| Location: | Bedfordshire, Cranfield |
|---|---|
| Salary: | £29,950 to £46,492 - please see advert |
| Hours: | Full Time |
| Contract Type: | Fixed-Term/Contract |
| Placed On: | 26th August 2026 |
|---|---|
| Closes: | 16th September 2026 |
| Job Ref: | 5386 |
Fixed term contract for 18 months
Full time starting salary (if PhD is obtained) is normally in the range of £38,655 to £46,492 per annum, with potential progression up to £53,108 per annum.
Full time starting salary (if PhD close to completion) is normally in the range of £29,950 to £35,019 per annum, with potential progression up to £40,984 per annum.
Location: Cranfield, Bedfordshire
We welcome applications from skilled researchers with a passion for the development of robust and efficient software to contribute to our experimental work in automated cars.
About the role
The successful candidate will support high-quality research in automated vehicle navigation and perception systems, contributing to the development and maintenance of the CONRRAD automated driving platform, part of previous UKRI project Driven by Sound.
The role includes developing tools for debugging, testing, validation and multi-sensor data visualisation, while supporting optimisation of full-stack automated driving pipelines. You will contribute to the design, implementation and evaluation of novel perception algorithms for automated driving applications. There will also be opportunities to build an independent research profile through supervision of MSc research projects aligned with the Centre’s themes. Responsibilities include project delivery, publication of research findings, preparation of technical reports and collaboration with academic and industry partners.
About you
You will hold a PhD (or near completion) in computer science, robotics, embedded systems, mechatronics or a related field, or demonstrate equivalent expertise gained through at least three years’ relevant postgraduate research experience.
You will have knowledge of software testing, debugging, optimisation and deployment, with experience of communication middleware and protocols used in robotics or autonomous systems. Strong problem-solving, self-management and teamwork skills are essential, particularly within multidisciplinary research environments. Ideally, you will be first or joint first author of at least one publication in a reputable academic journal, with pending publications also considered.
About us
As a specialist postgraduate university, Cranfield’s world-class expertise, large-scale facilities and unrivalled industry partnerships are creating leaders in technology and management globally. Learn more about Cranfield and our unique impact here.
Our values and commitments
Our shared, stated values help to define who we are and underpin everything we do: Ambition; Impact; Respect; and Community. Find out more here.
We aim to create and maintain a culture in which everyone can work and study together and realise their full potential. We are a Disability Confident Employer. We are committed to actively exploring flexible working options for each role and have been ranked in the Top 30 family friendly employers in the UK by the charity Working Families. Find out more about our key commitments to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and Flexible Working here.
Working arrangements
Collaborating and connecting are integral to so much of what we do. Our Working Arrangements Framework provides many staff with the opportunity to flexibly combine on-site and remote working, where job roles allow, balancing the needs of our community of staff, students, clients and partners.
How to apply
For an informal discussion about this opportunity, please contact Dr Marco Cecotti, on (E): m.cecotti@cranfield.ac.uk
Apply online now. Please do not hesitate to contact us for further details on (E): peoplerecruitment@cranfield.ac.uk. Please quote reference number 5386.
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