We are offering a great opportunity to do your PhD with the Lincoln Centre for Autonomous Systems, fully funded, in the context of the National Centre for Nuclear Robotics:

The National Centre for Nuclear Robotics (NCNR) is a multi-disciplinary EPSRC RAI (Robotics and Artificial Intelligence) Hub consisting of most leading nuclear robotics experts in the UK including Universities of Birmingham, Queen Mary, Essex, Bristol, Edinburgh, Lancaster and Lincoln. Under this project, more than 40 postdoctoral researchers and PhD researchers form a team to develop cutting-edge scientific solutions to all aspects of nuclear robotics such as sensor and manipulator design, computer vision, robotic grasping and manipulation, mobile robotics, intuitive user interfaces and shared autonomy.

At the University of Lincoln, we will develop new machine learning algorithms for several crucial applications in nuclear robotics such as waste handling, cell decommissioning and site monitoring with mobile robots. Clean-up and decommissioning of nuclear waste is one of the biggest challenges for our and the next generations with enormous predicted costs (up to £200Bn over the next hundred years). Moreover, recent disaster situations such as Fukushima have shown the crucial importance of robotics technology for monitoring and intervention, which is still missing today. Our team will focus on algorithms for vision-guided robot grasping and manipulation, cutting, shared control and semi-autonomy, mobile robot navigation and outdoor mapping and navigation with a strong focus on machine learning and adaptation techniques. A dedicated bimanual robot arm platform is being developed, mounted on a mobile platform, and to be operated using shared autonomy, teleoperation and augmented reality concepts to be developed.

It is in this context that we are looking for two highly skilled PhD students, to specialise in machine learning, robot navigation, manipulation and grasping, or shared autonomy with robotic systems. The post is fully funded for 3.5 years of study (bursary at RCUK rate and all fees covered). A generous travel and equipment budget is available, too. Applicants will possess excellent research and programming skills as well as a solid mathematical understanding. Successful applicants will usually have graduated with an MSc degree in a relevant area (e.g. maths, computer science, engineering). Previous publications (e.g. from MSc studies) are not required but will be considered in favour of the candidate.

Applications are continuously received and regularly assessed until both positions are filled (this advert will disappear once they are).

Apply here