Postdoctoral Research Fellow

This new full-time post is available immediately on a 12-month fixed-term basis.

The post
The Faculty wishes to recruit a Postdoctoral Research Fellow to support the work of Prof Chris Edwards and Prof Halim Alwi. This ARIA funded post is available immediately for 12 months. The successful applicant will support the prototype development of a next-generation pneumatic artificial muscle (PAM). Air muscles offer numerous benefits for achieving dexterous robots that are safer for interaction with humans and delicate objects, but further progress is needed. The project team will develop a novel stacked arrangement that offers high-strength precision grip, positional precision, and force feedback, beyond contemporary soft robotic muscles. This unique approach uses contact forces imparted along overbraided sleeves to allow precise control through internal pressure variations.

This post will be focussed on developing, deploying and testing control strategies to facilitate the virtual and prototype testing for single and multiple bladders which form the basis of the pneumatic artificial muscle. The tests will seek to demonstrate increasing functional complexity and will determine the suitability of the control strategies in terms of implementation feasibility and fault tolerance. The post holder will also support the physical testing of the PAM at the end of the project.

About you
The successful applicant will be able to develop research objectives, projects and proposals; identify sources of research funding and contribute to the process of securing funds and make presentations at conferences and other events.

Applicants will possess a relevant PhD or equivalent qualification/experience in a related field of study. The successful applicant will be a nationally recognised authority and possess sufficient specialist knowledge in the discipline to develop research programmes and methodologies. The successful applicant will also be able to work collaboratively, supervise the work of others and act as team leader as required. Applicants should:

• Possess strong MATLAB/Simulink skills.
• Demonstrate a good knowledge of modern control design methods and signal processing.
• Have relevant experience of implementing control systems.
• Be able to work independently and also as part of a team.

Please ensure you read the Job Description and Person Specification (available on the university's website, accessed by the 'Apply' button) for full details of this role.

What we can offer you

• Freedom (and the support) to pursue your intellectual interests and to work creatively across disciplines to produce internationally exciting research.
• Support teams that understand the University wide research and teaching goals and partner with our academics accordingly.
• An Innovation, Impact and Business directorate that works closely with our academics providing specialist support for external engagement and development.
• Our Exeter Academic initiative supporting high performing academics to achieve their potential and develop their career.
• A multitude of staff benefits including sector leading benefits around maternity, adoption and shared parental leave (up to 26 weeks full pay), Paternity leave (up to 6 weeks full pay), and a Fertility Treatment Policy.
• A beautiful campus set in the heart of stunning Devon.

Further information
For further information please contact Prof Halim Alwi, e-mail h.alwi@exeter.ac.uk or telephone (01392) 723661.

Interviews are expected to take place on Friday, 4 July 2025.

We welcome applications from candidates interested in working part-time hours or job-sharing arrangements.

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