Research Associate in Vibration Control for Manipulators

The University of Manchester's (UoM) Control Systems & Robotics (CSR) group within the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering has a history of 60 years with significant contributions to the theory and practice of control systems. One of the group's current most impactful research areas is in Robotics for Extreme Conditions and specifically in nuclear decommissioning. This research theme has been extremely successful in bringing in major research investment and activity into the Department/School/Faculty and propelling the University of Manchester to the forefront of robotics engineering research nationally.

The current research project builds upon recent successes in developing control system approaches for vibration suppression in manipulators mounted on flexible boom structures, https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7173272895173947392. Led by the University of Manchester's academic team and in collaboration with Sellafield, this one-year project aims to advance the field by developing novel control algorithms to suppress vibrations at the manipulator's end effector during various decommissioning tasks.

The project will be conducted at our RAICo1 labs in Whitehaven, Cumbria, https://www.linkedin.com/company/raicouk , to work within a growing robotics research group of the University of Manchester: three academic members of staff, two research managers and attached post-doctoral and PhD researchers are stationed in Whitehaven. Within RAICo1, the UoM-team is closely working with the other stakeholders UK Atomic Energy Authority and Sellafield Ltd, and their staff stationed at RAICo1 and in Whitehaven.

For this post, the candidate will be stationed at our new RAICo1 labs in Whitehaven, Cumbria. The primary purpose of this postdoctoral position is to contribute to the advancement of robotics engineering research by developing and implementing advanced control algorithms for vibration suppression in robotic manipulators.

The project will utilize a practical test rig to emulate scenarios involving manipulators on a low-mass mobile platform or a long-reach slender boom, mirroring conditions encountered in decommissioning tasks. The successful candidate will work closely with the UOM's academic team to set-up the manipulator system with flexible base, to implement, test and demonstrate control algorithms for the above-mentioned manipulator system on a flexible base. The candidate will be able to take advantage of the UOM team’s knowledge of system modelling and control design which will be an integral step in the project.

A vital part of the project will be to engage current and possible future industrial partners but also other high impact organizations, which facilitate research and development in close connection with industry for fast knowledge transfer.

This position is available now for at first a period of up to 10 months, while given demonstrable results and success of the project, the extension of the post beyond that period is expected. To allow for an efficient start, the candidate is ideally in the UK, has finished their PhD (i.e., thesis submitted, awaiting PhD-viva or a status beyond).

As an equal opportunities employer, we welcome applicants from all sections of the community regardless of age, sex, gender (or gender identity), ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation and transgender status. All appointments are made on merit.

Our University is positive about flexible working – you can find out more here.

Enquiries about the vacancy, shortlisting and interviews:
Name: Guido Herrmann
Email: guido.herrmann@manchester.ac.uk

Name: Anthony Siming Chen
Email: siming.chen@manchester.ac.uk

Further particulars including job description and person specification are available on the University of Manchester website - click on the 'Apply' button above to find out more.

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