About the Project
This project is one of a number in competition for a studentship from the Faculty of Engineering and Design at the University of Bath. If successful, this studentship is expected to commence 04 October 2027.
An alternative start date may be possible if agreed with your intended supervisors and the Doctoral College.
Project Background:
Minimally invasive interventions have transformed medical procedures by reducing patient trauma and recovery time compared with conventional open surgery. Robotic technologies have further advanced these procedures by enhancing surgical precision, stability, and dexterity [1]. These robotic tools are increasingly moving towards smaller and more flexible instruments capable of accessing confined and difficult-to-reach regions of the human body. While miniaturisation increases their reach, it often comes at the cost of functionality and dexterity [2]. At the sub-millimetre scale, conventional actuation and transmission mechanisms become difficult to integrate, limiting available tools to relatively simple functions. Developing miniaturised, dexterous end-effectors capable of multi-degrees-of-freedom (DoF) manipulation could enable a new generation of minimally invasive tools combining small-scale access with complex tissue interaction.
This PhD research will focus on developing multi-fingered, multi-DoF microrobotic end-effectors at the tip of endoscopes for minimally invasive interventions. The research will build on previous work within the group on optothermal (i.e., optically activated using laser heating) microjoints [3] and multi-DoF optothermal microgrippers [4]. The main objectives are: 1) to design multi-DoF microrobots resembling human-like dexterity by integrating multiple optothermal microjoints and microactuators while maintaining a small footprint (<1 mm); and 2) to develop a control architecture based on spatial light modulation using devices such as a digital micromirror array, enabling spatiotemporally precise delivery of optical power and independent control of multiple optothermal microactuators arranged in complex 3D geometries. This objective will also include developing control strategies to coordinate individual joint deflections into dexterous robotic behaviours, including grasping, retraction, in-hand manipulation, and fine positioning. Both open- and closed-loop control approaches will be investigated, with emphasis on real-time implementation. Finally, the developed device will be tested in human phantoms to validate its ability to access highly confined spaces and perform dexterous key surgical manoeuvres such as navigation and tissue stabilisation.
The project will leverage Bath's advanced microfabrication facilities, including high-resolution two-photon polymerisation (NanoOne Bio), cleanroom facilities for metal deposition, and expertise in custom multicore optical-fibre fabricatio. The outcomes will contribute to a new generation of small-scale medical robots, enabling new approaches to minimally invasive diagnosis and intervention.
Candidate requirements:
Applicants must have, or be about to obtain, a UK Honours degree 1st or 2.1, or international equivalent. A master's level qualification would also be advantageous.
Applicants should have a background in mechanical, electrical, or biomedical engineering, robotics, or a closely related discipline, with a strong interest in robotics and experimental research. Some programming experience is expected, and experience in control systems, microfabrication, optics, or microrobotics would be highly advantageous.
Non-UK applicants, who are not currently studying in the UK, must meet the programme's English language requirement before the application deadline – no exceptions will be considered.
Informal enquiries are encouraged. Direct these to Dr Belal Ahmad.
Please follow the below instructions carefully.
You must make a formal application via the University of Bath's online application form for a PhD in Mechanical Engineering.
Please note that you can apply for a maximum of two PhD projects on this programme.
In the 'Funding Your Studies' section, you must select 'University of Bath URSA' from one of the drop-down menus.
In the 'Your PhD project' section, you must quote the project title in the PhD project title field, and you must quote the lead supervisor's name in the field 'Name of intended supervisor at University of Bath.'
If you are applying for two projects, you must quote the project title for your second choice project in the field 'Project 2 Title' and the lead supervisor's name in 'Name of intended supervisor for 2nd choice project at University of Bath.
You must ensure that you follow the above steps correctly. Failure to complete these steps will cause errors in the automated processing of your application and may mean that you are not considered for a particular project.
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
We value a diverse research environment and strive to be an inclusive university, where difference is celebrated and respected. We encourage applications from under-represented groups.
If you have circumstances that you feel we should be aware of that have affected your educational attainment, then please feel free to tell us about it in your application form. The best way to do this is a short paragraph at the end of your personal statement.
The Disability Service ensures that individuals with disabilities are provided the support that they need. If you state if your application that you have a disability, the Disability Service will contact you as part of this process to discuss your needs.
Keywords
Microrobotics; Medical robotics; Minimally invasive surgery; Endoscopic robotics; Control systems; Microactuators; Microfabrication; Optothermal actuation; Spatial light modulation; Optical fibres; Dexterous manipulation
Funding Notes
Applicants will be considered for a studentship. The Faculty of Engineering and Design at the University of Bath has studentships available for Home and Overseas students. However, in line with UKRI policy, the number of studentships available to Overseas students are capped. Studentships cover tuition fees, provide a £1k per annum training support fee, and a maintenance stipend (£21,805 2026/27 rate). International students will be required to cover the cost of a Student visa and Immigration Health Surcharge from personal funds.
References
[1] Peters, Brian S., et al. "Review of emerging surgical robotic technology." Surgical endoscopy 32.4 (2018): 1636-1655.
[2] Gutiérrez, Carlos E. Díaz, Víctor Eduardo Quiroz Velázquez, and Roemi Fernández. "Distal mechanisms in robotic surgical instruments: a structured review of surgical access, miniaturisation constraints and procedure-specific performance trade-offs." Journal of Robotic Surgery 20.1 (2026): 972.
[3] Ahmad, Belal, et al. "Remotely actuated optothermal robotic microjoints based on spiral bimaterial design." IEEE/ASME Transactions on Mechatronics 27.5 (2022): 4090-4100.
[4] Chen, Kaiwen, Alex J. Thompson, and Belal Ahmad. "Multi-DoF Optothermal Microgripper for Micromanipulation Applications." IEEE Robotics and Automation Letters 10.4 (2025): 4061-4068.