Research Fellow I

Position overview

Applications are invited for a Research Fellow to develop bioinspired soft underwater robots through advanced additive manufacturing, programmable materials, compliant manipulation, and embedded control. Working under the Principal Investigator, the successful candidate will lead hands-on research and contribute to the design, fabrication, integration, and experimental validation of bio-inspired robotic platforms.

The position suits an experimental researcher with strong capabilities in soft robotics, smart materials, or multi-material additive manufacturing, together with the ability to integrate mechanical, electrical, and control subsystems into working prototypes.

Key responsibilities

• Design and fabricate compliant batoid-inspired bodies and fins using elastomers, functional composites, and multi-material additive manufacturing.
• Develop and optimise manufacturing workflows combining fused filament fabrication (FFF), direct ink writing (DIW), and automated embedding of fibres and heating elements.
• Quantify material and module performance, including stiffness modulation, volumetric change, heating and cooling response, hysteresis, cyclic durability, waterproofing, and energy consumption under submerged conditions.
• Design repeatable tank-testing protocols with suitable controls, calibration procedures, and uncertainty analysis.
• Evaluate locomotion, manoeuvrability, depth control, grasping, mission completion, propulsion noise, reliability, and energy use; benchmark against appropriate bioinspired and propeller-driven AUV references using clearly defined test conditions.
• Maintain reproducible records of material formulations, fabrication parameters, CAD models, firmware, test procedures, and experimental datasets.
• Prepare technical reports, peer-reviewed publications, presentations, and intellectual property disclosures where appropriate.
• Work with collaborators, support project planning and milestone reporting, mentor students where required, and maintain safe laboratory and tank-testing practices.

Essential qualifications

• A PhD in Mechanical Engineering, Robotics, Mechatronics, Materials Science and Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a closely related discipline.
• A strong experimental research background in at least one core area: soft robotics, functional polymer materials, smart-material actuation, or multi-material additive manufacturing.
• Evidence of research quality through peer-reviewed publications and demonstrable technical outputs.
• Strong technical writing, communication, organisation, and interdisciplinary collaboration skills, with the ability to work independently and meet project milestones.

Desirable experience

• 4D printing, DIW ink formulation, elastomer composites, silicone processing, or embedded fibre and conductor placement.
• Soft grippers, tendon-driven mechanisms, pneumatic actuation, compliant mechanisms, or tactile/contact sensing.
• Underwater robotics, bioinspired propulsion, buoyancy systems, waterproof packaging, or submerged experimental testing.
• Finite element analysis, thermal modelling, fluid–structure interaction, or hydrodynamic analysis relevant to compliant robotic systems.
• Microcontroller programming in C/C++, sensor integration, low-power electronics, and battery-powered system development.

Candidates are not expected to have prior expertise in every listed technology. Strong depth in a core area, supported by hands-on integration skills and a demonstrated ability to learn across disciplines, will be valued.