Project Engineer or Research Fellow

We are seeking to appoint a Research Fellow or Project Engineer to assist in the delivery of project milestones and associated scalable deliverables. You will join the team led by Dr Roger Woodman, Human Factors Research Lead, working closely with the Agritech Team.

The Innovate UK-funded Agritech project aims to develop Machine Learning for Fault Detection and Predictive Maintenance in Dogtooth's robotic harvesting systems. Using robot logs, performance data and service records, it will develop explainable AI models to detect faults, predict failures and support targeted maintenance. The project aims to reduce downtime, improve productivity and enable fleet-wide knowledge transfer, while supporting Dogtooth's commercial scale-up through the SME and ASG teams.

Research Fellow

You will research, develop and test AI models for smart automation systems and robotics, covering perception, decision-making, prediction and autonomous control. Working with human factors specialists, you will integrate explainability into machine learning architectures to ensure fault detection and maintenance alerts provide quantitative explanations for technicians and system operators.

You will undertake independent and collaborative research, publish findings in peer-reviewed journals and contribute to research papers. You will also manage project-related administrative challenges, produce regular progress reports and ensure project objectives and deadlines are met.

The role will involve deploying models for real-time, embedded and field-based applications in agricultural environments.

Project Engineer

You will research, develop and test AI models for smart automation systems and robotics, covering perception, decision-making, prediction and autonomous control. Working with the Human Factors Research Lead and cross-functional teams, you will integrate explainability into machine learning architectures, ensuring fault detection and maintenance alerts provide quantitative explanations for field technicians and system operators.

Responsibilities include data collection and processing, developing robust AI systems and deploying models on edge computing devices in real-world agricultural environments. You will also contribute to peer-reviewed journal papers, conference presentations and technical reports.

Both positions are based at the University of Warwick within WMG.

About You — Project Engineer

You should have an honours degree or postgraduate qualification in Computer Science, Data Science, AI or a closely related discipline, supported by a strong mathematical foundation in linear algebra, optimisation and statistics. You will have a strong background in applied AI and machine learning, alongside a demonstrated understanding of Explainable AI (XAI) and human-in-the-loop machine learning methodologies.

You will have effective communication skills, enabling you to report progress to project stakeholders and work collaboratively as part of a team. You will be organised and technically adept, with the ability to initiate, plan, organise, implement and deliver work programmes to tight deadlines.

About You — Research Fellow

You should have a PhD-level qualification in Computer Science, Data Science, AI or a closely related discipline, supported by a strong mathematical foundation in linear algebra, optimisation and statistics. You will have a strong background in applied AI and machine learning, alongside a demonstrated understanding of Explainable AI (XAI) and human-in-the-loop methodologies.

You will have effective verbal and written communication skills, enabling you to work with colleagues and external partners and contribute positively to team and School activities. Organised, self-motivated and technically adept, you will confidently use IT to prepare papers, presentations and technical documentation. You will demonstrate good time management, engage constructively with the wider academic community and adopt an inclusive and professional approach.

Candidates who have not yet been awarded their PhD but are nearing submission or have recently submitted may be offered employment as a Research Assistant at level 5 of the University grade structure. Following successful award of the PhD and provision of evidence, they will be promoted to Research Fellow at the first point of level 6.

About the Department

WMG is the largest department at the University of Warwick, with over 800 staff and nearly 3,000 students across undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in management, technology, and applied engineering. We are globally recognised for our world-class research, innovative industry partnerships, and teaching excellence, and we are proud holders of the Athena SWAN Silver Award and the Institutional Silver Award.

Benefits

We will provide you with a great range of benefits, which include an attractive pension scheme, a generous holiday allowance plus Christmas closure, excellent learning and development opportunities, and savings on a wide range of products and services. We offer a generous maternity/paternity/adoption/parental leave policy, and onsite childcare facilities. We recognise the importance of a healthy work/life balance and offer access to flexible working. We are proud to say that we are a Living Wage employer.