Scientist – Soft Robotics & Smart Textiles

Botz Innovation; Greater London; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A deep-tech startup in the UK is seeking a Scientist specializing in soft robotics to lead research and development for innovative wearable robotic systems. The ideal candidate will hold a PhD in a relevant field and possess strong hands-on skills in smart textile fabrication. Responsibilities include leading research, collaborating across teams to integrate systems, and prototyping. This role offers competitive salary, growth opportunities, and involvement in groundbreaking technology development.

Benefits

Competitive salary and benefits package

Opportunities for growth and leadership

Visa sponsorship for candidates

Qualifications

• PhD in Robotics, Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science, Biomedical Engineering, or Textile Engineering.
• Hands-on skills in smart textile fabrication including knitting, weaving, and bonding.
• Comfort working in multidisciplinary environments with a solution-driven mindset.

Responsibilities

• Lead research on textile-integrated soft robotics.
• Collaborate with teams to integrate actuation systems and textile-based sensors.
• Conduct body-on tests to evaluate prototypes.

Skills

Smart textile fabrication

Soft actuators experience

Functional prototype translation

Mechanical characterization

Solution-driven mindset

Education

PhD in Robotics

Materials Science

Biomedical Engineering

Tools

Textile-integrated electronics

Multilayer textile composite construction

Job description

Your mission

We are a deep-tech startup developing next-generation wearable robotic systems that combine soft actuation and textile-integrated sensing. Our mission is to create adaptive apparel that enhances human movement, health, and performance in everyday and clinical environments.

Operating in stealth mode, we are building a founding technical team to shape breakthrough technology from the ground up.

We are seeking a Scientist specialising in soft robotics and smart textiles to drive research, prototyping, and integration of our textile-embedded actuation and sensing systems.

R&D & Core Technology Development

• Lead research in textile-integrated soft robotics, focusing on compliant actuation and embedded sensing.
• Design, build, and iterate multilayer textile prototypes, including composites, functional textiles, and smart materials.
• Explore and characterise adaptive actuation systems suited for wearable use (e.g., pneumatic, compliant, or shape-changing mechanisms).
• Develop and validatesensing concepts (e.g., strain, pressure, EMG, IMU) embedded directly into textile structures.

Integration & System Engineering

• Collaborate with mechanical, electronics, and software teams to integrate:
  • Actuation systems
  • Textile-based sensors
  • Control electronics and algorithms
• Support development of closed-loop wearable systems (sensing to interpretation to actuation).
• Translate human-movement insights into requirements for fit, actuation behaviour, and sensing placement.

Biomechanics, Physiology & Testing

• Conduct body-on tests to evaluate performance, comfort, and mechanics of prototypes.
• Support development of protocols to assess durability, movement response, safety, and long-term behaviour.
• Work with clinical or human-performance partners to refine testing methodologies.

Prototyping & Validation

• Produce prototypes, rigs, and demonstrators to accelerate technology readiness.Define material behaviours, failure modes, and performance criteria.
• Contribute to internal documentation, publications, and IP generation.

Strategic Contribution

• Shape long-term technical roadmaps and influence product direction as part of the early founding team.
• Help build lab capabilities, tools, and processes for ongoing R&D.

Your profile

Essential Requirements

• PhD in Robotics, Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science, Biomedical Engineering, Textile Engineering, ororequivalent industry R&D experience.
• Strong hands-on skills in smart textile fabrication (knitting, weaving, embroidery, lamination, bonding, or textile-integrated electronics).
• Experience with soft actuators (e.g., pneumatic, compliant, or shape-changing mechanisms).
• Ability to translate research into functional prototypes.
• Experience with mechanical characterisation, experimental design, or materials testing.
• A solution-driven mindset and comfort working in a fast-paced, multidisciplinary environment.
• Strong communicationand documentation skills.

Desirable

• Experience with wearable robotic systems, exosuits, or textile-embedded sensors (pressure, strain, EMG, IMU).
• Familiarity with multilayer textile composite construction, bonding, or advanced fabrication techniques.
• Understanding of biomechanics, ergonomics, or human–machine interaction.
• Prior industry or startup experience developing physical products.
• Rapid prototyping, iteration, and user-testing experience.

Why us?

• Competitive salary and benefits package.
• Opportunity to help define foundational technology at a stealth startup at the forefront of robotics.
• Significant scope for growth and leadership as part of the early team.
• Collaborative, mission-driven culture.
• Visa sponsorship for candidates.