Research Associate - Vision-based Perception for Human-Robot Collaboration

We are looking for a full-time post-doctoral research associate to investigate human-robot collaboration to explore unstructured environments for inspection, repair, and maintenance. You will conduct research on designing robotic perception of environments through vision and providing suitable visual guidance to facilitate human-robot collaboration, whether they are remotely operating a robot or collaborating closely with one in a proximal setting. You will work with physical robot platforms and design visual feedback to provide guidance on human operations. This will encompass computer vision, object detection, visual feedback design, robotic control, and conducting user studies. You will be expected to publish at world-leading refereed conferences and journals, and demonstrate research outcomes on real robot platforms.

The role will also require regular contributions to a variety of academic tasks, including positively interacting and communicating with internal and external stakeholders, developing research proposals, management of research projects, supervising PhD, Master and undergraduate students, demonstrating research excellence and leadership to more junior members in the research lab.

Key Responsibilities
Main Duties:

• Develop visual feedback interface to transmit useful information that is beyond human natural sensory channels.
• Design robot environment perception algorithms with computer vision.
• Investigate optimal form of visual feedback for human-robot collaborative exploration of unstructured environments.
• Implement algorithms into robotic systems for real-time execution.
• Work on the project deliverables through independent research and joint collaboration.
• Publish at world-leading refereed conferences and journals.
• Actively participate in the research programme of the Lab.
• Conduct and plan own scientific work proactively with appropriate supervision.
• Maintain accurate and complete records of all findings and experimental work, and full backup of research resources in the Lab facilities.

Other Duties:

• Direct the work of small research teams.
• Ensure the validity and reliability of research results and data.
• Write reports for submission to stakeholders.
• Present findings to colleagues and at relevant workshops and conferences as necessary.
• Develop contacts and research collaborations within the University and the international partners.
• Assist in the supervision of undergraduate and postgraduate research students and other lab members as required.
• Contribute to bids for research grants.
• Participate in Lab research meetings and internal seminars.
• Undertake any necessary training, safety courses and/or development.
• Undertake appropriate administration tasks.
• Contribute to the smooth running of the Lab's facilities with other researchers, technicians and students.

Location and Facility

The successful applicant will join The University of Manchester's team at RAICo One Facility in West Cumbria. The applicant will have a unique opportunity to work in close partnership with robotics, control and AI experts from the University of Manchester, Sellafield Ltd and the UK Atomic Energy Authority, applying their knowledge and research work into real applications. RAICo One is a fully equipped robotics laboratory with state-of-the-art robotic research and development facilities including a wide range of robotic systems and robot test arenas.

This post is offered on a 6-month fixed-term appointment with potential extension.

The closing date for applications is: 07/12/2024

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 welcome applicants from all sections of the community regardless of age, sex, gender (or gender identity), ethnicity, disability, 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 recruitment enquiries from recruitment agencies should be directed to People.Recruitment@manchester.ac.uk. Any CVs submitted by a recruitment agency will be considered a gift.

Enquiries about the vacancy, shortlisting and interviews:
Name: Xiaoxiao Cheng
Email: xiaoxiao.cheng@manchester.ac.uk
General enquiries:
Email: People.recruitment@manchester.ac.uk
Technical support:
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.