Overview
Post-Doctoral Research Associate – Strand, London, WC2R 2LS
About us
King’s College London is one of the UK’s leading research-intensive universities, with a strong commitment to excellence in science, engineering, and healthcare innovation. This role is based in the Department of Informatics within the Faculty of Natural, Mathematical & Engineering Sciences (NMES), an internationally recognised centre for research in robotics, artificial intelligence, and human-centred computing.
You will join the Vision & Human-Robot Interaction (VHR) Lab, a multidisciplinary research group working at the intersection of robotics, machine learning, and human movement science. The lab’s research focuses on developing intelligent, user-adaptive robotic systems that can operate robustly in real-world and clinical environments, with particular emphasis on wearable and assistive technologies.
About the role
This Postdoctoral Research Associate position will contribute to a research programme focused on the development of adaptive control systems for wearable and human-interactive robotic devices. The role supports the design, evaluation, and deployment of learning-based controllers that enable intelligent, user-adaptive behaviour in real-world settings.
The post holder will lead research activities centred on reinforcement learning, optimal control, and simulation-based policy development, using robotic and biomechanical simulation environments to design and evaluate control strategies. A key aspect of the role is supporting the transfer of these controllers from simulation to physical systems, working closely with technical staff and collaborators to ensure robust real-time performance on hardware platforms.
The PDRA will contribute to the development of benchmark environments, datasets, and reproducible research tools, supporting open and transparent research practices. They will be expected to conduct rigorous experimental evaluation, analyse results, and disseminate findings through high-quality journal and conference publications.
The role involves close collaboration with an interdisciplinary team of researchers and engagement with academic and technical partners, as well as contributing to the wider research activities of the lab.
This is a full-time post (35 hours per week), and you will be offered a fixed-term contract for 12 months, ending no later than when the project concludes (31st Dec 2028).
Research staff at King’s are entitled to at least 10 days per year (pro rata) for professional development, in line with the Concordat to Support the Career Development of Researchers.
IMPORTANT: Before applying for this role, please make sure you have the right to work in the country where the role is based. Unless it clearly stipulates within in the job advert above that the hiring company is looking to or able to sponsor applicants it is deemed that the hiring employer will only consider applications from those able to comply with and work in the country where the role is based.
