[jobs] Two Postdoc Positions in AI and Robotics at Royal Holloway University of London

[sara.be...@gmail.com]

[Apologies for multiple copies of this email.]

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2 Postdoc Positions in AI and Robotics (Marine Robotics and Multi-Agent Path Finding) at Royal Holloway University of London

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Outstanding candidates in Artificial Intelligence and Robotics are invited to apply for two posts of Research Associate in the Department of Computer Science at Royal Holloway University of London.

The positions are funded by two grants awarded to Prof Sara Bernardini by Innovate UK (https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/innovate-uk), the UK’s Innovation Agency. The projects are as follows:

SoAR: Squads of Adaptive Robots

The project will be carried out by a consortium including industry (Sonardyne, Planet Ocean, and HydroSurv Unmanned Survey), research institutes (National Oceanography Centre) and end-users (Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult). SoAR is focused on delivering a fundamental shift in the use of marine robotics through the networking of heterogeneous fleets of Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUV) and uncrewed surface vehicles overseen by a fleet-level autonomy engine capable of adaptive mission planning. The project will develop and demonstrate adaptive, risk-aware mission planning and control for a heterogeneous fleet of robots underpinned by an ambitious autonomy engine providing adaptive decision-making. 

VersaTile – Transforming warehousing and distribution with industry-leading AI planning and system controls

The project will be undertaken jointly with the companies Tharsus, one of the UK's most advanced robotics companies, and JR Dynamics, an SME based in North-East England. The project stems from the significant pressure currently faced by warehousing and distribution operations to transform their systems and processes in response to increasing market demand and throughput, intense competition, and consumer preference for more variety, quicker delivery at a lower cost. The project will tackle this problem by creating and integrating an industry-leading AI multi-agent path planning capability and a critical infrastructure-scale control system. The project spans service robotics, high-frequency logistics, and AI-based control system development.

==== The Department ====

The Department is one of the top departments of Computer Science in the UK. In the most recent Research Excellence Framework (REF 2014), it scored 11th for the quality of our research output, with a third of the publications recognised as world-leading and a further half internationally excellent (87% in total). The Department is home to outstanding researchers in algorithms and complexity, artificial intelligence, machine learning, bioinformatics, and distributed and global computing.

==== The Applicant ====

The successful candidates will hold a PhD or equivalent, have a strong research record in Artificial Intelligence and/or Robotics and have a strong interest in practice-driven research. Experts in AI Planning, Path Planning, Multi-Agent Systems, Autonomous Navigation, and, in general, Autonomous Systems and Cognitive Robotics are particularly encouraged to apply. Experience in engaging with industry or contributing to outreach activities would also be valuable. The duties and responsibilities of these posts include:

• Conducting individual and collaborative research on the project's themes.
• Developing software based on the project's needs.
• Producing high-quality outputs for publication in high-profile journals or conference proceedings.
• Writing reports on the advancement of the project.

==== The Positions ====

The posts are based in Egham, Surrey, where the College is situated in a beautiful, leafy campus near Windsor Great Park and within 20-minute commuting distance from London, one of Europe’s most dynamic technology hubs. These are full-time and fixed-term posts (extensions are possible), available from January 2022 or as soon as possible thereafter.

==== To Apply ====

For an informal discussion about the posts, please get in touch with Prof Sara Bernardini (sara.be...@rhul.ac.uk, +44 1784 276792). To view further details of these posts, please visit www.sara-bernardini.com and https://jobs.royalholloway.ac.uk.

To apply for SoAR: https://jobs.royalholloway.ac.uk/Vacancy.aspx?id=3599&forced=2

Closing Date: Midnight, 19th November 2021 

To apply for VersaTile: https://jobs.royalholloway.ac.uk/Vacancy.aspx?ref=1121-457

Closing Date:  Midnight,  3rd January 2022  

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Sara Bernardini
Professor of Artificial Intelligence
Director of the MSc in Artificial Intelligence
Department of Computer Science 
Royal Holloway University of London

Office: Bedford 2-24 
Tel.: +44 1784 276792
Web: www.sara-bernardini.com