Research Assistant in Sensing

About the Role
The Research Assistant will support on-going tasks within ERC Synergy project EndoTheranostics investigating the design, fabrication and operation of inflatable structures. The role is highly hands‑on, and work will be conducted in the Robotics Lab of the Centre for Advanced Robotics at Queen Mary. The work involves experimental research, analysis, dissemination, and collaboration across the project team.

About You
You will hold an Undergraduate and/or MSc Degree (or equivalent) in Mechanical Engineering, Robotics, Bioengineering, Biorobotics or a related field. You will hold a PhD degree in Robotics or are currently undertaking PhD studies in Robotics (or similar field), with a strong background in tactile sensing and soft robotics. A good knowledge and experience in the design, fabrication and operation of grippers and tactile sensors is essential.

You will have experience in prototyping robotic structures, including experimental design, setup, and execution. You should demonstrate strong problem‑solving skills, proficiency in report writing. Familiarity with programming, data acquisition or signal processing is desirable.

Strong communication and teamwork skills are essential, as the role involves collaboration with colleagues at Queen Mary University of London, King’s College London, University of Turin and the University of Naples in the framework of ERC Synergy project EndoTheranostics. You should be able to work independently, manage your time effectively, and contribute positively to a collaborative research environment.

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, offering a dynamic and interdisciplinary research environment. SEMS is ranked 7th overall in the UK for research excellence in REF2021 and 2nd nationally for world‑leading research outputs.

With over £35 million invested in recent years, the School benefits from extensive state‑of‑the‑art experimental and computational facilities. The postholder will be based in the Whitehead Aeronautics Laboratory, which has received more than £300k of recent investment, significantly enhancing its high‑speed experimental capabilities. Facilities include advanced optical diagnostics and a substantially upgraded blowdown wind tunnel, providing an excellent platform for high‑speed and unsteady aerodynamics research.

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.

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