Fibre-Based Next Generation Magnetic Vine Robots

This fully funded PhD position will reward the successful candidate with an award covering full fees, a maintenance stipend in line with UKRI rates, and a Leeds Institute of Textiles and Colour (LITAC) grant worth 10,000 GBP for personal development and consumables. The successful applicant will have the opportunity to join the PGR community in the School of Design and access training and support for their specialism.

<p>This PhD project will investigate a new manufacturing approach for <em>magnetic vine robots</em>, a recent development in soft robotics inspired by the movement and growth of climbing plants. These flexible, tube-like robots can extend, bend, and steer through narrow and complex spaces, making them well suited for applications such as minimally invasive medical procedures.</p> <p>Current magnetic vine robots are typically fabricated using thin films and membranes that are manually assembled into tubular structures. While these methods have demonstrated feasibility, they limit scalability, precision, and miniaturisation. The goal of this project is to develop and evaluate a fibre-based manufacturing route that enables the creation of ultra-thin, high-performance magnetic vine robots.</p> <p>The research will also investigate how these materials can be shaped and controlled using external magnetic fields, enabling motion and navigation through confined pathways similar to those found within the human body.</p> <p>Soft robotics is an emerging and multidisciplinary field that integrates materials science, mechanical design, and control engineering. Its applications range from industrial automation to healthcare technologies. In medicine, soft robots have the potential to enhance diagnostic and therapeutic access to internal organs while reducing patient discomfort and surgical risks.</p> <p>This dynamic and exciting research opportunity aims to:</p> <ol> <li>Develop, manufacture and characterise novel fibre-based materials suitable for robotic applications. </li> <li>Design and prototype magnetic vine robots using textile and nonwoven manufacturing techniques.</li> <li>Investigate the performance, controllability, and mechanical behaviour of these devices under magnetic actuation. </li> <li>Assess their potential for use in medical and other confined-environment applications.</li> </ol> <p>The outcomes will contribute to the wider understanding of how textile-based fabrication can be applied to soft robotics and may lay the groundwork for future collaborations in medical device development.</p> <p>The successful applicant will join the Leeds Institute of Textiles and Colour (LITAC) a collaborative international research Institute that applies academic expertise, working together with a range of external partners, to address global challenges and sustainable development in textile and colour industries. We are focused on the development of innovative science and technology, materials, methods and processes. </p> <p>The candidate will also join the Science and Technology of Robotics in Medicine (<a href="https://eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fengineering.leeds.ac.uk%2Fstaff%2F863%2FProfessor_Pietro_Valdastri&data=05%7C02%7CG.Grande%40leeds.ac.uk%7Cb83b1e4b66344364823908de130990d2%7Cbdeaeda8c81d45ce863e5232a535b7cb%7C0%7C0%7C638969128979805933%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=q%2B5S7MQYzksbtJlESbVW3GIY1Qf%2BgemRTl9OCkLv540%3D&reserved=0">STORM</a>) Lab (<a href="https://www.stormlabuk.com/">www.stormlabuk.com</a>). The STORM Lab aims to improve the quality of life for patients undergoing soft-tissue surgery and flexible endoscopy by developing miniature, non-invasive robotic systems. The team designs and creates soft, compliant robotic devices that can operate within the human body to detect and treat disease in a minimally invasive manner.</p> <p>The School of Design is a world leading research centre with a focus in creativity and developing innovative materials and manufacturing solutions with interdisciplinary researchers and industrial partners. We have a strong industrial collaboration with UK and international fashion and textiles enterprises. These industrial collaborators will work closely with the PhD student. <br />  </p>

