Postdoctoral Research Assistant in AI for Robot Decision-Making

University of Oxford; Oxford; On-site; GBP 38,000 - 47,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a prestigious research group at a leading institution as a post-doctoral research assistant. This role offers an exciting opportunity to work on cutting-edge research in robotic exploration and decision-making under uncertainty. You will engage with both academic and industrial stakeholders, contributing to innovative solutions in autonomous systems. If you possess a relevant PhD and a passion for advancing robotics, this position is perfect for you. Collaborate with a team dedicated to excellence in engineering science, while enjoying a supportive environment that values diversity and inclusion.

Qualifications

• Experience in decision-making under uncertainty and robotic exploration.
• Knowledge of MDPs and algorithms for policy production.

Responsibilities

• Develop techniques for decision-making under uncertainty in robotics.
• Engage with stakeholders and organize autonomous system trials.

Skills

Markov Decision Processes (MDPs)

Sequential Decision-Making

Robotic Exploration

Human-Robot Interaction

Data Analysis

Education

PhD/DPhil in relevant field

Job description

We are seeking a full-time post-doctoral research assistant to join the GOALS research group (http://ori.ox.ac.uk/labs/goals/) within the Oxford Robotics Institute (ORI) at the Department of Engineering Science (central Oxford). The post is funded by the EPSRC research funds and is fixed-term for up to one year.

The successful applicant will have experience on using sequential decision-making methods for solving problems related to safe robotic exploration and planning under epistemic uncertainty. We typically work with Markov decision processes (MDPs), and are looking for someone with experience in both fundamental algorithms for producing policies for rich goal structures in MDPs (e.g. risk, temporal logic, or probabilistic objectives), and modelling robot decision problems using MDPs (e.g. human-robot interaction, safe exploration, long-term monitoring). You will be responsible for developing new techniques for single- or multi-agent decision-making under uncertainty in the context of autonomous systems; testing hypotheses and analyzing data from a variety of sources, reviewing and refining working hypotheses as appropriate; engage with industrial stakeholders to understand needs and disseminate results; and organising and deliver autonomous system trials and demonstrations at internal and external sites.

You should possess a relevant PhD/DPhil or be near completion together with relevant experience, including a track record of contributions in decision-making under uncertainty robotic exploration and mission planning under epistemic uncertainty. You will have have knowledge or experience in modelling and solving problems under uncertainty, from either an AI, robotics, or verification perspective, and an ability to manage own academic research and associated activities.

Informal enquiries may be addressed to Nick Hawes (email: [e-mail]).

For more information about working at the Department, see www.eng.ox.ac.uk/about/work-with-us/

Only online applications received before midday on 12th May 2025 can be considered. You will be required to upload a covering letter/supporting statement, including a brief statement of research interests (describing how past experience and future plans fit with the advertised position), CV and the details of two referees as part of your online application.

The Department holds an Athena Swan Bronze award, highlighting its commitment to promoting women in Science, Engineering and Technology.

Contact Person :

Prof. Nick Hawes

Vacancy ID :

179521

Contact Phone :

Closing Date & Time :

12-May-2025 12:00

Pay Scale :

RESEARCH GRADE 7

Contact Email :

[e-mail]

Salary (£) :

Grade 7: £38,674 -£46,913 per annum (Inclusive of Oxford University weighting)