Postdoctoral Research Associate in Assistive Robotic Manipulation

Department
The School of Physics, Engineering and Technology unites physicists and engineers to advance knowledge, foster innovation, and meet societal challenges. We deliver world-leading research and develop new technologies for the public good.

Equality, diversity, and inclusion are central to our culture. We strive to provide a supportive and egalitarian working environment where all can flourish. This commitment is recognised by our Juno Champion and Athena Swan silver awards. We also aim to inspire young people through our extensive science and engineering outreach work.

Role
Are you a robotics researcher passionate about creating technology with a direct and positive impact on people's lives? We are seeking a talented and motivated PDRA for two years (with the possibility for a six-month extension) to join a high-profile, BBC-featured project developing the next generation of assistive robots. Funded by Breast Cancer Now, this three-year project will focus on integrating a robotic system with appropriate sensors and designing its movement strategy to support individuals with physical limitations in accessing breast screening.

Driven by a real clinical need, this is a unique opportunity to apply your expertise in robotic manipulation to solve critical challenges in healthcare screening. Your main duties will centre on the design, implementation, and experimental evaluation of cutting-edge robotic manipulation and imitation learning algorithms. You will work hands-on within our state-of-the-art robot-assisted living lab, integrating both software and hardware systems, and using CAD/3D printing for rapid prototyping of bespoke components. A significant part of the role involves close collaboration with our interdisciplinary team of clinicians and safety experts to translate clinical needs into robust solutions. You will be expected to drive the project's technical progress and disseminate your findings through high-impact academic publications.

Skills, Experience & Qualifications Needed

• A PhD in Robotics, Computer Science, Engineering, or a closely related discipline, or equivalent experience.
• Proven research experience and a strong publication record in the field of robotic manipulation.
• Excellent programming skills with proficiency in Python and/or C++.
• Experience with robotics software and middleware, particularly ROS.
• A demonstrable ability to conduct high-quality independent research, from conceptualisation to experimental validation.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with a proven ability to work effectively within a multidisciplinary team.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.

Desirable

• A background and practical experience in imitation learning, learning from demonstration, or related machine learning techniques for robotics.
• Experience with CAD software (e.g., SolidWorks, Fusion 360) and rapid prototyping techniques such as 3D printing.
• Hands-on experience working with physical robot hardware, particularly collaborative robot arms.
• Experience in designing and conducting user studies or human-robot interaction (HRI) experiments.
• A track record of contributing to open-source software projects.
• Experience in supervising or mentoring PhD students.

Interview date: To be confirmed.

For informal enquiries: please contact Jihong Zhu on jihong.zhu@york.ac.uk or pet-admin@york.ac.uk for more details.

The University strives to be diverse and inclusive – a place where we can ALL be ourselves.

We particularly encourage applications from people who identify as Black, Asian or from a Minority Ethnic background, who are underrepresented at the University.

We offer family friendly, flexible working arrangements, with forums and inclusive facilities to support our staff. #EqualityatYork

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