Post Doctoral Research Associate (Phenotyping Robotics) (Fixed Term) (COS727)

The University of Lincoln is seeking to appoint multiple Postdoctoral Research Associates (PDRA) within Lincoln Agri-Robotics (LAR), the world's first global centre of excellence in agricultural robotics, recently funded by UKRI's Research England. Applicants should hold a PhD or be near to completion and should be able to demonstrate an excellent track record in Robotics and Autonomous Systems or a related field, including but not limited to: plant phenotyping and/or sensing & perception. Specific experience in the agriculture domain is preferred but not required.

Lincoln Agri-Robotics (LAR) expands the successful interdisciplinary collaboration between two of the University’s leading research groups: the Lincoln Institute of Agri-Food Technology (LIAT) and the Lincoln Centre for Autonomous Systems (L-CAS). The new centre offers the perfect opportunity to make an impactful difference by deploying robotics to address the global challenges facing crop-based agriculture, such as climate change, population growth, political pressures affecting migration, and the demographics of an ageing population. 

Once in post, the PDRA will contribute to shaping the collective research portfolio, which includes contributing to the acquisition of external funding, helping to supervise PhD students, publishing in the highest quality journals and conferences, contributing to real-world applications with positive impacts on the wider society and economy, and conducting research in line with the targets set by LAR and the University of Lincoln. In addition, the PDRA may have opportunities to contribute to teaching activities on the MSc Robotics & Autonomous Systems and MSc Agri-Food Technology or professional development programmes, and in public engagement activities, such as demonstrations for university open days and industry visitors.

The post-holder will benefit from excellent facilities, equipment and ready-made links to our extensive network of industry partners across the agri-food chain. The new centre is based at the University’s 200-hectare Riseholme Campus, where researchers enjoy access to a working farm, woodlands, grasslands and watercourses, as well as our robotic fruit farm, including polytunnels and cold storage facilities. The University is also the lead institution for the new EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Agri-Food Robotics (AgriFoRwArdS), together with partners at the Universities of Cambridge and East Anglia. State-of-the-art equipment available for our research includes advanced robotic manipulators and mobile robots, such as Franka arms and a fleet of Thorvald robots; advanced sensing, imaging and camera technologies; and excellent links to industrial facilities and test environments.

Closing Date: 07 Feb 2020
Category: Research