Development of Microrobotic Catheter Equipped with Grasping at the Tip
Host: UMLP (Besanรงon, France) โ FEMTO-ST Supervisors: Prof. Kanty Rabenorosoa (main), Prof. Wissem Haouas (co)
Project Goal: Integrate microgrippers at the tip of soft robotic catheters (using optical fiber) for biopsy in olfactory clefts.
Expected Results:
- Microgripper fabrication at fiber diameter scale.
- Grasping and microrobot release capabilities.
- Full system experimental validation.
Secondments:
- 4 months at LENS (Italy) โ LCN fabrication.
- 3 months at ULB (Belgium) โ bistable gripper integration.
- 3 months at Lys Medical (Belgium) โ robotic catheter development.
Candidate Profile:
- Same as ESR8 (mechanical/mechatronics/robotics engineering background).
Also Check: Doctoral Programmes in Germany โข DAAD (Fully Funded)
ESR10: Real-Time Tracking of Micro-Robots
Host: University of Twente (Netherlands) โ Surgical Robotics Lab Supervisors: Prof. Sarthak Misra (main), Prof. Kanty Rabenorosoa (co)
Project Goal: Develop miniaturized fluorescence-based real-time tracking for micro-robots in confined biological environments (Eustachian tube focus).
Expected Results:
- Platform for deep-seated micro-robot tracking.
- Integration into endoscopic platforms addressing scattering and SNR challenges.
Secondments:
- 5 months at Lys Medical (Belgium).
- 3 months at UMLP (France).
- 3 months at Statice (France).
Candidate Profile:
- Masterโs in applied physics, biomedical/electrical/mechanical engineering, or robotics.
- Background in optics, image processing, fluorescence microscopy (advantage).
Also Check: PhD Studentships at University of Nottingham, UK 2026
ESR11: Anatomical Phantoms and Test Environment
Host: ULB (Brussels, Belgium) Supervisors: Prof. Pierre Lambert (main), Prof. Marc Vander Ghinst (co, medical)
Project Goal: Develop patient-specific, instrumented anatomical phantoms for testing navigation, biopsy, imaging, etc., across all three pathways.
Expected Results:
- Phantoms for nasal cavities, Eustachian tube, and frontal sinus/cribble plate.
- Multiscale manufacturing with tissue-like properties and cell coatings.
Secondments:
- 6 months at SantโAnna (Italy) โ advanced cell-coated phantoms.
- 4 months at Heteromerge (Germany) โ multi-material printing.
Candidate Profile:
- Masterโs in Engineering (Electromechanical, Physical, Materials, etc.).
- Interest in polymers, manufacturing, CAD, medical applications.
Also Check: Fully Funded PhD Positions at Life Science Zurich Graduate School, Switzerland
ESR12: Design, Synthesis, and Nanoscale Characterization of Materials for Soft Robotics Applications
Host: Empa (Dรผbendorf, Switzerland) / EPFL (Lausanne, Switzerland) Supervisors: Dr. Jakob Schwiedrzik, Prof. Johann Michler
Project Goal: Simulation-guided design and 3D-printing of architectured (meta)materials for soft robotics, with multiscale mechanical characterization.
Expected Results:
- Functional 3D-printed metamaterial designs.
- Characterization setups under various conditions.
- Structure-property-function relationships for SAM3 materials.
Secondments:
- 3 months at ULB (Belgium).
- 3 months at UMONS (Belgium).
- 5 months at Alemnis (Switzerland) โ micromechanical testing.
Candidate Profile:
- Masterโs in materials science or mechanical engineering.
- Strong background in mechanics of materials and simulations (characterization and 3D printing experience is a plus).
Also Check: Technical University of Denmark PhD and Postdoc Scholarships 2026 (Fully Funded)
