Would you like to be part of an ambitious new robotics project tackling invasive species in critical national infrastructure? Do you have a background in robotics? Are you motivated by applying advanced robotic systems to real‑world environmental challenges?
As a key member of the Real Robotics Lab, you will lead the development of innovative robotic concepts, systems, and software for deployment in challenging water infrastructure environments. The Real Robotics Lab manages over £3 million in current research projects, including robotics for infrastructure inspection and repair, advanced robot design and fabrication, and autonomous systems for environmental resilience.
This role forms part of an ARIA Opportunity Seed within the Engineering Ecosystem Resilience programme. The programme aims to explore bold, unconventional approaches to strengthening the resilience of ecological and engineered systems across the UK.
You will design, implement, and test early stage robotic approaches for detecting and removing invasive zebra mussels inside raw water transfer pipelines and related submerged infrastructure. Working closely with project partners, you will contribute to sensing and modelling studies, hardware and software development, systems integration, and early feasibility demonstrations, delivering rapid prototypes and benchtop trials aligned with ARIA’s fast paced, exploratory R&D model.
This role will be based on the University campus, with scope for it to be undertaken in a hybrid manner. We are open to discussing flexible working arrangements.
To explore the post further or for any queries you may have, please contact:
Dr George Jackson-Mills, Doctor of Robotics for Inspection and Maintenance
Email: G.Jackson-Mills@leeds.ac.uk
Please note that this post may be suitable for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker visa route but first-time applicants might need to qualify for salary concessions. For more information, please visit the Government’s Skilled Worker visa page.
For research and academic posts, we will consider eligibility under the Global Talent visa. For more information, please visit the Government’s page, Apply for the Global Talent visa.
What we offer in return
- 26 days holiday plus approx.16 Bank Holidays/days that the University is closed by custom (including Christmas) – That’s 42 days a year!
- Generous pension scheme options plus life assurance.
- Health and Wellbeing: Discounted staff membership options at The Edge, our state-of-the-art Campus gym, with a pool, sauna, climbing wall, cycle circuit, and sports halls.
- Personal Development: Access to courses run by our Organisational Development & Professional Learning team.
- Access to on-site childcare, shopping discounts and travel schemes are also available.
And much more!