A Research Assistant / Research Fellow position is available to investigate how ultraviolet and polarised light processing in insects can be applied to robotics: a collaboration between University of Lincoln and University of Edinburgh.

This research position is available on the EPSRC funded project “Exploiting invisible cues for low-cost outdoor robot navigation” and is a collaboration between the Universities of Lincoln and Edinburgh.

Candidates to be employed as Research Assistant should possess at least an undergraduate degree (or equivalent) in a relevant area with a track record of related publications. Applicants at Research Fellow level should possess a PhD (or equivalent) in a relevant area with a track record of related publications, or equivalent industrial experience.

The grant seeks to understand how insects are exploiting light cues invisible to humans (ultraviolet and polarised light) for navigation and abstract for use in robotics. This is investigated using experiments conducted in computer simulations, real world robots, and in insects (desert ants). Thus, excellent skills in programming are essential. In addition expertise in modelling of sensory and neural systems, and/or machine learning and/or computer vision, and/or robot navigation methods such as SLAM are highly favourable. The chosen candidate will initially be responsible for investigating the information content of polarised light in relation to animal navigation before using the outcomes to develop a technical specification / design for manufacture of a novel robot sensor, thus circuit design and/or electronics skills are similarly desirable.

Interviews are scheduled to take place at the University of Edinburgh.

As an institutional Athena SWAN Bronze Award holder we are committed to advancing gender equality in STEM, therefore female applicants are strongly encouraged to apply.

Location:  Brayford
Salary:   From £26,829 per annum
Research Assistant salary from £26,829, Research Fellow salary from £32,004. This post is fixed term until 28th February 2018
Closing Date:   Thursday 19 January 2017
Interview Date:   Thursday 02 February 2017
Reference:  COS272B

Apply here.