Research Fellow in Extended Reality (XR)

Centre for Digital Engineering and Manufacturing

Research Fellow in Extended Reality (XR)

Fixed Term Contract for 18 months

Full time starting salary is normally £37,337 per annum

Location: Cranfield, Bedfordshire

We welcome applications from talented XR developers to join our research team to develop the next generation of training delivery for battery manufacture.

About the Role

You will focus on developing extended reality (XR) capability and VR/AR demonstrators to transform the training process for battery manufacture in the automotive industry. The project convenes regional academic, local government and industrial experts to deliver a new and innovative battery manufacturing L2 & L3 training programme for the West Midlands.

Extended Reality (XR), which is the focus for this role, is the case where digital data is superimposed directly into a user’s real-world visual field. XR is a fast-growing technology that is becoming an attractive form of communication in manufacturing and maintenance, particularly for the presentation of work instructions for training. You will contribute to conducting further research to evaluate the potential performance improvements that XR and training can offer. One of the industrial use case providers will be Jaguar Land Rover.

In computer science, the contributions of this Research Fellow role will be built around new methods of applying augmented reality to complex manufacturing and maintenance systems. You will be expected to develop new methods for:

• Data collection using XR
• Data & optimization for providing guidance using XR
• Data integration from multiple sensors
• Accurate overlay of information
• Visualising information

The specific focus on the notion of training effectiveness will inform academic knowledge in design and evaluation of virtual/augmented reality systems, with particular contribution towards our goal to enable a seamless training system to update in near-real time, to reflect the status of the digital manufacturing environment.

You will investigate visualisation requirements for digital technologies, using valid and reliable techniques to represent and predict real world human-technology interaction, increasing efficiency and effectiveness of product and process design, manufacture and maintenance.

About You

You will be educated to doctoral level (or close to completion) in a relevant subject and have experience of developing extended reality demonstrators with AR/VR technology.  With excellent software design and development skills you will be able to contribute immediately to the project objectives.  Your expertise in effective training methods and knowledge of manufacturing processes will be an advantage.

About Us

As a specialist postgraduate university, Cranfield’s world-class expertise, large-scale facilities and unrivalled industry partnerships are creating leaders in technology and management globally. Learn more about Cranfield and our unique impact here.

Cranfield Manufacturing and Materials has been following the ambitious strategy of developing a roadmap for Sustainable Manufacturing and Materials Sectors for 2050 by applying fundamental science and thought leadership via conceiving and maturing the concepts of Smart, Clean and Green manufacturing solutions agnostically across all sectors and through all tiers of the supply chain and with SMEs as well as OEMs. This is to support the national aspiration of Net Zero UK by 2050 We offer world-class and niche post-graduate level research, education, training and consultancy. We are unique in our multi-disciplinary approach by bringing together design, materials’ technology and management expertise. We link fundamental materials research with manufacturing to develop novel technologies and improve the science base of the manufacturing research. Our capabilities are unique, with a focus on simulation and modelling, and sustainability. They also include work in composite manufacture, metallic glasses, nano-materials (graphene, carbon nanotubes, coatings and sensors), low energy casting, thermal barrier coatings and Wire Arc Additive Manufacturing (WAAM).

Find out more about our work here.

Our Values and Commitments

Our shared, stated values help to define who we are and underpin everything we do: Ambition; Impact; Respect; and Community. Find out more here.

We aim to create and maintain a culture in which everyone can work and study together and realise their full potential. We are a Disability Confident Employer and proud members of the Stonewall Diversity Champions Programme.We are committed to actively exploring flexible working options for each role and have been ranked in the Top 30 family friendly employers in the UK by the charity Working Families. Find out more about our key commitments to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and Flexible Working here.

Working Arrangements

Collaborating and connecting are integral to so much of what we do. Our Working Arrangements Framework provides many staff with the opportunity to flexibly combine on-site and remote working, where job roles allow, balancing the needs of our community of staff, students, clients and partners.

How to apply                                    

For an informal discussion about this opportunity, please contact Samuel Court, Research Fellow in Augmented Reality and Laboratory Manager, on (T): +44 (0) 1234 754157 or (E): s.d.court@cranfield.ac.uk

Apply online now. Please do not hesitate to contact us for further details on E: hrrecruitment@cranfield.ac.uk. Please quote reference number 4650.

Closing date for receipt of applications: 25 October 2023

www.cranfield.ac.uk