Division/School School of Computer Science, Electrical and Electronic Engineering and Engineering Maths
Contract type Open Ended
Working pattern Full time
Salary £33,199 - £37,345
Closing date for applications 21-Apr-2019

The Thales-Bristol Partnership in Hybrid Autonomous Systems Engineering (T-B PHASE) is seeking to appoint a Post-Doctoral Research Associate to focus on the topic of architectures for hybrid (human-machine) autonomous systems engineering. Candidates with experience of systems engineering, systems architecting, or socio-technical (‘soft’) systems methodologies are encouraged to apply.

The aim of this role is to research methods for architecting hybrid (human-machine) systems, which include machines with varying degrees of autonomy, and which are interconnected and complex in behaviour. The project pursues fundamental research in the context of real-world engineering challenges at Thales that include the applications such as surveillance, search and rescue and future transport and logistics operations.

You will join the £4.7m 5-year Thales-Bristol Partnership in Hybrid Autonomous Systems Engineering (T-B PHASE). The project is funded and delivered in partnership between the Thales Group and the University of Bristol, with the support of the UK EPSRC (EP/R004757/1).

The project is developing new methods and technologies to help understand and overcome barriers to deploying smart, autonomous technologies in settings that involve close inter-operation with people.

You will develop innovative research which places you at the forefront of understanding and overcoming these obstacles.

The position offers an exciting opportunity to develop novel autonomous system architectures for application in challenging and impactful real-world domains. You will work as part of a multidisciplinary team that brings together industrial experts in systems design and engineering with academics from computer science, engineering mathematics and robotics.

We are explicitly seeking candidates with expertise that complements and extends rather than duplicates that of the current project team. Active engagement and collaboration with industrial stakeholders from Thales are essential in the delivery of this role.

The anticipated start date is 1st June 2019 or as soon as possible thereafter.

Informal enquiries can be made to:

Prof. Eddie Wilson (re.wilson@bristol.ac.uk) – Academic Lead
Angus Johnson (Angus.Johnson@uk.thalesgroup.com) – Industrial Lead
Kevin Galvin (kevin.galvin@uk.thalesgroup.com) – Industrial Supervisor

The University is committed to creating and sustaining a fully inclusive culture. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and communities.

We appreciate and value difference, seeking to attract, develop and retain a diverse mix of talented people that will contribute to the overall success of Bristol and help maintain our position as one of the world’s leading universities.