Research Associate in Mechatronics

2 weeks ago


Durham, United Kingdom Durham University Full time

The Role

As the world’s most successful pollinators, bees play a huge part in every aspect of the ecosystem. Any decline in bee populations could pose a threat to global agriculture. In this context, the EU-funded Sensorbees project is developing and combining micro-robotic, biological and machine learning technologies into a system that can support the well-being of the honeybee colonies. Specifically, the micro-robotic system will operate inside of the honeybee hive. For instance, this multi-robot system will visually inspect comb cells and will interact with the content with its micro tools.

The successful applicant will be responsible for mechanical design, programming and developing controllers, as well as implementation and testing the robotic system and its appropriate frameworks. Therefore, the main task is the mechatronics design of the actuators and monitoring agent. The second important task will be the low-level programming. You will focus on development of compact circuits and electronics for new types of complex bio-hybrid (insect-robot) entities.

We anticipate it will necessitate close working with our European partners. You will not be constrained to using any available hardware and algorithm or approaches, and instead will have a creative approach to problem solving, exploring multiple potential techniques. Ideas will be verified on software systems (e.g. SOLIDWORKS, MATLAB, etc) and with real world tests inside of honeybees’ hive, and so, you will be willing to get involved in experimental work for real-world verification with biologists.

The project is an EU-H2020-FET funded collaboration between the University of Durham in the UK, the University of Graz in Austria, Czech Technical University in Prague, and Sant'Anna School of Advanced Studies in Italy. This role will involve close working with external partners. You will be expected to visit all of these institutions in the course of your work and will be based in the Biohybrid Robotics Lab at the Department of Computer Science, Durham University.

This post is fixed term for 24 months.

£37,099 to £44,263 per annum



  • Durham, Durham, United Kingdom Durham University Full time

    The RoleAs the world's most successful pollinators, bees play a huge part in every aspect of the ecosystem. Any decline in bee populations could pose a threat to global agriculture. In this context, the EU-funded Sensorbees project is developing and combining micro-robotic, biological and machine learning technologies into a system that can support the...


  • Durham, Durham, United Kingdom DURHAM UNIVERSITY Full time

    The RoleAs the world's most successful pollinators, bees play a huge part in every aspect of the ecosystem. Any decline in bee populations could pose a threat to global agriculture. In this context, the EU-funded Sensorbees project is developing and combining micro-robotic, biological and machine learning technologies into a system that can support the...


  • Durham, Durham, United Kingdom Durham University Full time

    Contract Duration: 24 monthsDurham University's Department of Archaeology is one of the UK's best Departments of Archaeology with an outstanding reputation for excellence in teaching, research and employability of our students. We are regularly ranked one of the top three Archaeology departments in the UK (e.g. Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021, The...


  • Durham, Durham, United Kingdom DURHAM UNIVERSITY Full time

    Durham University's Department of Archaeology is one of the UK's best Departments of Archaeology with an outstanding reputation for excellence in teaching, research and employability of our students. We are regularly ranked one of the top three Archaeology departments in the UK (e.g. Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021, The Times and Sunday Times Good...


  • Durham, Durham, United Kingdom DURHAM UNIVERSITY Full time

    The Role and Department Following recent expansion, Durham University History Department is now one of the largest centres in the UK for the study of History. We are consistently ranked amongst the top departments in the country by the Complete University Guide, the Times and Sunday Times, and the Guardian University Guide. We place research at the very...


  • Durham, Durham, United Kingdom Durham University Full time

    The Role and Department Following recent expansion, Durham University History Department is now one of the largest centres in the UK for the study of History. We are consistently ranked amongst the top departments in the country by the Complete University Guide, the Times and Sunday Times, and the Guardian University Guide. We place research at the very...


  • Durham, United Kingdom Durham University Full time

    **Postdoctoral Research Associate or Research Associate in Circuit and System Design for Bio-hybrid Systems** **(** **Job Number**: **23000357** **)** Department of Computer Science Grade 7: - £36,333 to £43,155 per annum Fixed Term - Full Time **Contract Duration***: 22 months **Contracted Hours per Week***: 35 **Working Arrangements***: We will...


  • Durham, Durham, United Kingdom DURHAM UNIVERSITY Full time

    The RoleApplications are invited for a Research Associate or Postdoctoral Research Associate to join our core software development team led by Prof Tobias Weinzierl. We particularly want to encourage candidates with a first degree (BSc or MSc) in sciences who consider staying in academia yet have a liking for software development, or PhDs who found...


