About this role
Job reference: SAE-032071 Salary: £37,694 - £46,049 per annum depending on experience Faculty/Organisational Unit: Science and Engineering Location: RAICo One, Whitehaven, West Cumbria Employment type: Fixed Term Division/Team: Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Hours Per Week: Full time (1 FTE) Closing date (DD/MM/YYYY): 19/08/2026 Contract Duration: Fixed term for 12 months School/Directorate: School of Engineering
Research Associate – Small UAV Automation
We are seeking a motivated and collaborative individual to join our team as a Research Associate – Small UAV Automation. This role offers an exciting opportunity to contribute to the development of autonomous capabilities for a small unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) with a footprint of less than six inches. The project will explore the design, development, and utilisation of an external computing platform to enable advanced autonomous capabilities for miniature UAVs.
You will be responsible for:
Identification of the sensing requirements and system configuration for both the UAV and the ground-based computing station. Design, development, and integration of a prototype system incorporating the selected sensors, communication infrastructure, and autonomous control architecture. Experimental testing and validation of the prototype through a simple autonomous mission representative of the intended operational environment. Integrating complementary areas of expertise to advance the autonomy of miniature UAVs through the use of external computing platforms and novel sensing solution.
We welcome candidates who bring diverse perspectives, experiences, and approaches to their work.
About You
We encourage applications from individuals with a wide range of backgrounds and experiences. You should demonstrate:
Essential Criteria:
Experience in SLAM Experience in aerial robot design and development Experience in machine learning Experience in 3D simulation Experience in PX4 firmware
Desirable Criteria:
Experience with ROS and/or ROS 2. Ability to disseminate research to non-technical audience. Ability to develop user experience front-end solutions. Interest in robotic autonomy
We value transferable skills and real-world experience as much as formal qualifications.
Our benefits include:
Generous employer contribution pension 29 days annual leave plus bank holidays, along with Christmas closure Ride to work and EV car scheme available
For more information, please see University of Manchester Benefits. You can also find information on our Flexible and Hybrid working here.
We are an open place of enquiry and challenge. We embrace and celebrate difference, diversity and debate, and we pride ourselves on being a place of education, learning and community where we are able, within the law, to question and test received wisdom, express new ideas and explore controversial or unpopular topics and opinions. Find out more from our Freedom of Speech Policy.
Enquiries about the role, shortlisting and interviews
Name: Pawel Ladosz
Email Address: [email protected]
General enquiries and administrative support
Technical and job portal support
https://jobseekersupport.jobtrain.co.uk/support/home
Applications close at midnight on the closing date.