Job description
1 Ph.D. students:
‘Closed-Loop Embedded MEMS-based Precision Stage’ (CLEMPS).

The CLEMPS project is a collaboration between two research groups, each having one Ph.D student. One Ph.D student will focus on the overall mechatronic design of the system,(this vacancy has been fulfilled the other Ph.D. student will focus on the clean room fabrication and the design of a nm resolution MEMS-based sensor. The project involves a close collaboration with two industrial companies DEMCON, for advanced mechatronics and FEI, manufacturer of electron microscopes.

Background of the project
In the future precision manipulation of small objects will become increasingly important. At the same time there is a need for small manipulators for precision manipulation of small objects, justifying MEMS-based precision manipulators. Applications are probe-based data storage, micro read/write heads of pick-up units for data storage, micro-assembly, manipulation of samples in microscopes, AFM manipulators, nano indentors en optical beam path manipulation (beamers, mask less lithography).
Analysis of biological samples by Transmission Electron Microscopes is becoming increasingly important. However the contrast of the resulting image is relatively low. The contrast can be increased by several electron-optical devices which require small aperture-like objects (diameters of 0.5 to 50µm), which need to be manipulated into the electron beam at nm resolution. Therefore nm resolution manipulation positioning modules are required. Because the manipulator is mounted at the tip of a beam, the manipulator needs to be < 50 mm3.
In this project a small MEMS-based precision manipulator for aperture manipulation will be developed with closed-loop feedback.

Requirements
University Graduate
Profile
You have a MSc degree (or equivalent) in mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, mechatronics or applied physics with a strong interest in (precision) designing. Experience in design principles, mechatronics and micro systems technology would be an added value. The ideal candidate is a strong team player that has the ability to effectively cooperate with other researchers within the multi-disciplinary team. You have excellent communication skills, particularly in written and spoken Dutch and English.

Organization
University of Twente Faculteit Construerende Technische Wetenschappen
Sharing knowledge, working together, research, innovation. It is all part of the only campus university in the Netherlands: the University of Twente (UT). A university with an international character. We have for example many foreign doctoral students, and master programmes are provided in English. Divided over 5 faculties, we provide more than 50 Bachelor and Master programmes, varying from Applied Physics and Public Administration to Applied Communication Science and Biomedical Technology. In beautiful green surroundings, more than 8000 students and 2700 staff live, work and recreate at the UT. It is also a place where talented people get every opportunity to perform cutting edge research. But as an entrepreneurial university this is not all we do. In ‘Kennispark’, for example, we work together with the business community, we support our students in setting up their own businesses and participate in many projects in the area of knowledge development. In brief, a dynamic climate in which to work and study.

Binnen de Faculteit Construerende Technische Wetenschappen worden – naast opleidingen op het gebied van Werktuigbouwkunde en Industrieel Ontwerpen – twee opleidingen aangeboden op het gebied van Civiele Techniek: een bacheloropleiding Civiele Techniek en een masteropleiding Civil Engineering & Management. In september a.s. komt daar de 3TU masteropleiding Construction Management & Engineering bij. Bovendien wordt de mogelijkheid onderzocht om het aanbod van bacheloropleidingen van de faculteit CTW te verbreden. Kenmerk van alle programma’s civiele techniek aan de UT is de uitgebreide aandacht die besteed wordt aan ook de niet-technische aspecten (bestuurskundig, bedrijfskundig e.d.) van de ontwikkeling en instandhouding van civieltechnische infrastructuur.

Conditions of employment
Estimated maximum salary per month: eur 2500 - 3000

Maximum salary amount in Euro’s a month 2558
Employment basis: Temporary for specified period
Duration of the contract: 4 years
Maximum hours per week: 38

Additional conditions of employment:
Offer
We offer an interesting temporary research position in a dynamic and multidisciplinary environment in close collaboration with the companies FEI and DEMCON.
The Ph.D. candidate will be appointed for a period of four years. After one year a project evaluation will take place, and a decision will be made about the continuation of the project. The salary starts at €2.000 gross per month increasing to €2.558 gross per month in the fourth year.

Additional Information
Additional information about the vacancy can be obtained from:

dr.ir. Leon Abelmann
E-mail address: l.abelmann@utwente.nl

Or additional information can be obtained through one of the following links.

* About the organization
* About the department
* About the function
* Mechanical Automation and Mechatronics

Application
You can apply for this job before 05-10-2008 by sending your application to:

University of Twente
CTW
prof.ir. D. Brouwer
postbus 217
7500 AE Enschede

E-mail address: personeelszaken@ctw.utwente.nl

When applying for this job always mention the vacancy number AT/08/059