Robotics Research Scientist

The University of Essex in partnership with Wilkin and Sons offers an exciting opportunity to work as a robotics research scientist on a project called ‘ABC’ funded by DEFRA’s flagship Farming Innovation Programme.

ABC stands for Adaptive, Bio-mimetic Cost-effective robots for the next generation of smart farming. Working in this project, you will have the opportunity to transform how food is grown, how people work in such environments and make advanced agriobotics technologies accessible to everyone!

Working with a world class team, you will help address the critical challenges of labour shortage, food security, climate change by developing a cost-effective robotic fleet that can be deployed by large-scale growers in the UK and worldwide.

This post is for 3 years with first 18 months at University of Essex (Agrifood robotics lab) and the potential to continue for a further 18 months at Wilkin and Sons Tiptree.

Please note, this post is subject to funding being received.

DUTIES OF THE POST

The duties of the post will include: 

• Designing, developing, and testing the prototype low-cost ABC strawberry picking robot
• Develop algorithms/software to 2D/3D vision and robot arm motion planning for picking.
• Design low-cost 3D printable Gripper/Cutter (adapting further our existing prototypes)
• Embed the technology within Wilkin and Sons via a variety of upskilling and knowledge transfer dissemination events and meetings.
• Deploy/Test ABC framework on other harvesting tasks (Tomatoes, Onions) to demonstrate adaptability of the solution to other Gowers/crop types
• Participate in academic and/or industrial conferences or other events – to disseminate and present research to a wide community.
• Publish peer-reviewed articles in high-impact journals in conjunction with academics in the robotics lab and Wilkin and Sons.

KEY REQUIREMENTS

• A first degree in Robotics/Control Engineering/Computer Science
• A higher degree in Robotics/Control Engineering/Computer Science or equivalent industry experience
• Demonstrable experience working with robots – e.g. service robots, industrial robots, cobots.
• Advanced knowledge of Python and C++ programming with experience of programming robots
• Knowledge of CAD tools – such as Solid works, Mechatronics for 3D prototyping
• Advanced knowledge or experience in ROS and large-scale software development and system integration
• Experience of TensorFlow and/or using Machine Learning libraries (CNNs, GANS)
• Experience of deep learning algorithms applied to object detection, localisation
• Experience working in a laboratory – and devising, undertaking and recording testing and analysis experiments.

The job pack, which contains a full job description and person specification which outlines the full duties, skills, qualifications and experience needed for this role plus more information relating to the post. We recommend you read this information carefully before making an application.  Applications should be made on-line, but if you would like advice or help in making an application, or need information in a different format, please contact resourcing@essex.ac.uk.

Please use the 'Apply' button to read further information about this role including the full job description and person specification which outlines the full duties, skills, qualifications and experience needed for this role. You will also find details of how to make your application here. Our website http://www.essex.ac.uk contains more information about the University of Essex.

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