Research Assistant in Machine Learning for Aerial Swarms (Fixed Term)

University of Cambridge

London

8 months ago

Applications closed

Related Jobs

View all jobs

Head of Post Award (Finance)

Marketing Executive

Customer Service Team Leader

Senior Embedded Software Engineer

Algorithm software engineer (C#) - Perm - Coventry

Sensor Fusion Software Lead

Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available for 9 months.
Applications are invited for a Research Assistant (RA) to join the Prorok Lab in the Department of Computer Science and Technology, at the University of Cambridge, UK.The Research Assistant will work together with a team of students and research collaborators on the development of learning-based control policies that facilitate the coordination of large-scale robot systems (ground and aerial). The ideal candidate will possess hands-on experience with designing and implementing reinforcement learning algorithms, and deploying them onto real robots. They will be working with a team composed of PhD students, Research Assistants and Postdocs that is developing novel multi-robot architectures for practical, real-world settings. Current solutions to many of the coordination challenges use simplifying assumptions and simulated operational environments to achieve success. Our team is pushing these assumptions to their limits, with the aim to break the barrier to real-world and outdoor deployments with large robot teams. As a result, we need to design systems and algorithms that are robust and resilient, while also offering scalability to larger swarms and highly dynamic environments. The RA will also lead in-field testing and deployments. Therefore, we require someone with excellent implementation skills, and substantial experience with real robot deployments.
The Prorok Lab in the Dept. of Computer Science & Technology, has a variety of robotic platforms (aerial and ground), and boasts expertise in controlling and deploying them in practice, as well as in designing coordination strategies for them. Our recent work on RL and graph neural networks (GNNs) demonstrate some of our key research directions relevant for this position. A high degree of self-motivation, research-oriented thinking, and a drive for getting real robotic systems up and running are all essential traits for this position.
The Department of Computer Science and Technology is an academic department that encompasses computer science along with many aspects of engineering, technology and mathematics. We have a world wide reputation for academic research with consistent top research ratings. The Department has an open and collaborative culture, supporting revolutionary fundamental computer science research, strong cross-cutting collaborations internally and externally, and ideas which transform computing outside the University.
Click the 'Apply' button below to register an account with our recruitment system (if you have not already) and apply online.
Please quote reference NR46362 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.
The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.
The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.

#J-18808-Ljbffr

Subscribe to Future Tech Insights for the latest jobs & insights, direct to your inbox.

Industry Insights

Discover insightful articles, industry insights, expert tips, and curated resources.

Feb 12, 2026

Careers

How Many UAV Tools Do You Need to Know to Get a UAV Job?

If you’re aiming for a role in the Uncrewed Aerial Vehicle (UAV) industry, it can feel like every job advert expects you to know a never-ending list of tools: flight control systems, autopilot frameworks, simulation platforms, sensor suites, communication stacks, mission planning software, GIS tools — and on it goes. With so many names and acronyms, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and assume you must learn every tool under the sun before you’ll be taken seriously by employers. Here’s the honest truth most UAV hiring managers won’t say out loud: 👉 They don’t hire you because you know every tool — they hire you because you can use the right tools to solve real UAV problems safely, reliably and in context. Tools matter — absolutely — but they always serve a purpose: solving problems, reducing risk, improving performance, or guiding safer operations. So the real question isn’t how many tools you should know — it’s: which tools you should master, in what context, and why. This article breaks down what employers actually expect, which tools are essential, which are role-specific, and how to focus your learning so you look credible, confident and job-ready.

Feb 3, 2026

Jobs

What Hiring Managers Look for First in UAV Job Applications (UK Guide)

Whether you’re aiming for roles in UAV design, robotics/controls engineering, autonomy & computer vision, flight test & certification, embedded systems, operations, ground control software, systems integration or regulatory compliance, the way you present yourself in an application can make or break your chances — and that often happens before the hiring manager reads past your first few lines. In the UK UAV/jobs market, recruiters and hiring managers scan applications rapidly. They look for relevant experience, measurable delivery, technical credibility, domain awareness and safety/regulatory understanding — often making a decision within the first 10–20 seconds. This guide breaks down exactly what hiring managers look for first in UAV applications, why those signals matter, and how to structure your CV, portfolio and cover letter so you get noticed — not filtered out.

Jan 24, 2026

Education

The Skills Gap in UAV Jobs: What Universities Aren’t Teaching

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) — commonly known as drones — are among the fastest-growing technologies globally. From infrastructure inspection and agriculture to emergency response, surveying, logistics and defence, UAVs are transforming how organisations gather data, deliver services and improve efficiency. In the UK, demand for UAV professionals is increasing rapidly. Yet despite a growing number of graduates with engineering, robotics or aerospace backgrounds, employers continue to report a persistent problem: Many graduates are not ready for real UAV jobs. This is not a reflection of intelligence or academic effort. It is a widening skills gap between what universities teach and what employers actually need in the UAV sector. This article explores that gap in depth — what universities do well, where programmes fall short, why the divide exists, what employers actually want, and how jobseekers can bridge the gap to build a successful career in UAVs.