Research Fellow in Control of Surgical Robots

University of Leeds

Leeds, United Kingdom

ID: 7145952 (Ref.No. EPSEE1100)
Posted: May 19, 2023

Job Description

Do you want to make a difference in patients’ quality of life by creating innovative robots that are able to treat incurable diseases? Are you excited about contributing to scientific research in surgical robotics? Are you able to think outside the box to find innovative solutions to life-threatening diseases?  Do you want to join a world-leading team of roboticists, manufacturing engineers, and clinicians?

We are looking for a proactive individual to join our Science and Technology Of Robotics in Medicine (STORM) Lab, bringing their excitement for scientific research in surgical robotics with them. 

At the STORM Lab, we strive to improve the quality of life for people undergoing soft-tissue surgery and flexible endoscopy by creating miniature and non-invasive robots. This includes the creation and investigation of miniature capsule-like or tentacle robots to work inside the human body. At the STORM Lab, we are designing and creating soft and compliant robotic devices that can be used within the human body to detect and cure diseases in a non-invasive way.

This vacancy is created by a major EPSRC grant (EP/V047914/1 “Terabotics–Terahertz Robotics for Surgery and Medicine”) awarded to the University of Leeds, which aims at exploring how Terahertz-based imaging can contribute to the automation of surgical tasks in robotic procedures for early-stage cancer detection and removal. You will join a multi-disciplinary research team aiming at integrating innovative imaging probes into cutting-edge surgical robotic and robotic endoscopy platforms, modelling their behaviour at different steps of the surgical procedure, exploring different levels of computer assistance based on multi-modal sensing, and testing them in realistic anatomical models.

The elements related to the advanced imaging probes will be conducted in collaboration with Professor John Cunningham at the University of Leeds, and Professor Emma MacPherson at the University of Warwick.


What we offer in return

And much more!  


To explore the post further or for any queries you may have, please contact: 

Pietro Valdastri, PhD, Chair in Robotics and Autonomous Systems

Tel: +44 (0)113 343 3706 or email: [email protected] 


Location:  Leeds - Main Campus
Faculty/Service:  Faculty of Engineering & Physical Sciences
School/Institute:  School of Electronic & Electrical Engineering
Section:  Institute of Robotics, Autonomous Systems and Sensing
Category:  Research
Grade:  Grade 7
Salary:  £36,333 to £43,155 p.a.
Working Time:  37.5 hours per week
Post Type:  Full Time
Contract Type:  Fixed Term (2 years due to grant funding)
Release Date:  Thursday 18 May 2023
Closing Date:  Thursday 15 June 2023
Reference:  EPSEE1100


The University community is made up of a wide range of people with diverse backgrounds and circumstances, which we value and regard as a great asset. As part of our continued commitment to equality and inclusion, we strive to create an environment where everyone can reach their full potential and have a real opportunity to participate in and contribute to our activities.