Research Associate in Collaborative Human-Robot Exploration and Manipulation

We are looking for a full-time post-doctoral research associate to investigate human-robot collaboration in unstructured environments for inspection, repair, and maintenance. You will carry out research on autonomous environment perception based on multi-sensory feedback (e.g. vision, haptics), and develop robotic navigation and control strategies. To assist human operators in manipulation, the research purposes also include designing user interface to better recognize user’s intention and provide intuitive sensory feedback to enhance their situation awareness in unknown environments. You will work with physical robot platforms and real field data, both individually and collaboratively, for algorithm development, system integration, field trials and demonstrations. You will be expected to publish at world-leading refereed conferences and journals, and demonstrate research outcomes on real robot platforms.

The role will also require regular contributions to a variety of academic tasks, including positively interacting and communicating with internal and external stakeholders, developing research proposals, management of research projects, supervising Master and PhD students, demonstrating research excellence and leadership to more junior members in the research lab.

Key Responsibilities

Main Duties:

• To investigate multi-sensory environment perception, robotic navigation and control for collaborative human-robot exploration and manipulation in unstructured environments.
• To work on the project deliverables through independent research and joint collaboration.
• To publish at world-leading refereed conferences and journals.
• To conduct and plan own scientific work proactively with appropriate supervision.
• To maintain accurate and complete records of all findings and experimental work, and full backup of research resources in the Lab facilities.

Other Duties:

• To direct the work of small research teams.
• To ensure the validity and reliability of research results and data.
• To write reports for submission to stakeholders.
• To present findings to colleagues and at relevant workshops and conferences as necessary.
• To develop contacts and research collaborations within the University and the international partners.
• To assist in the supervision of undergraduate and postgraduate research students and other lab members as required.
• To contribute to bids for research grants.
• To actively participate in the research programme of the Lab.
• To participate in Lab research meetings and internal seminars.
• To undertake any necessary training, safety courses and/or development.
• To undertake appropriate administration tasks.
• To contribute to the smooth running of the Lab’s facilities with other researchers, technicians and students.

What you will get in return:

• Fantastic market leading Pension scheme
• Excellent employee health and wellbeing services including an Employee Assistance Programme
• Exceptional starting annual leave entitlement, plus bank holidays
• Additional paid closure over the Christmas period
• Local and national discounts at a range of major retailers

As an equal opportunities employer we welcome applicants from all sections of the community regardless of age, sex, gender (or gender identity), ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation and transgender status. All appointments are made on merit.

Enquiries about the vacancy, shortlisting and interviews:

Name: Dr. Xiaoxiao Cheng

Email: [email protected]

This vacancy will close for applications at midnight on the closing date.

Further particulars including job description and person specification are available on the University of Manchester website - click on the 'Apply' button above to find out more.