Research Associate in Mobile Robotics

The success of accelerating and embedding robotics and autonomous systems within horticulture relies on a capable and robust navigation system for the robotic system to traverse and operate in a variety of agricultural/horticultural environments. This project aims to develop and deploy a low-cost, low-maintenance, yet reliable multi-session simultaneous localisation and mapping (SLAM) solution for robotic systems that face specific agricultural-related challenges.

We are seeking to appoint a passionate and highly qualified Postdoctoral Research Associate in Mobile Robotics to join the Loughborough University Centre for Autonomous Systems (LUCAS). This post is associated with a UKRI funded project on Precision Orchard Management for Environment (POME). You will work in a well-connected and diverse research team at LUCAS with state-of-the-art facilities for robotic research. The post will provide an excellent opportunity to develop your knowledge and skills in autonomous mobile robotics with impactful applications in agricultural and horticultural industries.

To work efficiently in a project consortium and conduct research in the area of mobile robotics, you will manage your own academic research and administrative activities, adapt existing and develop new methodologies in robotics, design working algorithms from theories, deploy and test algorithms on hardware as appropriate, and analyse data from a variety of sources and field trials. In addition, the more specific duties in this project require you to expand and augment existing graph-based SLAM methods to enable multi-session SLAM to be performed in complex feature-sparse agricultural environments. This is to enable consistent robotic operation and mapping throughout the year within an ever-changing environment, enabled through the use of IMU, Visual data, or LiDAR sensors.

You must hold or be close to completing a Doctorate degree in Control Engineering, Computer Science, Robotics, Autonomous Systems, or a related technical field, or an MSc/MRes degree with substantial working experience in relevant fields. Demonstrated ability to program in C/C++, Python and/or MATLAB to a high standard, experience with state estimation and factor-graph algorithms, and working experience with the Robotic Operating System (ROS) are essential. A track record of publications, preferably in robotics or control engineering themed journals, is also required. Experience in the use of inertial measurement units, Simultaneous Localisation and Mapping (SLAM), and Visual Inertial Odometry (VIO), as well as experience of field trials of mobile robotic systems, would be desirable.

For more information, refer to the Job Description and Person Specification.

We are proud to be a Real Living Wage Employer, providing additional supplementary payments at specific pay points to further support our employees' financial wellbeing. Further information about the Loughborough Real Living Wage Supplement can be found on our HR webpage.

Closing Date: 14 May 2025