Directorate: School of Engineering & Physical Sciences
Salary: Grade 7 (£36,924-£46,485)
Contract Type: Full Time (1FTE), Fixed Term (12 months initially, to be extended every year based on mutual satisfaction and agreement, in total for four years)
Rewards and Benefits: 33 days annual leave, plus 9 buildings closed days (and Christmas Eve when it falls on a weekday) for all full-time staff.
Detailed Description
We are looking for a highly experienced and skilled PDRA who will work on the EU project AEROSUB "Automated Inspection Robots For Surface, Aerial And Underwater Substructures". The PDRA is expected to have experience in a few of the following topics:
* robotic manipulation
* underwater robotics
* whole body dynamics control of robotic systems
* visual-servoing
* model predictive control
* transparency and trust in AI and machine-controlled systems
The accepted candidate will work towards developing a holistic underwater mobile-manipulator system, composed of an underwater vehicle, an underwater robotic arm, and a task-specific end effector. The main application will be cleaning biological fouling on underwater assets i) by rubbing and ii) by using water jets. The project will focus on developing control algorithms for managing both vehicle stability and physical contact of the manipulator end effector. The topics that will be studied throughout the four years of the project include:
* Contact management
* Whole body kinematic and dynamic control
* Estimation of disturbances
* Model-predictive control for motion control integrating the estimates of disturbances
* Mechatronic integration of end-effectors
* Vision-based motion control for effective, efficient, and safe motion planning
* Developing algorithms for ensuring transparency and trust on underwater robotic manipulation
This is an exciting project that addresses one of the most challenging extreme environment applications of robotic systems, namely underwater, and brings together top-level expertise in Europe from different disciplines (robotics, machine vision, AI, control, human-robot interaction, energy). It will provide a welcoming and collaborative environment for young researchers in various connected domains within a team of EU-wide experts.
Candidates will have a strong interest and background in the above-cited topics with a PhD degree, or equivalent experience. Strong competencies in robotics, mechatronics, control, underwater manipulation, and AI applied to autonomous robotic systems are desirable.
Key Duties and Responsibilities
* Assist the development of student research skills and contribute to the assessment of student knowledge in the context of teaching and supervision duties.
* Develop research objectives and proposals for own or joint research with the assistance of a mentor, if required. Conduct individual and collaborative research projects, disseminate results of research in peer-reviewed journals and conferences, and maintain written records of research results and progress.
* Write research reports and publish journal and conference papers. Prepare proposals and applications to external bodies for funding purposes.
* Build internal contacts and participate in internal networks for the exchange of information and future collaboration.
* Provide guidance to support staff, research students, and any other students assisting with the research.
* Contribute to the planning of research projects, including the development of new grant/contract proposals.
* The successful candidate will be expected to conduct and lead their experiments whilst supervising the activities of junior group members and PhD students.
* Responsibilities will also include assistance in the day-to-day maintenance of the experimental facilities and liaising with companies and external collaborators.
* The successful candidate is also expected to be involved in outreach activities, which may include interviews, talks for the general public, and preparation of experimental demonstrators.
Education, Qualifications and Experience
Essential Criteria
* Applicants should hold a PhD in a relevant area of robotic manipulation, underwater robotics, control, or a related subject (or a thesis submitted by the start date of the project).
* Experience of working in a team and/or multi-cultural work environment.
* A record of high-quality publications, for stage in career, and evidence of contribution to the writing of these publications proportionate to opportunity.
* Experience with machine learning and/or machine vision applied to research in a relevant discipline.
* Must have proven academic ability and a demonstrable high level of technical competence in experimental science and the analysis/modeling of the results.
* Ability to formulate and progress work on their own initiative.
Desirable Criteria
* Evidence of ability to present work effectively in person, e.g. at conferences and seminars.
* Previous experience with one or more of the following: robotic manipulators, control, underwater robotics, image processing, and trustworthiness in AI.
* Experience in leading the writing of scientific papers.
* Experience in programming, system integration, and communication across sensors and actuators, data acquisition and analysis.
* Evidence of ability to guide other researchers, e.g. PhD students and undergraduate project students.
How to Apply
Applications submitted until midnight on Sunday 2nd February 2025. Interested applicants must submit via the Heriot-Watt online recruitment system: (1) a cover letter describing their interest and suitability for the post; (2) a full CV; (3) A summary of their scholarship and teaching plans and ambitions; and (4) a list of publications.
The position will be based on 12-month long contracts, throughout the four years until November 30th, 2028.
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