School of Computer Science

Location: Lincoln
Salary: From £33,797 per annum
This post is full time at 1FTE and is fixed term for 3 years.
Closing Date: Thursday 04 February 2021
Interview Date: Tuesday 23 February 2021
Reference: COS803

The University of Lincoln is seeking to appoint a new Postdoctoral Research Associate to join the School of Computer Science and the Lincoln Centre for Autonomous Systems (L-CAS). This position is externally funded by the Horizon 2020-funded project "Dynamic Agile production Robots that learn and optimise Knowledge and Operations" (DARKO).

The project aims to develop a new generation of agile intralogistics robots with energy-efficient actuators for highly dynamic motion, which can operate safely within changing environments, have predictive planning capabilities, and are aware of human intentions. The University of Lincoln will lead the project’s work package on Human-Robot Spatial Interaction (HRSI), including tasks for qualitative spatial modelling of human motion and causal inference for safe human-robot interaction. It will also contribute to other tasks for multi-sensor perception, human motion prediction, and robot intent communication.

The post-holder will be expected to design, conduct and manage original research in the area of the project, including (but not limited to) the following topics:

causal inference and probabilistic methods for autonomous robots;

qualitative spatial reasoning for human-robot interaction;

machine learning for robot perception and navigation.

The candidate should have, or expect to soon obtain, a PhD in a relevant area. S/he must have excellent mathematical and coding skills (C++/Python). Some experience with ROS or other relevant software libraries is a plus.

The successful candidate will be expected to design, conduct and manage original research in the above subject areas as well contribute to the wider activities of L-CAS and the School of Computer Science. Evidence of authorship of research outputs of international standing is essential, as is the ability to work collaboratively as part of a team, including excellent written and spoken communication skills. Opportunities to teach and supervise postgraduate students, including our MSc programme in Robotics and Autonomous Systems, will also be available to outstanding candidates.

This post is fixed term for 3 years, with excellent opportunities for ongoing career development and progression. The role offers also the opportunity to engage in international collaborations within an ambitious and diverse team, to work with state-of-the-art robotic hardware and software, and to benefit from excellent support to produce and disseminate original research contributions at the leading international conferences and journals.

Informal enquiries about the post can be made to Dr Nicola Bellotto (email: nbellotto@lincoln.ac.uk)