Doctorado en Robotica - Swarm Engineering - Tufts University in Boston, USA
Lucas Hirsch
The Nemitz Robotics Group is recruiting a new Ph.D. student (starting Fall 2026) to join our team in advancing the design, fabrication, and control of crab-inspired amphibious swarm robots. The research integrates bio-inspired design, multi-material additive manufacturing, reinforcement learning, and distributed control to enable the scalable deployment of soft, hybrid robotic systems capable of terrestrial and underwater operation. The ultimate objective is to design and fabricate a swarm of 1,000 autonomous robots. Close collaboration with biologists will inform gait analysis, morphology, and collective behaviors. The position is fully funded and open to US and non-US citizens.
- Design, fabricate, and experimentally characterize crab‑inspired robotic prototypes using multi‑material 3D printing and related processes.
- Conduct behavioral studies with live crabs in collaboration with biologists; translate insights into robot morphology and control.
- Implement fluidic components and distributed control schemes; perform system‑level validation in lab and benchtop aquatic settings.
- Execute mechanical and materials testing (e.g., tensile, rheology, durability) to inform iterative design.
- Develop a reproducible, “single‑click” fabrication and assembly pipeline using robotic arms and automation.
- Lead motion‑tracking studies and field‑adjacent deployments; manage data collection and analysis.
- Contribute to manuscript preparation and dissemination at top venues.
Required Qualifications (Candidates may meet multiple of the following):
- B.S. or M.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Materials Science, or a closely related field.
- Proficiency with CAD (e.g., SolidWorks, Fusion 360, Onshape).
- Proficiency in programming (e.g., C++, Micropython/C, G-code, ROS2, CUDA).
- Experience with multiphysics simulation and modeling for structural, thermal, or fluid flow problems (e.g., COMSOL Multiphysics, ANSYS, Abaqus, SolidWorks Simulation, Autodesk CFD, PyBullet, MuJoCo, NVIDIA Isaac Sim).
- Demonstrated hands‑on skills in 3D printing and either CNC or manual machining.
- Strong foundation in mechanism design, materials, and fabrication processes.
- Experience with robot arms and automation workflows.
- Evidence of initiative, independence, and effective project management in research settings.
- Record of scholarly communication, including at least one peer‑reviewed publication or equivalent research output.
- Background in soft robotics, bio‑inspired design, or swarm/collective systems.
- Experience with amphibious or underwater mechatronic systems and fluidic actuation.
- Prior work with motion capture and quantitative gait analysis.
Applicants should apply directly to the Tufts University Department of Mechanical Engineering Ph.D. program. Materials sent directly to Prof. Nemitz cannot be considered outside the official admissions process.
Program details and application instructions: PhD | Department of Mechanical Engineering
- Anticipated start: Fall 2026
- Location: On‑site, Tufts University, Medford, MA
Nemitz Robotics Group
Mechanical Engineering Department, Tufts University
Research page: https://sites.tufts.edu/nemitz/
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Markus P. Nemitz, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor, Mechanical Engineering
Affiliate Faculty, Computer Science
Tufts University
Research page: https://sites.tufts.edu/nemitz