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Job Title: Research Associate in Swarm Robot Localisation, Mapping and Inspection
Posting Start Date: 09/07/2026
Job Id: 2771
School/Department: Electrical & Electronic Engineering
Work Arrangement: Full Time (Hybrid)
Contract Type: Fixed-term
Salary per annum (£): £38,784 - £39,906
Closing Date: 05/08/2026
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The University of Sheffield is a remarkable place to work. Our people are at the heart of everything we do. Their diverse backgrounds, abilities and beliefs make Sheffield a world-class university.
We offer a fantastic range of benefits including a highly competitive annual leave entitlement (with the ability to purchase more), a generous pensions scheme, flexible working opportunities, a commitment to your development and wellbeing, a wide range of retail discounts, and much more.
Overview
We are seeking an experienced researcher to develop decentralised swarm mapping and localisation algorithms for underground pipe operations as part of an international research programme funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC). The programme is developing machine intelligence for teams of autonomous robots working in buried water infrastructure.
You will work on the design of methods that enable robot swarms to explore pipe networks, share information, support anomaly detection, and coordinate reporting and dispatch decisions in environments with limited communication, sensing and power. The role also includes validating these methods through simulations and physical robot experiments. The development of uncertainty aware methods, such as Gaussian processes with learning capabilities is essential, including data association and other Bayesian methods.
You will join a collaborative research environment at the University of Sheffield, working across the School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Centre for Machine Intelligence and Sheffield Robotics with international partners including TU Darmstadt, MIT and Boston University. There is an opportunity for extensive international travel to work closely with our overseas partners and to present research to peers at key international conferences. You will help translate ambitious ideas into robust algorithms and convincing experimental demonstrations. You will also contribute to the strategic direction of this research area, support publications and project coordination, and help develop future funding applications and collaboration opportunities.
We are looking for someone with a PhD in robotics, computer science, control, AI or a closely related field, and a strong background in swarm robotics, multi-robot systems or distributed autonomous systems. You should be able to work with a high degree of independence, contribute to collaborative leadership, and develop innovative solutions to technically challenging problems.
Main duties and responsibilities
Develop novel decentralised swarm algorithms for mapping in underground pipe operations, with particular focus on exploration, collective decision-making, information sharing, reporting and robot navigation.
Develop sensor data fusion algorithms that are an essential element of the joint robot mapping tasks in the presence of data origin uncertainties. Knowledge of Bayesian approaches such as Gaussian process regression, particle filters, Bayesian networks, graph-based approaches. Probabilistic -based uncertainty quantification is also essential.
Support the design, implementation and evaluation of bio-inspired, optimisation-based and machine-learning-enabled methods that enable robot teams to operate under constraints on communication, sensing, computation and power.
Develop and maintain high-quality research software for simulation, computer vision-based algorithms (with optical videos, Lidar and other data), testing and deployment on robotic platforms, using reproducible and well-documented development practices.
Support the development of centralised and decentralised algorithms for the swarm of robots performing underground inspections.
Support the planning and delivery of simulation studies and laboratory experiments to validate swarm algorithms, including coordinating their integration with related mapping, sensing and robotic platform activities across the wider programme.
Analyse and interperate simulation and experimental data, using the findings to direct method refinement and inform project priorities, research decisions and longer-term development.
Determine research objectives and develop, implement and adapt a programme of research in line with project aims, milestones and emerging opportunities.
Contribute to the strategic direction and day-to-day coordination of this area of research, including planning work over several months ahead to meet project deadlines, publication targets and collaboration milestones.
Work closely with academic staff, research colleagues and international partners, including international visits to support delivery of shared research objectives, project outputs and reports.
Prepare high-quality publications for leading journals and conferences, and present findings to academic, industry and other stakeholder audiences.
Supervise or co-supervise undergraduate and postgraduate project students and, where appropriate, contribute to the support or day-to-day guidance of research staff working in related areas.
Contribute to the development of research proposals and funding applications, identify opportunities for follow-on funding, and support the growth of research partnerships and impact activity.
