The University of Leeds wishes to recruit outstanding engineering or physical sciences graduates who are interested in embarking on a career in Mechatronics and Robtics or relevant Engineering areas.

An intelligent modular robotic exoskeleton has a wide range of civil and non-civil applications. The spectrum of civil applications ranges from individuals with weak body segments or those suffering from a body part pathology, to the growing aging population, to those requiring rehabilitation, to those involved in heavy duty work such as in the construction industry, to those involved in search and rescue operations after natural and other disasters, and so on. Non-civil applications include the augmentation of the human body for those who work in hostile environments and hence require more power than can be provided by an ordinary individual.

Project aims

The aims of this ambitious project are:

1. To carry out fundamental research towards a modular multipurpose full-body robotic exoskeleton;
2. To design and develop a prototype of a full-body exoskeleton for a specific application as identified in aim 1 in this first stage of the project.

Areas of Research in the project

This is an industrially led project right from the start and a number of Schools in the Faculty of Engineering will be involved in this collaborative project.

The areas of research in this project include:

• Exoskeleton frame hardware system
• Sensor system
• Actuator system
• Electronics, communication and power system
• Control system

Five PhD students will be working in the above areas. Graduates from the areas of Mechatronics, Robotics, Mechanical and Electronic Engineering or any relevant discipline could apply for these PhD positions.

Value: This studentship covers fees of £3,900 and maintenance at the rate of £13,726 per year for 3.5 years.

Due to funding restrictions this studentship is open to UK/EU students only.

This scholarship will begin from September/October 2013 and run for 42 months.

Number of awards: 1

Entry requirements: Applications are invited from candidates with or expecting a First or Upper Second Class Honours Degree (or equivalent) in Engineering (Mechatronics/Robotics Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electronics, Materials Science & Engineering or any relevant dicipline). Interest in mechanical design, sensors, actuators, data acquisition and control systems is desirable.

Applicants will be expected to work in a multidisciplinary environment and work closely with industry. The opportunity will be appropriate for graduates wishing to pursue a career in Mechatronics, Robotics or Medical Engineering. In addition, evidence of high levels of communication and team-working skills are highly desirable.

Supervisor: Dr. Abbas Dehghani, a.dehghani@leeds.ac.uk, +44 (0) 113 343 8000. Informal enquiries welcome.

Application deadline: 31st July 2013. Interviews to be held after the closing date.

Further information: To discuss this project further informally, please contact Dr. Abbas Dehghani, t: +44 (0) 113 343 8000.

How to apply: Formal applications for research degree study should be made on-line through the University's website, via the ‘Apply’ button below. Please state clearly on the funding section of the application form that you wish to be considered for the “Intelligent modular full body robotic exoskeleton project”. In the research information section please use the name: Dr. Abbas Dehghani.

For the research degree of study application, please upload all the documents required as soon as possible. Scanned copies are acceptable though you will need to provide originals or certified copies at registration. These will include your degree certificate(s), transcripts of marks achieved in previous degrees, plus evidence of English language qualifications if your first language is not English and you do not hold a degree from an English-speaking country. Please do not provide school certificates, or non-academic certificates. The Faculty will contact your named academic referees directly.

If you have any questions please contact our Graduate School Office.
e: phd@engineering.leeds.ac.uk
t: +44 (0)113 343 8000

This information has been provided by the above School and all enquiries regarding these awards must be made in the first instance to the contact detailed above.

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