Intern or Student Assistant (HiWi) f/m/div

The Robotic Materials Department at the Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems aims to fundamentally challenge the current limitations of robotic hardware, using an interdisciplinary approach that synergizes concepts from soft matter physics and chemistry with advanced engineering technologies to devise robotic materials that enable the creation of intelligent machines that mimic the astonishing capabilities of organisms in nature.

One of their central goals is the development of new classes of actuators – a key component of all robotic systems – that replicate the sweeping success of biological muscle, a masterpiece of evolution featuring astonishing all-around actuation performance, the ability to self-heal after damage, and seamless integration with distributed sensing. Their fundamental research aims to allow practical applications for soft robotic systems that span from industrial automation, over medical and wearable robotics to new types of human-machine interfaces.

Roles & Responsibilities

Your task is to support the open sourcing of an innovative research toolkit that bridges electrical and mechanical systems in robotic systems. This role offers a unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience with cutting-edge hardware and software systems while immersing yourself in active robotics research.

Possible tasks include:

• Documentation of Device Development: You will refactor source code, organize CAD and PCB files, create parts lists, and compile all necessary resources to ensure that other researchers can easily access and reproduce the devices.
• Creation of User Instructions: You will develop user-friendly how-to guides, including step-by step manuals and video tutorials, to support others in using the toolkit.
• Optimization of Hardware and Software: While documenting and creating manuals, you may uncover bugs, missing features, or new ideas. You are encouraged not only to fix issues but also to implement improvements and contribute your own ideas to enhance the system.

Education & Experience

The Robotics Materials Department is seeking talented students pursuing a Bachelor or Master of Science in robotics (Robotik), mechanical engineering (Maschinenbau), mechatronics (Mechatronik), control system (Regelkreis), electrical engineering (Elektrotechnik), computer science (Informatik), or related fields to support their research as student research assistants (HiWis) or interns.

Applicants should:

• have high motivation.
• be pursuing a bachelor’s or master’s degree.
• be currently enrolled in a German university (only for HiWis).
• want to work in an international and interdisciplinary research group.
• have good oral and written communication skills in English.
• be able to work on-site at the Max-Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems in Stuttgart, Germany.

They highly value applicants with experience in any of the following areas:

• Experience in mechatronics (integration of hardware and software systems)
• CAD designing (Solidworks, Fusion)
• Programming (Python, Matlab)
• Embedded systems (Arduino, ESP32, STM32)
• PCB design (Autodesk, Eagle)
• Control system (PID controller, digital filter)
• Video editing (Adobe Premiere Pro)
• Problem-solving skills in troubleshooting mechatronic systems
• Signal processing and data analysis derived from real-world experimental data

Their offer

For an Internship: Students will be paid €2174 (gross) per month for a full-time internship if the internship is voluntary, i.e., not required by the study program of the student.

For Student Assistants (HiWis): Students without a bachelor's degree will be paid €13,80 per hour. Students with a bachelor's degree will be paid €14,40 per hour. Working time: up to 20 hours per week. Contracts are given per semester.

Application

Applications should be uploaded in a single PDF and include a CV, a short motivation letter (why are you interested in this position/research?), current transcripts of BSc/MSc studies, and optionally other documentation helpful to evaluate your background. Please upload your application via their application portal.

For further questions please contact Toshihiko Fukushima via fukushima@is.mpg.de.

Starting as soon as possible. The posting is open until filled or no longer needed. Preference will be given to applications received before 30.04.2025.

The Max Planck Society is committed to increasing the number of individuals with disabilities in its workforce and therefore encourages applications from such qualified individuals. The Max Planck Society strives for gender equality and diversity. Furthermore, the Max Planck Society seeks to increase the number of women in its workforce in those areas where they are underrepresented and therefore explicitly encourages women to apply.