Research Associate – Small UAV Automation

We are seeking a motivated and collaborative individual to join our team as a Research Associate – Small UAV Automation. This role offers an exciting opportunity to contribute to the development of autonomous capabilities for a small unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) with a footprint of less than six inches. The project will explore the design, development, and utilisation of an external computing platform to enable advanced autonomous capabilities for miniature UAVs.

You will be responsible for:

• Identification of the sensing requirements and system configuration for both the UAV and the ground-based computing station.
• Design, development, and integration of a prototype system incorporating the selected sensors, communication infrastructure, and autonomous control architecture.
• Experimental testing and validation of the prototype through a simple autonomous mission representative of the intended operational environment.
• Integrating complementary areas of expertise to advance the autonomy of miniature UAVs through the use of external computing platforms and novel sensing solution.

We welcome candidates who bring diverse perspectives, experiences, and approaches to their work.

About You

We encourage applications from individuals with a wide range of backgrounds and experiences. You should demonstrate:

Essential Criteria:

• Experience in SLAM
• Experience in aerial robot design and development
• Experience in machine learning
• Experience in 3D simulation
• Experience in PX4 firmware

Desirable Criteria:

• Experience with ROS and/or ROS 2.
• Ability to disseminate research to non-technical audience.
• Ability to develop user experience front-end solutions.
• Interest in robotic autonomy

We value transferable skills and real-world experience as much as formal qualifications.

Our benefits include:

• Generous employer contribution pension
• 29 days annual leave plus bank holidays, along with Christmas closure
• Ride to work and EV car scheme available

For more information, please see University of Manchester Benefits. You can also find information on our Flexible and Hybrid working here.

We are an open place of enquiry and challenge. We embrace and celebrate difference, diversity and debate, and we pride ourselves on being a place of education, learning and community where we are able, within the law, to question and test received wisdom, express new ideas and explore controversial or unpopular topics and opinions. Find out more from our Freedom of Speech Policy.

Enquiries about the role, shortlisting and interviews

Name: Pawel Ladosz

Email Address: pawel.ladosz@manchester.ac.uk 

General enquiries and administrative support

recruitmentservices.people@manchester.ac.uk

Technical and job portal support

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

Applications close at midnight on the closing date.