Applications are invited for a Research Assistant or Associate post within the Department of Aerospace Engineering.

You will be developing motion planning algorithms for a driverless car. In particular, you will address the challenge of cooperative autonomous driving in an urban setting. How should we pass an on-coming car in a narrow street? How should we pass a broken down vehicle blocking our path? When should we let another driver go ahead at a junction? These scenarios demand more than just rule following: you'll be developing a comprehensive motion-planning and decision-making system, able to evaluate many different options and proceed with the best. Importantly, you don't need to solve the whole driving problem: the scope will be limited to carefully designed test scenarios.

You will be part of the VENTURER project, a high-profile government-sponsored initiative to investigate the challenges of driverless cars. You will work with engineers, social scientists, lawyers, insurers and local government. Together, we aim to understand the full implications of widespread driverless car adoption. As well as your own development and simulations, you will support trials with real vehicles and demonstrations to the general public.

You will have a PhD or equivalent in control, robotics, computer science, engineering, or a related discipline. You will have a proven track record in research into motion planning, cooperative control or autonomous decision-making. Software will hold no fear for you, and you will be able to solve challenging coding problems in a manageable and maintainable way. You will be comfortable managing your own piece of a much bigger project. Overall, you will be passionate about your technology's potential and about learning its role in the 'bigger picture' to come.

This post is offered on a full time, fixed term contract for 2 years in the first instance, with the potential for further extension.

Informal enquiries can be made to Arthur Richards, Arthur.Richards<στο>bristol.ac.uk

Contract Type 
The successful applicant for this vacancy may be appointed either on a fixed term or a permanent contract depending on the extent of their previous relevant research experience, in line with the University’s Fixed Term Contract Agreement. Further information can be found at www.bristol.ac.uk/hr/ftc/

The University of Bristol is committed to equality and we value the diversity of our staff and students.

To apply, please click here to be redirected to our website, enter the vacancy number into the job search and follow the link to the online application process.

The closing date for applications is 29 March 2015.

It is expected that interviews will be held in early April 2015.