Research Associate/Fellow in Design and Modelling of Soft and Continuum Robots

Research Associate/Fellow in Design and Modelling of Soft and Continuum Robots (fixed term)

Reference

ENG221322

Closing Date

Wednesday, 6th July 2022

Job Type

Research

Department

Engineering

Salary

£27924 to £40927 per annum, depending on skills and experience (minimum £31406 with relevant PhD). Salary progression beyond this scale is subject to performance

There has been an increasing interest in the use of soft and continuum structures in the robotic systems. Soft and continuum structures are crucial in the systems that deal with uncertain and dynamic task-environments, e.g., access to narrow space, and grasping and manipulation of unknown objects. The Rolls-Royce University Technology Centre on Manufacturing and On-Wing (http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/utc) at University of Nottingham, focuses on developing soft and continuum robots for locomotion and manipulation in challenging environments with leading industrial partners. 

Applicants of this post are invited to develop soft and continuum robots for operations in narrow spaces, enabling the users to remove humans from danger, increase productivity and lower the associated cost of the inspection and repair tasks in high-value industrial facilities. In this role, you will be at the forefront of research that offers scientific challenges and opportunities of innovation, with an aim to improving the manipulations of soft and continuum robots within aerospace, telecom, and medical fields. As a result, this position offers the opportunity for close collaborations with partners (e.g., Rolls-Royce, BT and NHS). Further, the opportunity to participate in teaching is available for those wishing to pursue an academic career.

Candidates should possess a good knowledge of mechanical and mechatronics design, static and dynamic analysis, intelligent control related to robotics and demonstrate strong evidence of developing their own approaches (e.g., SolidWorks, MATLAB, ROS, C++ and/or LabVIEW) to model such systems. Previous expertise in developing customised robotics/mechatronics (e.g., for manipulation) would be preferable.

Apart from being capable to lead the research work on this project, good communication, presentation/reporting and publishing skills are required for the person appointed to effectively interact with the international academic and industrial partners involved in this research project. In addition to carrying out project work, the researcher will benefit from exposure to internationally leading industrial companies that are interested in the results of this project and willing to collaborate on spin-put individual projects.

Candidates should possess a good first degree in mechanical/ robotics/ mechatronics/ Control engineering or related disciplines, and a PhD (or about to obtain) degree in mechatronics/robotics. This full-time post is available from 01 August 2022, but late start could be agreed, and will offered on a fixed-term contract for a period of two years.

Informal enquiries maybe addressed to Prof. Dragos Axinte, tel: +44 (0)115 951 4117or email: dragos.axinte@nottingham.ac.uk.

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