Contribute to the effective management of research resources, including time, equipment, materials, data and project-related budgets, in line with funder and University requirements.
Carry out other duties, commensurate with the grade and remit of the post
Person Specification
Our diverse community of staff and students recognises the unique abilities, backgrounds, and beliefs of all. We foster a culture where everyone feels they belong and is respected. Even if your past experience doesn't match perfectly with this role's criteria, your contribution is valuable, and we encourage you to apply. Please ensure that you reference the application criteria in the application statement when you apply.
Criteria
Essential or desirable
Stage(s) assessed at
PhD in robotics, computer science, control, artificial intelligence, or a closely related discipline, or equivalent research experience.
Essential
Application/interview
Experience in swarm robotics, multi-robot systems, distributed autonomous systems, or a closely related area.
Essential
Application/interview
Experience with Bayesian methods such as Gaussian processes, particle filters for estimation, robot localisation and uncertainty quantification methods
Essential
Application/interview
Experience in developing and evaluating algorithms for autonomous or multi-agent systems.
Essential
Application/interview
Experience with computer vision and data fusion algorithms (e.g. optical, acoustic, Lidar, inertial measurement units and other data)
Essential
Application/interview
Strong programming and software development skills, with experience in Python, C++ or similar languages.
Essential
Application/interview
Experience in designing and conducting simulation studies and/or robot experiments, and analysing the resulting data.
Essential
Application/interview
Evidence of publication, or clear potential to publish, in peer-reviewed journals and/or international conferences.
Essential
Application/interview
Ability to undertake a programme of high-quality research with a clear view of priorities, milestones and future research direction.
Essential
Application/interview
Ability to work effectively with colleagues from different disciplines and contribute positively to collaborative research.
Essential
Application/interview
Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present technical work clearly to different audiences.
Essential
Application/interview
Ability to organise your own workload, manage competing priorities and deliver high-quality work to agreed deadlines.
Essential
Application/interview
Experience of supervising or supporting students and/or research staff in a research environment.
Desirable
Application/interview
Ability to contribute to the development of research proposals and to help secure research funding, in line with disciplinary norms.
Desirable
Application/interview
Further Information
Grade
7
Salary
£38,784 - £39,906 per annum
Work arrangement
Full-time
Duration
36 Months
Line manager
Prof. Lyudmila Mihaylova
Direct reports
None
Our website
https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/acse/
For informal enquiries about this job, contact Prof Lyudmila Mihaylova, School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering on or on
[email protected]
Next steps in the recruitment process
It is anticipated that the selection process will take place in July 2026. This will consist of a presentation and an interview. If you need any support, equipment or adjustments to enable you to participate in any element of the recruitment process, you can contact Amanda Burnett on
[email protected].
Our vision and strategic plan
We are the University of Sheffield. This is our vision: sheffield.ac.uk/vision ().
What we offer
A minimum of 41 days annual leave including bank holiday and closure days (pro rata) with the ability to purchase more.
Flexible working opportunities, including hybrid working for some roles.
Generous pension scheme.
A wide range of discounts and rewards on shopping, eating out and travel.
A variety of staff networks, providing opportunities for social interaction, peer support and personal development (for example, Race Equality, LGBT+, Women’s and Parent’s networks).
Recognition Awards to reward staff who go above and beyond in their role.
A commitment to your development access to learning and mentoring schemes; integrated with our Academic Career Pathways.
A range of generous family-friendly policies
paid time off for parenting and caring emergencies
support for those going through the menopause
paid time off and support for fertility treatment
and more
We are a Disability Confident Employer. If you have a disability and meet the essential criteria for this job you will be invited to take part in the next stage of the selection process.
We are a research university with a global reputation for excellence. Our ideas and expertise change the world for the better, making a real difference to society. We know that when people come together with different views, approaches and insights it can lead to richer, more creative and innovative teaching and research and the highest levels of student experience. Our University Vision (www.sheffield.ac.uk/vision) outlines our commitment to building a diverse community of staff and students that recognises and values the abilities, backgrounds, beliefs and ways of living for everyone.
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