[Jobs] Multiple Postdoc & PhD Positions in Robot Learning For Scientific Discovery – University of Liverpool, UK
gabriell...@gmail.com
Dear Colleagues,
We are seeking researchers (Postdocs and PhDs) who are excited to push the boundaries of robotics in scientific discovery!
Our research focuses on robot learning for laboratory automation, with a particular focus on the challenges within chemistry labs. We aim to advance autonomous chemistry labs through collaborative, adaptive robotic systems that work in physical labs under real-world uncertainty, capable of working seamlessly alongside human scientists to accelerate scientific discovery.
We are particularly looking for candidates interested in:
End-to-End Experiment Resilience: Developing fundamental robotic methods that allow autonomous chemists to sequence learned skills and dynamically adapt workflows in the face of hardware failures, environmental shifts, or changing chemical protocols.
Robot Skill Learning: Advancing robust skill acquisition and representation for complex manipulation tasks required in experimental chemistry.
Simulation Frameworks: Developing high-fidelity laboratory simulation environments to accelerate training and bridge the sim-to-real gap in lab automation.
Safe Human-Robot Collaboration: Designing embodied AI systems capable of safe collaboration with human scientists in shared laboratory spaces.
Successful candidates will contribute to major, well-funded research initiatives within the UK's flagship AI hub in chemistry (AIchemy) network:
AIchemy's Frontier Fund Grant on Human-AI Teaming in Chemistry: (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bTR4rWicdRc)
EPSRC Centre-to-Centre Grant: Postdocs will have the opportunity to collaborate on a major international project on asynchronous AI-led optimisation, working closely with Imperial College London and the Acceleration Consortium.
Cross-Institutional PhD Programs: The PhD student will benefit from joint supervision and collaboration through a University of Liverpool and University of Edinburgh partnership focusing on robotic resilience.
You will be part of a world-class research and innovation community at the University of Liverpool and the broader AIchemy hub, including:
The AIchemy Hub, an EPSRC-funded national centre dedicated to integrating AI and physical AI into experimental and computational chemistry.
An expansive network of global academic and industrial partners.
State-of-the-art laboratory facilities equipped with advanced mobile manipulators, robotic arms, and automated synthesis platforms at the Materials Innovation Factory (https://www.liverpool.ac.uk/materials-innovation-factory/) and Digital Innovation Facility (https://digitalinnovationfacility.com/).
We are looking for candidates with a strong background in Robotics, Robot Learning, AI/Machine Learning, or related areas (no prior chemistry background is required for these roles!).
Technical Skills: Proficiency in Python, PyTorch, ROS, and C++ is expected.
Experience: Prior work with robot learning, simulation frameworks, or real robot hardware is desirable.
Please review the specific role requirements and apply directly through the links below (or via https://aichemy.ac.uk/careers/):
PhD Studentship – From Single Robotic Chemist Action to End-to-End Experiment Resilience (Liverpool/Edinburgh): https://www.liverpool.ac.uk/courses/from-single-robotic-chemist-action-to-end-to-end-experiment-resilience
Postdoctoral Research Associate – International asynchronous AI-led chemical optimisation (Liverpool/Imperial/Acceleration Consortium): https://www.jobs.ac.uk/job/DRL536/postdoctoral-research-associate-grade-7
Postdoctoral Research Associate – AIchemy Frontier Fund (Liverpool/York/Sheffield): https://www.jobs.ac.uk/job/DRL536/postdoctoral-research-associate-grade-7
I will also be at ICRA 2026 and would be very happy to have informal chats with prospective candidates to discuss how your research interests align with our lab! 🙂
Kind regards,
Gabriella
Dr Gabriella Pizzuto