Research Fellow A in Autonomous Robotics for Environmental Science

UNIVERSITY OF SURREY; United Kingdom; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading UK university is seeking a research fellow to work on a pioneering project focused on monitoring greenhouse gas emissions using autonomous systems. The successful candidate will be part of a multidisciplinary team, responsible for developing innovative hardware and software solutions. Enjoyment of outdoor fieldwork and relevant experience in robotics, environmental science, or data analysis are essential for this role. This position is available immediately and may extend beyond June 2026.

Benefits

Generous equipment budget

Funding for conference travel

International fieldwork opportunities

Qualifications

• Degree in a relevant field (engineering, environmental science, etc.).
• Experience with implementation of hardware and software in research.
• Previous field measurement/data analysis experience.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement hardware and software solutions.
• Analyze data and create models from measurements.
• Coordinate field measurements and data analysis.
• Write reports and publications.
• Support project team and organize meetings.

Skills

Robotics and autonomous systems development

Environmental science fieldwork

Electronics design

Data science

Python

C++

Matlab

ROS

Job description

Organisation/Company UNIVERSITY OF SURREY Research Field Engineering Environmental science Geosciences Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Country United Kingdom Application Deadline 24 Sep 2025 - 00:00 (UTC) Type of Contract Other Job Status Full-time Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

The University of Surrey is a global community of ideas and people, dedicated to life-changing education and research.

We are ambitious and have a bold vision of what we want to achieve - shaping ourselves into one of the best universities in the world, which we are achieving through the talents and endeavour of every employee.

Our culture empowers people to achieve this aim and to collectively, and individually, make a real difference.

The role

A research fellow position is available to work on the project “Dynamic and Adaptable Monitoring of Greenhouse Gas Emissions with Robots” funded by the UKRI Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) at the University of Surrey.

Accurately measuring greenhouse gas emissions from human activity is challenging. Static sensors only measure one point in space, but sensors mounted to unmanned aircraft are noisy and can only fly for a short time. We are addressing this challenge by building an autonomous, mobile gas flux tower, consisting of a helium-filled aerodynamic kite tethered to an autonomous ground vehicle. Multiple vehicles operating together will create high resolution maps of emissions and airflow, at unprecedented spatial resolutions.

The project will be carried out in a newly outfitted robotics facility at the University of Surrey, with access to the Environmental Flow Laboratory wind tunnel facilities, gas analysis laboratories, and outdoor test spaces. The project will include industrial collaboration for extensive fieldwork at a variety of sites in southeast England, and the Ebro Delta in Spain.

This post is available immediately, and is required to end in June 2026 (although funding is in place for a six-month extension). The successful candidate will join a multidisciplinary team in Mechanical Engineering and Civil and Environmental Engineering, and will have the following responsibilities:

• Development and implementation of hardware and software;
• Data analysis and modelling;
• Coordination of field measurement anddata analysis;
• Writing reports and publications;
• Supporting project team andorganisingproject meetings;

The project includes generous equipment budget and funding for both conference travel and international fieldwork to test the proposed system.

This is a multidisciplinary project and scientists/engineers with a broad skillset are sought. Beneficial previous experience could include (but is not limited to): robotics and autonomous systems development, environmental science fieldwork, electronics design, and data science. Knowledge of Python, C++, Matlab or ROS would be of benefit. The project involves extensive fieldwork, and candidates should enjoy working outdoors.

How to apply

Please submit a CV and cover letter with your application on the University website.