<p paraeid="{8469ccd8-0ef3-4a75-b8c9-44c88326d9ef}{124}" paraid="1407304614"><strong>Duration and Value of the Award </strong></p> <ul> <li paraeid="{8469ccd8-0ef3-4a75-b8c9-44c88326d9ef}{130}" paraid="1413475272">The award provides full academic fees and a maintenance grant (£20,780 in Session 2025/26) for full-time study, part-time will be pro-rata. This amount increases per annum in line with the UKRI rate. Full-time awards provide full fees and maintenance for 3 years.</li> <li paraeid="{8469ccd8-0ef3-4a75-b8c9-44c88326d9ef}{130}" paraid="1413475272">The award will be made for one year in the first instance and renewable for a further period of up to 2 years (pro-rata for part-time), subject to satisfactory academic progress.  </li> <li paraeid="{8469ccd8-0ef3-4a75-b8c9-44c88326d9ef}{130}" paraid="1413475272">The LITAC Scholarship includes an additional £10K, spread over the period of study; to cover outcome dissemination, personal development aligned with the PhD research, and research consumables.</li> <li paraeid="{8469ccd8-0ef3-4a75-b8c9-44c88326d9ef}{130}" paraid="1413475272">Please be aware that any expenses related to the relocation of international students to the UK (visa, insurance, NHS fees, flights, etc) would be their responsibility and is not covered by this award. </li> </ul> <p><strong>Eligibility Criteria</strong></p> <p>Applicants must be eligible to pay fees at the Home (UK) rate.</p> <p paraeid="{8469ccd8-0ef3-4a75-b8c9-44c88326d9ef}{182}" paraid="849605484"><strong>Other Conditions </strong></p> <ul role="list"> <li paraeid="{8469ccd8-0ef3-4a75-b8c9-44c88326d9ef}{188}" paraid="1387149797">Awards must be taken up by 1 October 2026.</li> <li paraeid="{8469ccd8-0ef3-4a75-b8c9-44c88326d9ef}{188}" paraid="1387149797">Candidates who have previously been awarded a PhD or are currently registered on a PhD are excluded from applying. Those who were previously studying for a PhD but did not complete may be considered.</li> <li paraeid="{8469ccd8-0ef3-4a75-b8c9-44c88326d9ef}{188}" paraid="1387149797">The awards are available for new Postgraduate Researchers undertaking full-time or part-time research study leading to the degree of PhD. </li> <li paraeid="{8469ccd8-0ef3-4a75-b8c9-44c88326d9ef}{188}" paraid="1387149797">Applicants must live within a reasonable distance of the University of Leeds whilst in receipt of this scholarship, it is expected that researchers will be based on campus for a significant portion of each week. </li> </ul> <p><strong>Selection Process</strong></p> <ul> <li>The deadline to be considered for this LITAC scholarship is Friday 27th February. Before you can apply for this scholarship, you will need to apply for your study place and have your 9-digit student identification number. We strongly advise you to submit your study application at least 2 weeks before the scholarship deadline to allow the Admissions team time to process your application.</li> <li>All scholarship applications will be considered after the deadline. Only complete applications will be considered.</li> <li>The final list of awards are based on academic merit and no other factors such as financial hardship are taken into account.</li> <li>Please note that whilst you may be successful in securing an academic offer for any project specifically linked to this funding opportunity, this does not mean that you have been successful in securing an offer of funding. Funding is awarded on a competitive basis.</li> </ul>

<p><strong>Stage 1</strong></p> <p>First, apply for a research place of study through the<a href="https://prod.banner.leeds.ac.uk/ssb/bwskalog_uol.P_DispLoginNon"> online application form</a>. Please state clearly that the funding you wish to be considered for is the ‘Fibre-Based Next Generation Magnetic Vine Robots’ LITAC project. You will be expected to meet our <a href="https://ahc.leeds.ac.uk/design-research-degrees/doc/apply-9">eligibility criteria</a> for PhD candidates. </p> <p>In order to be considered for this project, you must submit all the required <a href="https://ahc.leeds.ac.uk/design-research-degrees/doc/apply-9">supporting documents</a> for your application for PhD study by the deadline. Any study applications that are not accompanied by the documents requested by the deadline will not be considered for the award. </p> <p>Once you have received your student ID number (a 9-digit number), move onto stage 2.</p> <p><strong>Stage 2</strong></p> <p>Apply for the ‘Fibre-Based Next Generation Magnetic Vine Robots’ LITAC project by completing the <a href="https://app.onlinesurveys.jisc.ac.uk/s/leeds/litac-scholarship-fibre-based-next-generation-magnetic-vine-rob">online scholarship application form</a>. You must submit your scholarship application by <strong>5pm UK time on Friday 27th February 2026.</strong></p> <ul> <li>Please note that an unsuccessful application for this scholarship does not exclude you from applying for other research study opportunities or scholarships offered by the University of Leeds.</li> <li>Please note that, due to the large volume of applications, the University of Leeds will not enter into any correspondence regarding the progress of an application until after the outcome is known.</li> <li>If English is not your first language, you must provide evidence that you meet the minimum English language requirements (below).</li> </ul> <p><em>As an international research-intensive university, we welcome students from all walks of life and from across the world. We foster an inclusive environment where all can flourish and proposer, and we are proud of our strong commitment to student education. We are dedicated to diversifying our community and we welcome the unique contributions that individuals can bring, and particularly encourage applications from, but not limited to Black, Asian and other people who belong to a minority ethnic community, people who identify as LGBT+, and people with disabilities. Applicants will always be selected based on merit and ability.</em></p>

We invite applications from candidates with a strong interest in soft robotics, materials science, or advanced manufacturing. Suitable backgrounds include: Mechanical, materials, or biomedical engineering, robotics or mechatronics, or polymer science, textiles, or applied physics.<br /> <br /> Applicants should hold (or expect to obtain) a first-class or upper second-class honours degree and ideally a relevant master’s qualification. Good experimental and analytical skills, along with an ability to work across disciplines, are essential.<br />

The minimum English language entry requirement for research postgraduate research study in the School of Design is an IELTS of 6.5 overall with at least 6.0 in each component (reading, writing, listening and speaking) or equivalent. The test must be dated within two years of the start date of the course in order to be valid.

<p>For further information please contact the Admissions Office at ahcpgradmissions@leeds.ac.uk.</p>