Skip to main content

This job has expired

Faraday Institution Research Fellow - Robotics and Computer Vision

Job Details

Job Purpose

A Post-Doctoral Research Fellow is sought to create and contribute to the creation of knowledge by undertaking a specified range of activities within an established research programme and/or specific research project. Applications are welcome from roboticists with demonstrated expertise in vision, or dedicated vision experts who also have ability and interest to collaborate and integrate with robotics experts. We need people who have the necessary skills and knowledge to apply the latest advances in vision, deep learning and associated areas, to practical robotics problems (especially vision-guided robotic manipulation using 3D point-cloud data).

The University of Birmingham Extreme Robotics Lab, is one of the leading university robotics labs in Europe dedicated to practical applications of robotics and AI to extreme environments:

http://www.birmingham.ac.uk/research/activity/metallurgy-materials/robotics/index.aspx

Extreme environments are those which are too hazardous for humans to enter, and where robots must be used to carry out complex tasks remotely. In particular we work very closely with the nuclear agencies of multiple countries, to develop robots for solving difficult nuclear decommissioning problems, to help remediate the environment for future generations.

The post holder will work on the ReLiB Faraday initiative project:

www.birmingham.ac.uk/research/activity/energy/research/centre-strategic-elements-critical-materials/future-of-batteries/recycling-lithium-ion-batteries.aspx

This project is about vision-guided robotic disassembly of electric vehicle battery packs, to enable separation of materials for recycling.

The main purpose of this Research Fellow position will be to develop, implement and demonstrate novel methods for Computer Vision, and assist robotics engineers with linking these novel vision methods with advanced robot control systems. The RFs will be responsible for key deliverables of major national and international projects, as part of a large and internationally recognised robotics research team, with strong collaborations with industry. in addition to 2D and 3D robotic vision, there is also possible scope for novel work on multi-sensor fusion, combining conventional point-cloud and RGB data with other kinds of sensors, including thermal imaging devices, radiation sensors, and devices such as Raman spectroscopy and XRF sensors to aid materials classification.

We also have strong links with other industries, including the UK subsidiary of KUKA (located close to the university), manufacturing industry, and increasing involvement in robotic recycling of complex waste streams. We also have close collaboration with venture capital investors in these areas.

There is thus significant scope for industry collaboration, patenting and commercialisation of novel technologies, as well as carrying out state-of-the-art academic research across a wide range of computer vision, machine learning, AI and robotics research areas.

The post holder will work within specified research grants and projects, operating within an area of specialism. They will collaborate with team members with different areas of expertise to their own. They will analyse and interpret research findings and results and assist with mentoring and training PhD students, interns and/or Masters-level research students.

 

The UoB robotics team are collectively working on:

  • Robotic grasping and manipulation
  • Planning and reasoning for fixed and/or mobile manipulators.
  • Robotic vehicles and navigation.
  • Robot dynamics and control.
  • Computer Vision, machine learning and AI.

The Research Fellow should demonstrate strong expertise in at least one of these areas, and also be willing and able to assist with combining and integrating work from at least one other of these areas. In particular we seek new team members with expertise in vision, but with a heavy emphasis on applying state-of-the-art vision methods to robotics.

 

Person Specification

  • High honours degree in a numerical discipline, or equivalent experience.
  • Post-graduate level knowledge of mathematics and algorithms for computer vision and relevant machine learning methods.
  • A PhD in Computer Vision and or robotics with a significant vision component, or equivalent experience.
  • Demonstrated expertise and experience in 3D vision, i.e. working with point-cloud data and devices, is especially desirable.
  • Strong programming skills, including extensive knowledge and experience in C++. Matlab, Python, JAVA also desirable.
  • Strong mathematics skills, research skills, and knowledge of state-of-the-art computer vision, deep learning and AI literature.
  • Ability to use OpenCV, PCL and other relevant open-source vision software libraries. ROS experience may also be useful, but ability to combine vision libraries with our lab's bespoke C++ robot control software library is also important.
  • Ability to collaborate with a team of experts, deliver a practical, working real-time vision/sensor-guided robotics demo with cameras, sensors, and high-end robotics hardware.
  • Ability to work independently and use initiative to develop own research goals and ideas.
  • Outstanding time management skills - ability to keep an extremely ambitious project moving according to strict deadlines.

 

Desirable

  • Experience of working with 3D point-cloud data
  • Post-doctoral or other practical experience (e.g. a project in industry)

Company

Global Academy Jobs works with over 250 universities worldwide to promote academic mobility and international research collaboration. Global problems need international solutions. Our jobs board and emails reach the academics and researchers who can help.

"The globalisation of higher education continues apace, driving in turn the ongoing development of the global knowledge economy, striving for solutions to the world’s problems and educating a next generation of leaders and contributors."

Company info
Website

Get job alerts

Create a job alert and receive personalized job recommendations straight to your inbox.

Create alert