UNIVERSITY OF NOTTINGHAM
RECRUITMENT ROLE PROFILE FORM
Job Title:
Research Associate/Fellow – Intelligent Robotics
School/Department:
Faculty of Engineering - Institute for Advanced Manufacturing Centre for Aerospace Manufacturing (Sponsored by Airbus)
Salary:
£25,769 - £37,768 per annum, depending on skills and experience,
(minimum £28,982 with relevant PhD). Salary progression beyond
this scale is subject to performance
Job Family and Level:
R&T Level 4
Contract Status:
This post will be offered on fixed term contract for a period of
2 years.
Hours of Work:
36.25 hours per week, Full time.
Location:
University Park Campus
Reporting to:
Centre Manager
The Purpose of the New Role:
To focus on the development of advanced automation systems, intelligent robotics and context aware
end-effector systems in support of the University of Nottingham’s investment in a Future Automated
Aircraft Assembly Demonstrator. Specifically, it will involve accelerating the impact of our research into
domains such as autonomous vehicles. To fulfil this, the role-holder will engage with an ambitious
platform development testing programme that is robust, well-maintained, well-documented and
managed. The role will also involve the evaluation of the latest technical solutions available on the
market today and build upon these to develop next generation systems for targeted end-user and
sector requirements. It will be part of the researchers’ responsibility to interact with both Research
Partners and Industrial Partners (as well as their supply chain) to drive the development and
implementation of these new technologies.
Main Duties and Responsibilities:
 Develop industrial prototype systems, perform extensive testing & evaluation of the systems
against set requirements.
 Maintain and develop our robotics hardware infrastructure and support its application in new
domains including autonomous vehicles.
 Interact with the Research Partners and Industrial Partners (and their supply chain) to establish
industrial requirements & specifications and drive the development of new & innovative systems
based on customer requirements (potentially spending a significant amount of time at partner
sites).
 Reporting to key stakeholders for technical reviews, project planning and reporting (as required).
 Support the exploitation of results through the identification of new IP and/or publications.
 Participate and present at relevant meetings.
 Any other duties appropriate to the grade and role of the post holder.
Knowledge, Skills, Qualifications & Experience
Essential
Qualifications/
 Hold or about to obtain PhD
Education
(or equivalent) in engineering,
physics, computer science or
related subject.
Skills/Training
 Detailed understanding of
technologies and science
affecting advanced assembly
systems
 Knowledge of one, or more, of

Desirable
University degree in aerospace related
engineering
 Knowledge of one, or more, of the
following:
o Process capability assessment and
reliability testing
o Design methods
the following:
o Robotics and automation
control
o Digital engineering
o Smart autonomous
systems
o Flexible reconfigurable
systems
o Evaluation of future
systems concepts and of
integration challenges
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
Experience

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
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
Project management and leadership skills

Relevant experience in any of the
following:
o Process Benchmarking and
Requirements Capture
o Manufacturing, Assembly and
Metrology Processes
Excellent written, verbal and
presentation skills.
Proven ability to work as part
of a team and excellent
efficiency/time management
skills.
Ability to plan and conduct
high quality research.
Ability to carry out systematic
R&D projects with strong
industrial drive
Sound understanding of one or
more of:
o Automated
manufacturing and
assembly processes
o Control system
development
o Autonomous robotics
o Intelligent robotics
System engineering involving
the coupling or embedding of
large software projects to
hardware
Significant programming
experience of one or more of:
.NET
C++
PLC Control
Systems
o Robot control
software
Regular user of CAD/CAM
software in electrical or
mechanical domains
Understanding of
documentation, testing and
peer review
In-depth knowledge and
understanding of research
area and relevant methods.
Record of research
publications in relevant area.
Previous experience in
delivering research standard
reports.
Organisation & time
management skills.
o
o
o
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Research experience in crossdisciplinary projects
Experience of proposal writing
Experience of working on large
research projects with multiple
partners
Experience in delivering industrial
standard reports

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Personal
Attributes


Other

Interpersonal &
communication skills.
Experience of working with UK
and EU industries
Team player
Ability to work unsupervised
to tight deadlines
Able to travel frequently
throughout the UK and EU as
required
 Proactive outlook
Decision Making:
i) Taken independently by the role holder;
Day-to-day processes including:
- Organisation of research
- Investigation of working methods
- Identification of research deliverable priorities
- Ensuring quality of research deliverables
- Assessing risks and corrective action
- Liaison with internal resources
- Development of delivery project plans
ii) Taken in collaboration with others;
Agreement of project delivery plans
Research direction – form and content
Identification and liaison with external stakeholders
Identification of foci for published research findings in peer-reviewed journals and conferences
Structure of research reports and papers
Identification of areas for future research
Development of proposals
iii) Referred to the appropriate line manager by the role holder;
Decisions on major deviations to project plans
Research and strategic direction
Dissemination strategy
Budgetary decisions
Risk management
Additional Information
Due to the nature of this role, the candidate will be required to gain the appropriate level of security
clearance associated with a major aerospace company prior to any formal job offer.
Applicants will be considered on an equal basis, subject to the relevant permission to work in the UK as defined by
the requirements set out by the UK Border and Immigration Agency. Please visit
http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/ for more information.
ENG341315