<!--anchor--> <!--anchor--> Research Associate <!--anchor-->

Applications are invited for a position as Research Associate in AI and drone tasking at the King’s College London. The position is full time and fixed term for 2 years.

The post is due to start in Sep 2022.

The role will be part of a KTP (Knowledge Transfer Partnership) between Kings College London and Siriusinsight.AI (

www.siriusinsight.ai

) partly funded by Innovate UK.

The purpose of the project is to develop and deploy an autonomous maritime domain awareness system integrating terrestrial and satellite data with a tasked aerial detection capability, using drone technology.  This will provide a more secure and effective monitoring of the UK’s extensive coastline. Benefits include exports, a significant uplift in sales and rapid business growth.

You will be a conscientious, innovative experimental scientist who has successfully completed a PhD (or equivalent) in robotics, Telecoms, computer science, and engineering including electrical/electronic engineering or similar. Experience in design machine learning algorithms for control systems is preferred.

At King’s, you will join a research-leading and multi-disciplinary team led by Dr Yansha Deng, and jointly supervised with Dr Emmanouil Spyrakos Papastavridis. You will be based at the Department of Engineering. The successful candidate will also be expected to collaborate closely with the project partner – SiriusInsight.AI.

This post will be offered on an a fixed term contract for 2 years.

This is a full-time  post - 100% full time equivalent

The role is being created to add a UAV capability to the SiriusInsight’s business in sensor systems integration.   The Research Associate will need to be able to bring the University’s experience in remote and autonomous systems in order to solve a specific set of problems in the development of autonomous tasking and mission planning for use by a vehicle (UAV) or static remote system (e.g. fixed to a navigation buoy).  

The role will involve carrying out research in machine learning for the control of drones as part of a suite of sensors to provide maritime domain awareness with the objective of filling in gaps in current infrastructure to protect UK maritime borders. Research will need to be carried out to:  

• Efficient tasking of UAVs for specific missions   
• Machine learning solutions to auto-task UAVs  
• Validate the proposed solutions in simulator and prototype.  
• The successful candidate will have a strong interest in the areas of artificial intelligence and autonomy. The successful candidate will be able to develop skills in the exciting and emerging field of machine learning for UAV tasking and control.  

The role may involve irregular hours, with intense periods of activity leading up to deadlines such as publications or deliverable milestones. 

The key challenges on which the applicant will focus can be briefly defined as the following: 

• Work closely with the Principal Investigators (PIs) to ensure that the aims and objectives of the project are achieved in a timely and effective way. 
• Write papers for publication in journals and for presentation at conferences, seminars and other research meetings.  
• Participate in relevant events within the institution or externally, in order to build contacts to facilitate exchange of information and advance thinking. 
• Support events, conferences and workshops run by the project to develop the project outputs and research agenda. 
• Contribute to the development of further research proposals. 

The above list of responsibilities may not be exhaustive, and the post holder will be required to undertake such tasks and responsibilities as may reasonably be expected within the scope and grading of the post.  

Essential criteria

Education/qualification and training:

1.       BSc in Telecoms, Computer Science, Electronic Engineering or related area.

2.       PhD awarded in relevant topic of Telecoms, Computer Science, Electronic Engineering or related area (or near completion).

3.       Experience in programming and AI is essential and programming of robots is highly desirable.

4.       Knowledge of the following programming languages: PythonC++MATLAB/Simulink 

5.       Well-versed in Linux-based programming.

6.       Experience with AI/robotics algorithm implementation on physical devices.

7.       Working knowledge of AI algorithms, including either reinforcement learning, deep learning, or a combination of both.

8.       Experience with interfacing exteroceptive sensors with control software.

9.       Excellent presentation and communication skills, the ability to present data to a varied audience and the ability to facilitate the decision-making process

10.   A passion for software design and development with an interest in UAVs and systems integration

11.   Conducting product and market research and creating presentation materials and analyses based thereon

12.   Writing of reports and papers for publication and dissemination

Personal attributes

13.       The Associate must be willing to engage in all aspects of KTP and be enthusiastic about the professional training and personal development opportunities available.

14.       The Associate should also be able to demonstrate the following personal attributes:

• Team player
• Problem solver with a can-do attitude
• Results / task / project orientated approach
• Able to work autonomously when required (given possible continuation of COVID restrictions on office working) and to fulfil many roles and to adapt quickly in a fast moving, small company environment.

Other

15.       Due to the sensitive nature of the industry and the expectation of working with UK Government on security matters, the candidate will need to comply with the Company’s minimum standard of security which is the UK Government’s Baseline Personnel Security Standard.

Desirable criteria

Desirable technical skills

1.       Experience with programming UAVs

2.       Working knowledge of ROS (Robot Operating System)

3.       Experience in SLAM (Simultaneous Localization and Mapping), and familiarity with state-of-the-art methods.

4.       Experience in working with / solving problems in the following areas:

-          Power management

-          Prioritisation and management of scarce resources

-          Computer vision

-          Pattern of life analysis

-          Control system design

-          Experience with Matrice 100 Drone ideal

-          Experience with firmware development and debugging

5.       Understanding of proprioceptive sensor, and actuator, operation

6.       Practical experience in the development of IT communication and networking protocols, including one or more of the following: TCP/UDP, CAN bus, and/or EtherCAT

- Sensor fusion