Post Doctoral Research Associate (PDRA) in Underwater Robotic Manipulation

at  Heriot Watt University

Directorate: School of Engineering & Physical Sciences
Salary: Grade 7 (£36,023-£45,585)
Contract Type: Full Time (1FTE), Fixed Term (12 months initially, to be extended every year based on the mutual satisfaction and agreement, in total for four years)
Rewards and Benefits: 33 days annual leave, plus 9 buildings closed days (and Christmas Eve when it falls on a weekday) for all full time staff. Use our total rewards calculator: https://www.hw.ac.uk/about/work/total-rewards-calculator.htm to see the value of benefits provided by Heriot-Watt University.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

We are looking for a highly experienced and skilled PDRA who will work on the EU project AEROSUB “Automated Inspection Robots For Surface, Aerial And Underwater Substructures“. The PDRA is expected to have experience in a few of the following topics:

• robotic manipulation,
• underwater robotics,
• whole body dynamics control of robotic systems,
• visual-servoing,
• model predictive control,
• transparency and trust in AI and machine-controlled systems.

The accepted candidate will work on towards developing a wholistic underwater mobile-manipulator system, composed of an underwater vehicle, an underwater robotic arm, and a task-specific end effector. The main application will be cleaning biological fouling on underwater assets i) by rubbing and ii) by using water jets. The project will focus on developing control algorithms for managing both vehicle stability and physical contact of the manipulator end effector. Contact management, whole body kinematic and dynamic control, estimation of disturbances, model-predictive control for motion control integrating the estimates of disturbances, mechatronic integration of end-effectors, vision-based motion control for effective, efficient, and safe motion planning, and developing algorithms for ensuring transparency and trust on underwater robotic manipulation will be the topics that will be studied throughout the four years of the project. The accepted candidate is expected to have expertise in some of these topics and have an interest and enthusiasm to learn and work on the others.
This is an exciting project that addresses one of the most challenging extreme environment applications of robotic systems, namely underwater, and brings together in its consortium the top-level expertise in Europe from different disciplines (robotics, machine vision, AI, control, human-robot interaction, energy). It will provide a welcoming and collaborative environment to excel the young researchers in various and connected domains within a team of EU-wide experts. The underwater manipulation team at Heriot-Watt is a part of the new and exceptional multi-million pounds National Robotarium facility (https://www.hw.ac.uk/uk/research/the-national-robotarium.htm) bringing together academic research and industry in Heriot-Watt University campus and housing extremely impactful industry-oriented research.
Candidates will have a strong interest and background in the above-cited topics with a PhD degree, or equivalent experience. Strong competencies in robotics, mechatronics, control, underwater manipulation, and AI applied to autonomous robotic systems are desirable.

The post holder is required to:

• Assist the development of student research skills and be expected to contribute to the assessment of student knowledge in the context of teaching and supervision duties. Could be expected to contribute to specialist courses such as research methods and equipment.
• Develop research objectives and proposals for own or joint research with the assistance of a mentor, if required. Conduct individual and collaborative research projects, making use of relevant research techniques and methods. Disseminate results of research in peer reviewed journals and conferences, and/or other appropriate media. Continue to update personal knowledge and to develop skills within own specialist research area. Maintain written records of research results and progress generated intellectual property and data analysis. Contribute to the production of research reports and publications.
• Write research reports and publish journal and conference papers. Analyse and interpret the results of own research and generate original ideas based on outcomes. Prepare proposals and applications to external bodies, e.g. for funding purposes. Use initiative and creativity to identify areas for research, develop new research methods and extend the research portfolio.
• Build internal contacts and participate in internal networks for the exchange of information and to form relationships for future collaboration. Work with academic colleagues on areas of shared research interest and contribute to collaborative decision-making. Join external networks to share information and identify potential sources of funds.
• Provide guidance as required to support staff, research students and any other students who may be assisting with the research.
• Contribute, under supervision, to the planning of research projects, including the development of new grant/contract proposals. Make internal and external contacts to develop knowledge and understanding and form relationships for future collaboration.
• We are looking for a creative and highly motivated researcher willing to work as part of a team.
• The ideal candidate will have a strong theoretical understanding and an experimental background in one or more of the following fields:
• Robotic manipulation,
• Underwater robotics,
• Control, model-predictive control,
• Trustworthy AI,
• Good communication skills and an appropriate publication record are essential.
• General tasks will involve scientific research; analysis and interpretation of data; writing and publishing papers; daily oversight of the activities of postgraduate and undergraduate project students in the laboratory; communication with other investigators involved in this collaborative project; and presentation of research at conferences.
• The successful candidate will be expected to conduct and lead their experiments whilst also supervising the activities of junior group members and PhD students.
• Responsibilities will also include assistance in the day-to-day maintenance of the experimental facilities, and liaising with companies and external collaborators.
• The successful candidate is also expected to be involved in our outreach activities, with roles that can be tuned to the specific preferences of the candidate but will involve for example interviews, talks for the general public and preparation of experimental demonstrators

The post holder is required to:

• Assist the development of student research skills and be expected to contribute to the assessment of student knowledge in the context of teaching and supervision duties. Could be expected to contribute to specialist courses such as research methods and equipment.
• Develop research objectives and proposals for own or joint research with the assistance of a mentor, if required. Conduct individual and collaborative research projects, making use of relevant research techniques and methods. Disseminate results of research in peer reviewed journals and conferences, and/or other appropriate media. Continue to update personal knowledge and to develop skills within own specialist research area. Maintain written records of research results and progress generated intellectual property and data analysis. Contribute to the production of research reports and publications.
• Write research reports and publish journal and conference papers. Analyse and interpret the results of own research and generate original ideas based on outcomes. Prepare proposals and applications to external bodies, e.g. for funding purposes. Use initiative and creativity to identify areas for research, develop new research methods and extend the research portfolio.
• Build internal contacts and participate in internal networks for the exchange of information and to form relationships for future collaboration. Work with academic colleagues on areas of shared research interest and contribute to collaborative decision-making. Join external networks to share information and identify potential sources of funds.
• Provide guidance as required to support staff, research students and any other students who may be assisting with the research.
• Contribute, under supervision, to the planning of research projects, including the development of new grant/contract proposals. Make internal and external contacts to develop knowledge and understanding and form relationships for future collaboration.
• We are looking for a creative and highly motivated researcher willing to work as part of a team.
• The ideal candidate will have a strong theoretical understanding and an experimental background in one or more of the following fields:
• Robotic manipulation,
• Underwater robotics,
• Control, model-predictive control,
• Trustworthy AI,
• Good communication skills and an appropriate publication record are essential.
• General tasks will involve scientific research; analysis and interpretation of data; writing and publishing papers; daily oversight of the activities of postgraduate and undergraduate project students in the laboratory; communication with other investigators involved in this collaborative project; and presentation of research at conferences.
• The successful candidate will be expected to conduct and lead their experiments whilst also supervising the activities of junior group members and PhD students.
• Responsibilities will also include assistance in the day-to-day maintenance of the experimental facilities, and liaising with companies and external collaborators.
• The successful candidate is also expected to be involved in our outreach activities, with roles that can be tuned to the specific preferences of the candidate but will involve for example interviews, talks for the general public and preparation of experimental demonstrators.