UNIVERSITY OF NOTTINGHAM
RECRUITMENT ROLE PROFILE FORM
Job Title:
Senior Research Fellow in Robotics Systems for In-Situ Operations
School/Department:
Faculty of Engineering, Division of Manufacturing & Process
Technologies - Rolls-Royce University Technology Centre in
Manufacturing
Salary:
£37,394 - £45,954 per annum, depending on skills and experience
(salary progression beyond this scale is subject to performance)
Job Family and Level:
Research & Teaching Level 5
Contract Status:
This post is available immediately and will be offered on a fixed-term
contract for a period of one year
Hours of Work:
36.25 hours per week - full-time
Location:
The University of Nottingham, Faculty of engineering university park
campus, and working within the MCM Group and Rolls-Royce university
technology centre (UTC) in manufacturing technology
Responsible to:
Professor Dragos Axinte
Purpose of the New Role:
The University of Nottingham MCM research group and Rolls-Royce UTC is looking to recruit an
experienced all-round Robotic engineer to contribute to existing projects, develop research
opportunities, and take a leadership role within the expanding research groups. In particular, to
coordinate and carry out research into innovative mechatronic systems for in-situ repair/maintenance
as well as research to control hyper-redundant robots to repair aero-engine components.
Main Duties and Responsibilities:
 To closely collaborate in the on-going development of the MiRoR FP7 research project and broader
in-situ repair/maintenance programme; this includes, developing and validating robotised machine
tool systems.
 To conduct high quality individual or collaborative research, to develop novel robotic or
mechatronic systems, with a particular focus on hyper-redundant systems.
 Organize and conduct trials to evaluate the performance of prototype systems developed through
controlled experiments.
 To conduct theoretical mathematical models and control algorithms to be implemented in real time
applications for robotic/mechatronic systems.
 To simulate robotic/mechatronic behaviours to evaluate the functionality of new mechatronic
designs using different software such as: Matlab, OpenGL, PhysX, Bullet, etc.
 To lead and design of hardware and software architectures for high/low level control modules.
 Either working individually or as part of a larger team, be responsible for the delivery of a variety
of robotic solutions taken from concept stage through to pre-production.
 Generate new intellectual understanding and intellectual property.
 Plan, develop and conduct research objectives, projects and proposals, including contribution to
the direction of research programmes within the group.
 Manage projects relating to own area of work, collaborate on projects with colleagues, and coordinate the work of others. Taking a leadership role in local or collaborative projects particularly
related to the areas of advanced robotics and on-platform repair activities.
 Manage or monitor assets and budgets assisted to projects.
 To provide general support, administrative to technical guidance, on the research work being
undertaken within the group.
 Co-supervise PhD projects related to areas of research expertise. Supervise and examine research
projects undertaken by undergraduate and master level students.
 Facilitate the growth of both the MCM group and UTC through actively seeking funding sources,
leading research proposals, and ensuring research excellence.
 Disseminate research results by publishing in internationally respected peer-reviewed journals,
presenting at international meetings, conferences and seminars.


To write reports corresponding to the development of the research work undertaken as part of the
deliverables of the funding company or European/UK funding bodies.
Operate within the safety systems, IT code of practice etc. as required by the Division,
Department and University.
This job description may be subject to revision following discussion with the person appointed and
forms part of the contract of employment.
Person Specification
Knowledge, Skills, Qualifications & Experience:
Essential
Desirable
Qualifications &
 Good undergraduate degree
 Higher degree (MPhil/ MEng/ MSc)
Education
(BEng/ BSc) or equivalent in
or equivalent in
Robotics or automation
Robotics/Automation engineering
engineering or in a closely related
or in a closely related discipline.
discipline.
 A doctoral degree (PhD) or
equivalent of relevance to Robotics
or Mechatronic subject base.
Experience
 Considerable experience in a
 Research experience in the areas
suitable academic and/or industrial
of control, modelling and hardware
role.
design.
 Substantial Robotic/mechatronic
 Experience of designing.
design experience.
robot/mechatronic systems.
 Strong experience in mathematical  Experience in real time control
modelling of kinematic and
systems of serial or parallel
dynamic systems.
kinematic robots.
 Substantial prior relevant
 Prior experience of electronic and
experience in academic research
software design.
(e.g. robotic applications for
aerospace).
 Experience of telerobotics and
 Research experience in the areas
hyper-redundant robots.
of Robotics, tele-robotics and
mechatronic systems.
 Experience of designing hardware
 Research or industrial experience
and software for mechatronic
in control mechatronic systems.
systems.
 Experience of producing and
 Previous experience of managing
developing small robots.
or leading involvement in,
 Practical experimental experience.
European framework projects
 Experience of project management
and delivering projects to
deadlines
IT Skills
 Highly skilled in the use of using
Experience of using:
Matlab and C/C++
 C/C++
 Relevant experience using,
 Matlab
OpenGL, Bullet and PhysX libraries  Labview modules: FPGA and real
 Good general IT skills, including a
time
good working knowledge of word,
PowerPoint, Excel, Outlook, etc.
Knowledge & Skills
 Strong knowledge base in
 Ability to manage the realisation of
mechanical modelling, electrical/
kinematic and dynamic modelling
electronic design and mechatronic
of serial, parallel and hyperengineering.
redundant systems.
 Ability to produce mathematical
 Track record of robotic analysis for
models.
position control
 Ability to produce hardware
 Ability to implement new hardware
architectures for high and low level
architectures according to different
control
real time requirements.
 Knowledge of control algorithms
 Knowledge of methods and
for hyper-redundant systems.
analysis to control high number of
 Excellent creative problem solving
degrees of freedom.
skills with a track record in
 Skilled in research methods and
producing control algorithms and
conducting experiments.
real time control implementation.
 Skilled in research methods to
Essential
 Ability to develop new hardware or
modelling methods and see them
developed into fruition.
 Ability and willingness to do both
hands on practical research and
project management and
oversight.
 Record of publications (journal
papers)
 Ability to present to a variety of
audiences.
 Able to manage, or lead
involvement in, collaborative
research projects involving of
multiple institutions.
Team working and
Managerial
Experience
Personal Attributes
/ Other
 Ability to manage own work.
 Experience of working to project
deadlines.
 Ability to work well in an
integrated project team.
 Experience of building and
developing a team.
 Ability to mentor and provide
guidance to team members.
 Innovative and creative thinker.
 Dedicated and hardworking with a
good working attitude for a
demanding role.
 Excellent planning and
organisational skills with an ability
to ensure deadlines are met.
 Excellent communication skills;
able to effectively communicate
technical information to a variety
of audiences.
 Ability to work in a team as well as
on own initiative.
Desirable
validate control algorithms of
mechatronic systems
 Experience of providing guidance
and supervision of doctoral, postgraduate or undergraduate
research projects.
 Experience of a range of project
management approaches.
 Have a genuine interest in
engineering.
 Desire to develop expertise in this
area of engineering research.
Due to the requirements of the UK Border and Immigration Agency, applicants who are not UK or EEA
nationals and whose immigration status entitles them to work without restriction in the UK will be
considered on an equal basis with UK and EEA nationals. Other non-UK or non-EEA nationals whose
employment will require permission to work subject to a resident labour market test may only be
considered if there are no suitable UK or EEA national candidates for the post. Please visit
http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/ for more information.
Informal enquiries may be addressed to Prof. D Axinte, tel: 0115 951 4117 or Email:
dragos.axinte@nottingham.ac.uk. Please note that applications sent directly to this Email address will
not be accepted.