Research Associate - Soft Haptic Systems
Posted date [2026-09-20]
(ID: 52153)
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Job Description and Requirements
Research Associate - Soft Haptic SystemsJob Snapshot
Role: Research Associate - Soft Haptic Systems
Location: Abu Dhabi, UAE
Industry: Higher Education
Function: Research
Experience: Within first 5 years post-PhD or 3-5 years of relevant industry Research and Development experience
Job Type: Full Time
Position Overview
New York University Abu Dhabi is seeking a Research or Postdoctoral Associate to join the Applied Interactive Multimedia laboratory in the Division of Engineering in Abu Dhabi, UAE. The position focuses on the design, development, and validation of materials, control systems, and algorithms for next-generation soft haptic actuators and interactive experiences. The researcher will work closely with material science collaborators and contribute technologies for digital twin and soft robot-assisted simulations involving brain-machine interaction, wearable haptics, and rehabilitation.
Job Details
Country: UAE
City: Abu Dhabi
Industry: Higher Education
Function: Research
Salary: Not disclosed
Gender: No Preference
Candidate Nationality: Not specified
Job Type: Full
Time
Work Arrangement: On-site
Research Focus
The successful candidate will lead experimental and technical work on next-generation soft haptic technologies. Research will combine actuator development, materials, control systems, algorithms, rapid prototyping, and interactive system design.
A significant component of the position involves collaboration with researchers in material science. Technologies emerging from this work will be applied to digital twin and soft robot-assisted simulation environments, with applications spanning brain-machine interaction, wearable haptics, and rehabilitation.
Key Responsibilities
* Lead the design, development, and validation of next-generation soft haptic actuators and experiences.
* Develop and evaluate materials, control systems, and algorithms supporting soft haptic technologies.
* Conduct extensive on-site laboratory work.
* Build laboratory systems and rapidly prototype novel proof-of-concept technologies.
* Design and test experimental haptic systems.
* Collaborate closely with material science researchers on multidisciplinary research.
* Contribute technologies for digital twin and soft robot-assisted simulations.
* Support research applications involving brain-machine interaction, wearable haptics, and rehabilitation.
* Apply critical thinking and systematic problem-solving throughout experimental development and validation.
* Work collaboratively with researchers across engineering and related disciplines.
Required Qualifications and Experience
Candidates should meet one of the stated academic or professional experience pathways:
* PhD in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Materials Engineering, or a related field; or
* 3-5 years of relevant industry experience in Research and Development.
For candidates applying through the postdoctoral pathway, the PhD must have been received within the previous five years.
Applicants should also demonstrate:
* Significant experience with haptic technologies.
* Hands-on experience with laboratory building and rapid prototyping of novel proof-of-concept systems.
* Ability and willingness to undertake extensive on-site laboratory work.
* Strong critical-thinking and problem-solving capabilities.
* Ability to work effectively as part of a research team.
* Good communication skills.
* Proficiency in English.
Research Environment
The Applied Interactive Multimedia laboratory provides a multidisciplinary research setting connecting engineering, interactive technologies, haptics, material science, and emerging applications in human-machine interaction.
The successful candidate will have the opportunity to translate advances in soft haptic actuators and control technologies into experimental systems relevant to digital twins, wearable interfaces, soft robotics, and rehabilitation research.
Application Requirements
Applicants must submit the following materials in PDF format:
* Cover letter.
* Curriculum Vitae with a complete publication list.
* Statement of research interests.
* One letter of reference.
* Academic transcript.
Applications are accepted immediately, and candidates will be considered until the position is filled.
Employment and Benefits
NYU Abu Dhabi describes the terms of employment as competitive. Source-listed benefits include:
* Housing support.
* Educational subsidies for children.
UAE nationals are encouraged to apply.
About New York University Abu Dhabi
New York University Abu Dhabi is a degree-granting research university with an integrated liberal arts and sciences undergraduate program spanning the Arts, Sciences, Social Sciences, Humanities, and Engineering.
Together with NYU New York and NYU Shanghai, NYU Abu Dhabi forms part of NYU\'s global university network. The Abu Dhabi campus serves as a center for advanced research, knowledge creation, scholarly collaboration, and academic activity within an international and multidisciplinary environment.
Work Arrangement: On-site
Research Focus
The successful candidate will lead experimental and technical work on next-generation soft haptic technologies. Research will combine actuator development, materials, control systems, algorithms, rapid prototyping, and interactive system design.
A significant component of the position involves collaboration with researchers in material science. Technologies emerging from this work will be applied to digital twin and soft robot-assisted simulation environments, with applications spanning brain-machine interaction, wearable haptics, and rehabilitation.
Key Responsibilities
* Lead the design, development, and validation of next-generation soft haptic actuators and experiences.
* Develop and evaluate materials, control systems, and algorithms supporting soft haptic technologies.
* Conduct extensive on-site laboratory work.
* Build laboratory systems and rapidly prototype novel proof-of-concept technologies.
* Design and test experimental haptic systems.
* Collaborate closely with material science researchers on multidisciplinary research.
* Contribute technologies for digital twin and soft robot-assisted simulations.
* Support research applications involving brain-machine interaction, wearable haptics, and rehabilitation.
* Apply critical thinking and systematic problem-solving throughout experimental development and validation.
* Work collaboratively with researchers across engineering and related disciplines.
Required Qualifications and Experience
Candidates should meet one of the stated academic or professional experience pathways:
* PhD in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Materials Engineering, or a related field; or
* 3-5 years of relevant industry experience in Research and Development.
For candidates applying through the postdoctoral pathway, the PhD must have been received within the previous five years.
Applicants should also demonstrate:
* Significant experience with haptic technologies.
* Hands-on experience with laboratory building and rapid prototyping of novel proof-of-concept systems.
* Ability and willingness to undertake extensive on-site laboratory work.
* Strong critical-thinking and problem-solving capabilities.
* Ability to work effectively as part of a research team.
* Good communication skills.
* Proficiency in English.
Research Environment
The Applied Interactive Multimedia laboratory provides a multidisciplinary research setting connecting engineering, interactive technologies, haptics, material science, and emerging applications in human-machine interaction.
The successful candidate will have the opportunity to translate advances in soft haptic actuators and control technologies into experimental systems relevant to digital twins, wearable interfaces, soft robotics, and rehabilitation research.
Application Requirements
Applicants must submit the following materials in PDF format:
* Cover letter.
* Curriculum Vitae with a complete publication list.
* Statement of research interests.
* One letter of reference.
* Academic transcript.
Applications are accepted immediately, and candidates will be considered until the position is filled.
Employment and Benefits
NYU Abu Dhabi describes the terms of employment as competitive. Source-listed benefits include:
* Housing support.
* Educational subsidies for children.
UAE nationals are encouraged to apply.
About New York University Abu Dhabi
New York University Abu Dhabi is a degree-granting research university with an integrated liberal arts and sciences undergraduate program spanning the Arts, Sciences, Social Sciences, Humanities, and Engineering.
Together with NYU New York and NYU Shanghai, NYU Abu Dhabi forms part of NYU\'s global university network. The Abu Dhabi campus serves as a center for advanced research, knowledge creation, scholarly collaboration, and academic activity within an international and multidisciplinary environment.
