Research Assistant

About the Role

This Research Assistant position is an exciting opportunity to join the Centre for Advanced Robotics at Queen Mary (ARQ) within the School of Engineering and Materials Science. The successful candidate will contribute to the UKRI and EU-funded project PALPABLE, which focuses on developing advanced palpation devices for minimally invasive surgery. Key duties include the design, prototyping, and testing of novel tactile sensors; integration of optical sensing systems for real-time tissue characterization; and close collaboration with a multidisciplinary team of engineers, clinicians, and project partners. The role will also involve disseminating research findings, supporting the preparation of academic publications, and contributing to a positive and inclusive research environment.

About You

The ideal candidate will be currently pursuing a PhD in robotics or a closely related field, and will hold undergraduate and master’s degrees in robotics or a relevant discipline. You should have hands-on experience in the design, prototyping, and experimental testing of sensor systems, with applications in healthcare or minimally invasive surgery. Essential skills include prototyping, system integration, system evaluation, image processing, data analysis, and excellent written and verbal communication. The ability to work both independently and as part of a collaborative, multidisciplinary research team is crucial. Experience with publication writing and industry or clinical collaboration is an advantage.

About the School/Department/Institute/Project

The School of Engineering and Materials Science (SEMS) is a large, research-intensive School within the Faculty of Science and Engineering, comprising over 100 academic staff and a vibrant community of approximately 1,700 undergraduate and taught postgraduate students, alongside more than 150 PhD researchers. The School is supported by a dedicated team of administrative and technical professionals, creating a strong and collaborative higher education environment.

The project PALPABLE, funded by UKRI and the EU, focuses on developing cutting-edge optical-based palpation devices to enhance tissue characterisation in minimally invasive surgical procedures. The project is led by Professor Kaspar Althoefer within the Centre for Advanced Robotics @ Queen Mary (ARQ), a hub for robotics innovation and interdisciplinary collaboration.

About Queen Mary

At Queen Mary University of London, we believe that a diversity of ideas helps us achieve the previously unthinkable.

Throughout our history, we’ve fostered social justice and improved lives through academic excellence. And we continue to live and breathe this spirit today, not because it’s simply ‘the right thing to do’ but for what it helps us achieve and the intellectual brilliance it delivers.

We continue to embrace diversity of thought and opinion in everything we do, in the belief that when views collide, disciplines interact, and perspectives intersect, truly original thought takes form.

Benefits

We offer competitive salaries, access to a generous pension scheme, 30 days’ leave per annum (pro-rata for part-time/fixed-term), a season ticket loan scheme and access to a comprehensive range of personal and professional development opportunities. In addition, we offer a range of work life balance and family friendly, inclusive employment policies, flexible working arrangements, and campus facilities.

Queen Mary’s commitment to our diverse and inclusive community is embedded in our appointments processes. Reasonable adjustments will be made at each stage of the recruitment process for any candidate with a disability. We are open to considering applications from candidates wishing to work flexibly.

Advert information