Research Associate in Underwater Swarm Robotics for Basking Shark Monitoring

We are looking for a research associate to design and build a swarm or underwater robots to image basking sharks in the wild. The candidate will then be expected to join field work to deploy the swarm in reality.

Sharks feed in impressive and diverse ways, from eating large prey to feeding on very hard foods to filter feeding on massive scales. The architectures and materials of their tissues influence these ecologies: our prestigious HFSP-funded project with Trinity College Dublin, Stanford, and UCL focuses on the anatomy and mechanics of feeding structures through a multi-lab and multidisciplinary collaboration, using lab and field work, physical and digital simulation, and robotics.

The Hauert Lab's main expertise is engineering swarms across scales, from nanoparticles for cancer research to large robot swarms for environmental monitoring. You will be joining a vibrant and supportive community of cross-disciplinary researchers spanning, physics, life sciences, robotics, mechanical engineering and more. Support includes regular one-on-one meetings, weekly swarm lunches, training and teaching opportunities, and encouragements to pursue outreach activities. You will also join the Bristol Robotics Laboratory (http://brl.ac.uk/), one of the largest robotics labs in Europe with state-of-the-art facilities including workshops and dedicated technical support.

The candidate should have demonstrated expertise in underwater robotics, swarm robotics, imaging of fluid dynamics or marine life biology. We expect candidates to be able to fully design or augment off-the-shelf robotic solutions (hardware and software) for real world deployments. We accept applicants with a wide variety of backgrounds and skillsets.

The candidate is also expected to work well in large cross-disciplinary steams, to contribute to the life of the swarm lab, present work externally in public and academic settings, and be comfortable with field work.

The role is for one year starting 1 Dec 2020, extendable for 3 years total. Part-time/Flexible working is also welcome.

We welcome applications from all members of our community and are particularly encouraging those from diverse groups, such as members of the LGBT+ and BAME communities, to join us.