Research associates

This position is for a Research Associate in HRI at the National Robotarium.

The position duration is approx. 3 years (33M) commencing in December 1st 2022 (a firm start date will be negotiated with the successful candidate)

£32,817 to £40,322 (Grade 7)  

03/10/2022.    

Interviews will be held online and in person on week commencing 10th October. 

The RA will join the National Robotarium a world-leading centre for Robotics and Artificial Intelligence opening at Heriot-Watt University’s Edinburgh campus in September 2022. A partnership between Heriot-Watt University and the University of Edinburgh, the multi-million pound facility is home to pioneering research and innovation labs across three core areas: Robotics & Autonomous Systems (RAS), Human Robot Interaction (HRI) and High Precision Manufacturing. Its uniquely flexible facilities allows industry partners in healthcare, agriculture, construction and other economic sectors to collaborate with experts in Robotics and AI, utilising the latest science to develop technologies and carry out challenge-based innovations that can move rapidly from laboratory to market. 

The Research Associate will join the Interactive and Trustworthy Technologies (https://ittgroup.org/) research group at the National Robotarium and will in the first instance work on the EPSRC project titled “FEATHER”.  

The aim of project FEATHER is to work with stakeholders to co-design new tools and machine learning-based methods for early recognition of urinary tract infections to enable longer and healthier independent living.     

This position will focus on how to design the regular interaction with a social robot with conversational skills to facilitate the recognition of a UTI, which otherwise cannot be extracted by other means.   

In general, to support the project leader at HWU of the Feather project in achieving the goals of that project, under her direction.  

• Undertaking a specific role in the research project under supervision  
• Taking responsibility for some elements of the planned research  
• Planning and carrying out a work programme appropriate to the research activity  
• Developing own research portfolio in related areas   
• Contributing to the writing of research grants  
• Contributing to dissemination and publication of research teams findings as appropriate.  
• Contribute to learning and teaching through activities such as project supervision, tutoring and marking (limited to no more than 10% on an annualised basis).  

Please note that this job description is not exhaustive, and the role holder may be required to undertake other relevant duties commensurate with the grading of the post.  Activities may be subject to amendment over time as the role develops and/or priorities and requirements evolve.       

  Applications should include a Curriculum Vitae (detailing qualifications, work experience, projects worked on), a publications list, and transcripts of their degree results. 

To apply: https://enzj.fa.em3.oraclecloud.com/hcmUI/CandidateExperience/en/sites/CX/job/2410 

For an informal discussion of the role, please contact at Heriot-Watt University: Professor Lynne Baillie at Heriot Watt University (l.baillie@hw.ac.uk)  

G7 (£33,309 - £40,927) 

Fixed Term for 12 - 15 months depending on FTE.  

We can consider flexible working options from full time (35 hours per week) to part-time (24.5 hours per week.

The Research Associate will work on the EPSRC project titled “Serious Coding: A Game Approach to Security for the New Code-Citizens” (SECRIOUS) and join a team of Heriot-Watt researchers in the field of Software Security and Human Computer Interaction. The overall project has three research associates, two at Heriot-Watt University and one at Glasgow School of Art whose specialist area is games.   

The aim of the project is to develop a method and platform for serious games to raise security understanding among software developers. This involves preparing materials for expert and non-expert coders in collaboration with HCI, security and games experts.  

The vision is to engage the wide public of coders to consider and understand security when coding. A number of user centered and game design events will co-design a number of online code-based games that will be showcased in the last year of the project. Players data will be collected and analysed to evaluate the impact of the games. The components and games developed as part of the project are expected to be under open licence to allow for re-use and further development.   

The position is concerned with the work packages of the project involving both the preparation of materials and contents on software security and secure development. The main part of the work will focus on the development of a GitLab-based platform for online coding games and its software components (the development is expected to use multiple programming languages, i.e. Python, C#). They will specify requirements for the GitLab-based platform in collaboration with the rest of the project team, to develop and deploy components for the game platform in collaboration with game developer experts. The successful candidate will have a strong background in and research interest in software security, software engineering and sociotechnical methods for security. They will also have a strong interest in applying their expert software security and software engineering skills to co-design, build, deploy and evaluate the code-based platform for secure coding.   

The position holder will have a PhD or Masters (MSc) in a Software Security or Software Engineering or closely related disciplines. Some experience of working with a software engineering company or on a funded research project would be beneficial. The project involves a high amount of communication with team members and the wider public. A clear ability to confidently communicate information at a range of technical levels is critical, while an ability to assimilate large amounts of data and present this in visual and written report form, or to present to a variety of audiences is important.  

The position holder will be based at Heriot-Watt University. This project involves travel to partners of the project based in Edinburgh, Glasgow and St Andrews, and taking part in project events across the UK. It will also include national and international travel to key research conferences.  

The successful candidate will be expected to undertake the following:

• Carry out research work under supervision;
• Carry out programming, development and design work at Heriot-Watt University
• Carry out materials preparation on software security, for events involving a wide audience of experts and non-experts, and in collaboration with serious game designers and storytellers
• Carry out deployment work on GitLab platforms
• Produce reports for funder and publications for academic dissemination
• Present research outputs at conferences, meetings, events, and provide input to project reports
• Some Limited teaching in Security and Software Engineering and related areas.

Please note that this job description is not exhaustive, and the role holder may be required to undertake other relevant duties commensurate with the grading of the post.  Activities may be subject to amendment over time as the role develops and/or priorities and requirements evolve.    

Essential  Qualifications 

• A PhD or Masters degree in Software Security or closely related subject

Key technical skills (candidates will ideally display several of the following attributes): 

• Experience of some of the following: software engineering, software testing, program analysis, developer experience, usable security, DevSecOps
• Excellent programming skills in some of the following: Python, Java, C# or C++, functional programming
• Experience of algorithm development, ideally within a research context
• Knowledge of good software engineering principles and platform such as GitLab
• Excellent design and programming skills in Web and mobile application development and design
• Skills in some of the following: user centered design, game design and development, Unity
• Strong analytical and problem solving skills
• Strong project management and communication skills (verbal, written and presentation).  

Desirable

• A developing track record of publishing research findings
• Good team player with good interpersonal skills
• Tenacity and confidence in engaging stakeholders in data collection
• Highly motivated to initiate, plan and pursue research and aspire to excellence in all professional activities
• Industry experience on projects
• Adaptability, willingness to learn new fields and develop new skill sets

Other

• Ability to travel (as outlined in the Detailed Description above)  

https://enzj.fa.em3.oraclecloud.com/hcmUI/CandidateExperience/en/sites/CX/job/2149/  

Applications can be submitted until midnight on the 20th of June 2022.   

Please submit via the Heriot-Watt on-line recruitment system (1) Cover letter describing their interest and suitability for the post; (2) Full CV.   

For informal discussions about the position please contact Professor Lynne Baillie (l.baillie@hw.ac.uk) or Dr Manuel Maarek