Research Associate in (Semi-)Automation of Robots in Challenging Environments

Job reference: SAE-025003

Salary: £36,024-£44,263 per annum depending on experience

Faculty/Organisational Unit: Science and Engineering

Location: RAICo One, Whitehaven, West Cumbria

Employment type: Fixed Term

Division/Team: Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering

Hours Per Week: Full Time (1 FTE)

Closing date: 04/04/2024

Contract Duration: Fixed Term for 36 months

School/Directorate: School of Engineering

We are looking for a full-time post-doctoral research associate to explore novel control strategies for automation and/or teleoperation of robots in extreme environments, in particular those in uncluttered and constrained environments. You will carry out research on guaranteed-safe technologies using model-based control combined with additional sensorial information that is processed through a machine learning element. Using these technologies, we intend to start with model-based teleoperation strategies to investigate challenges and gather data, progress into assisted-teleoperation through virtual-fixtures/active-constraints and delve into partial/full-automation with additional environment sensing as necessary and when relevant to the application. You will work with physical robot platforms and real field data, both individually and collaboratively, for algorithm development, system integration, field trials, and demonstrations. You will be expected to publish at world-leading refereed conferences and journals and demonstrate research outcomes on real robot platforms.

The role will also require regular contributions to a variety of academic tasks, including positively interacting and communicating with internal and external stakeholders, developing research proposals, management of research projects, supervising Master and PhD students, demonstrating research excellence and leadership to more junior members in the research lab.

Location and Facility

The successful applicant will join The University of Manchester’s team at RAICo One Facility in West Cumbria, where they will have the opportunity to work in close partnership with robotics, control, and AI experts from the University of Manchester, Sellafield Ltd and the UK Atomic Energy Authority. RAICo One is a fully equipped robotics laboratory with state-of-the-art robotic research and development facilities including a wide range of robotic systems and robot test arenas.

What you will get in return:

• Fantastic market leading Pension scheme
• Excellent employee health and wellbeing services including an Employee Assistance Programme
• Exceptional starting annual leave entitlement, plus bank holidays
• Additional paid closure over the Christmas period
• Local and national discounts at a range of major retailers

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

Hybrid working arrangements may be considered.

Please note that we are unable to respond to enquiries, accept CVs or applications from Recruitment Agencies.

Any recruitment enquiries from recruitment agencies should be directed to People.Recruitment@manchester.ac.uk.

Any CVs submitted by a recruitment agency will be considered a gift.

Enquiries about the vacancy, shortlisting and interviews:

Name: Murilo M. Marinho

Email:  murilo.marinho@manchester.ac.uk

General enquiries:

Email: People.recruitment@manchester.ac.uk 

Technical support:

https://jobseekersupport.jobtrain.co.uk/support/home

This vacancy will close for applications at midnight on the closing date.

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