Research Associate for Smart Robotic Swabbing System

TN United Kingdom; Preston; Hybrid; GBP 35,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

An innovative university is seeking a Research Associate to join their Robotics for Extreme Environments Group. This exciting role focuses on the Smart Robotic Swabbing System project, enhancing nuclear environment characterization through robotics. You will develop a modular swabbing system equipped with advanced sensors, optimize swabbing procedures, and conduct user studies. The position offers a unique opportunity to work at the forefront of nuclear robotics in a state-of-the-art facility. Join a collaborative team dedicated to groundbreaking research and flexible working arrangements.

Benefits

Market leading Pension scheme

Employee Assistance Programme

Exceptional annual leave entitlement

Paid closure over Christmas

Local and national discounts

Qualifications

• Experience in developing and deploying mobile robots.
• Skilled in hardware and software integration.

Responsibilities

• Develop robotic swabbing system for nuclear environments.
• Conduct user studies and develop control algorithms.

Skills

Robotics

Programming

System Integration

Motion Planning

Control Algorithms

Education

PhD in Robotics or related field

Master's in Engineering

Tools

Robotic Simulation Software

Programming Languages (Python, C++)

Job description

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Research Associate for Smart Robotic Swabbing System, Cumbria

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Client:

The University of Manchester

Location:

Cumbria, United Kingdom

Job Category:

Other

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EU work permit required:

Yes

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Job Reference:

57eb04272ad2

Job Views:

4

Posted:

05.05.2025

Expiry Date:

19.06.2025

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Job Description:

Applications are invited for this exciting opportunity to join The University of Manchester’s team at RAICo One Facility in Whitehaven, UK. RAICo One is a state-of-the-art robotics lab located on the edge of the Lake District National Park, in West Cumbria. The University of Manchester Robotics for Extreme Environments Group is at the forefront of nuclear field robotics and has deployed many robots into nuclear facilities and other extreme environments in the UK and internationally.

This role is for a Research Associate to work on the Smart Robotic Swabbing System for Nuclear Environment Characterisation (SRSS-NEC) project. The SRSS-NEC project brings together several technologies developed at The University of Manchester’s Robotics for Extreme Environments Group, aiming to enhance manual swabbing capabilities for precise characterisation of nuclear environments through leveraging robotics technologies. This will be achieved by developing a modular swabbing puck equipped with advanced tactile sensors, acquiring critical sensory feedback to facilitate swabbing operations. Working towards autonomous swabbing, this project will also include the design of motion planning and control approaches to optimize the swabbing procedure.

Your key role within the team will be to develop a robotic swabbing system, conduct user studies for efficacy evaluation, and develop automatic swabbing control algorithms. You will have experience in developing, programming, testing and deploying real world mobile robots. You will be a skilled and experienced system integrator with experience of both hardware and software integration. It is essential that you are capable of independently completing tasks to a high standard and communicating well with team members and industrial partners.

More detailed information about the responsibilities of the post and selection criteria can be found in the ‘Further Particulars’ document attached at the bottom of this advert.

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 support an inclusive working environment and welcome applicants from all sections of the community regardless of age, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender expression, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation and transgender status. All appointments are made on merit.

Our University is positive about flexible working you can find out more here

Hybrid working arrangements may be considered.

Please note that we are unable to respond to enquiries, accept CVs or applications from Recruitment Agencies.

Any CV’s submitted by a recruitment agency will be considered a gift.

Enquiries about the vacancy, shortlisting and interviews:

https://jobseekersupport.jobtrain.co.uk/support/home

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

Please see the link below for the Further Particulars document which contains the person specification criteria.