Postdoctoral research assistant in Shape-morphing quadruped robots

We are seeking a full-time Postdoctoral Research Assistant to join the Protean Robotics Lab, directed by Prof. Robert Baines, at the Department of Engineering Science in central Oxford. The post is funded by the Branco Weiss Fellowship – Society in Science and is fixed term to 31 September 2028, with the possibility to extend.

You will be contributing to a project on the design and control of a quadruped robot with shape-morphing limbs. The goal is to have a single quadruped engage in a number of industrially-oriented tasks (ladder climbing, interaction with equipment, non-prehensile manipulation) by changing the shape of its limbs and adapting its control strategy.

You will be involved developing and testing control policies for bespoke morphing limb hardware equipped to a quadruped robot. You are expected to upkeep the hardware and work in simulation environments to develop shape-morphing / behaviour control policies for the system.

You should possess a PhD/DPhil in Engineering, Robotics, or other related field, together with established knowledge of constructing and programming robots, including motor control and using simulators like IsaacLab or MujoCo.

Informal enquiries may be addressed to Robert Baines

For more information about working at the Department, see www.eng.ox.ac.uk/about/work-with-us/. The Protean Robotics Lab is affiliated with the Oxford Robotics Institute, a group of 10 faculty working at the cutting edge of robotics and AI: https://ori.ox.ac.uk/.

Only online applications received before midday on4 December 2026 can be considered. You will be required to upload a covering letter/supporting statement, including a brief statement of research interests (describing how past experience and future plans fit with the advertised position), CV, and the contact details of two referees as part of your online application.

The Department holds an Athena Swan Bronze award, highlighting its commitment to promoting women in Science, Engineering and Technology.

Keywords : Robotics, Shape-morphing mechanisms, Simulation, machine learning