PhD opportunity: SPARCS: Sample Preparation with Autonomous Robots in Constrained Spaces

The Robotics for Extreme Environments Group invites applications for a PhD studentship to develop (semi-) autonomous control of a robotic manipulator in a challenging environment.

The successful candidate will work at the RAICo1 facility in Cumbria, where they will have the opportunity to work closely with robotics and vision experts from the University of Manchester, as well as industrial experts from Sellafield Ltd. and the UK Atomic Energy Authority.

The project will build on work that the University of Manchester has been involved in, related to the development and use of robotic systems in challenging environments, and in particular the characterisation, monitoring, and decommissioning of nuclear facilities.

The research aim is to develop safe, assured technologies that utilise model-based control, combined with additional sensorial information that is processed through a machine learning element. This project will cover the following research topics:

• Development of machine-learning-based task understanding/recognition modules using proprioceptive (eg. encoders) and exteroceptive sensors (eg. cameras) to autonomously describe, understand, and interact with the environment.
• Combine the understanding of the environment with model-based strategies to develop partial/full automation that includes robust safety elements.
• Deploy the developed robotic manipulator system onto an existing remote glovebox system, with the manipulator being used to replace a human hand in this environment.

To apply
To apply for this opportunity, search ‘raico1’ in the keywords field here: https://lnkd.in/ehdqC-mD