  • Durham, United Kingdom Durham University Full time

    Applications are invited for a Postdoctoral Research Associate in the field of quantitative geomorphology who will work on cascading landslide and flood hazards in the Garhwal Himalaya, India. The research project “Dynamic Risks for Cascading Himalayan Hazards” is funded by NERC and the Indian Ministry of Earth Sciences and involves UK researchers at...


  • Durham, United Kingdom Durham University Full time

    Contract Duration: 24 months Durham University's Department of Archaeology is one of the UK's best Departments of Archaeology with an outstanding reputation for excellence in teaching, research and employability of our students. We are regularly ranked one of the top three Archaeology departments in the UK (e.g. Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021, The...


  • Durham, Durham, United Kingdom Durham University Full time

    Applications are invited for a Postdoctoral Research Associate in the field of quantitative geomorphology who will work on cascading landslide and flood hazards in the Garhwal Himalaya, India. The research project "Dynamic Risks for Cascading Himalayan Hazards" is funded by NERC and the Indian Ministry of Earth Sciences and involves UK researchers at...


  • Durham, United Kingdom Durham University Full time

    **Postdoctoral Research Associate** **(**Job Number**:24000042**)** Faculty of Business Grade 7: - £37,099 - £48,350 Fixed Term - Full Time **Contract Duration**: 12 months **Contracted Hours per Week**: 35 **Closing Date**: 28-Feb-2024, 5:59:00 PM **Disclosure and Barring Service Requirement**: Not Applicable. **Working at Durham University** A...


  • Durham, United Kingdom Durham University Full time

    The Role and Department Following recent expansion, Durham University History Department is now one of the largest centres in the UK for the study of History. We are consistently ranked amongst the top departments in the country by the Complete University Guide, the Times and Sunday Times, and the Guardian University Guide. We place research at the very...


  • Durham, United Kingdom Durham University Full time

    Contract Duration: 30 months The Role A 30-month fixed-term, full time Postdoctoral Research associate (PDRA) position is available at the Department of Psychology at Durham University. The successful candidate will join the research project - Age-based imitation bias throughout development, during daily interactions, and across cultures. This project is...


  • Durham, Durham, United Kingdom Durham University Full time

    Contract Duration: 30 monthsThe RoleA 30-month fixed-term, full time Postdoctoral Research associate (PDRA) position is available at the Department of Psychology at Durham University. The successful candidate will join the research project - Age-based imitation bias throughout development, during daily interactions, and across cultures. This project is led...


  • Durham, Durham, United Kingdom Durham University Full time

    Contract Duration: 12 MonthsWe are very excited to be offering an opportunity a Postdoctoral Research Associate (PDRA) (maternity cover) to join our research team. The team includes the co-applicants: Professor Ari Saranandom (Department of Biosciences), Professor Fuschia Sirois (Department of Psychology), Dr Ladan Cockshut (Assistant Professor for Research...


  • Durham, United Kingdom Durham University Full time

    **Postdoctoral Research Associate** **(** **Job Number**: **22002150** **)** Durham Law School Grade 7: - £35,333 - £42,155 per annum Fixed Term - Full Time **Contract Duration***: Mar 2023 - Feb 2026 **Contracted Hours per Week***: 35 **Closing Date***: 01-Mar-2023, 5:59:00 PM **Disclosure and Barring Service Requirement***: Not Applicable. **Job...


  • Durham, United Kingdom Durham University Full time

    **Postdoctoral Research Associate in the Theory of Ultracold Molecules** **(** **Job Number**: **23000758** **)** Department of Chemistry Grade 7: - £36,333 - £38,474 per annum Fixed Term - Full Time **Contract Duration***: 18 months **Contracted Hours per Week***: 35 **Closing Date***: 04-Jun-2023, 5:59:00 PM **Disclosure and Barring Service...


  • Durham, United Kingdom Durham University Full time

    **Postdoctoral Research Associate** **(** **Job Number**: **23000093** **)** Department of Geography Grade 7: - £35,333 - £37,474 per annum Fixed Term - Full Time **Contract Duration***: 33 months **Contracted Hours per Week***: 35 **Closing Date***: 19-Feb-2023, 5:59:00 PM **Disclosure and Barring Service Requirement***: Not Applicable. **Job...


  • Durham, United Kingdom Durham University Full time

    **Postdoctoral Research Associate in Archaeology** **(** **Job Number**: **23000756** **)** Department of Archaeology Grade 7: - £37,474 Fixed Term - Full Time **Contract Duration***: 2 years **Contracted Hours per Week***: 35 **Closing Date***: 13-Jun-2023, 5:59:00 PM **Disclosure and Barring Service Requirement***: Not Applicable. **Job...