Research Fellow in Through-Life Smart Machines

Role Description

We welcome applications from skilled, delivery-focused engineers to contribute to our successful railways-applied smart machines research programme.

About the Role

We are seeking a highly motivated and multiskilled Research Fellow with expertise in the programming, training, testing and maintenance of autonomous inspection, smart inspection and repair systems. The postholder will play a key role in the delivery of funded research projects, supporting the validation and future deployment of a range of robotic and autonomous systems applied within the rail sector.

The role will involve planning and delivering prototype demonstrations at national railway test facilities and heritage railways. Responsibilities will include coordinating demonstration logistics, collecting and analysing experimental and operational data, evaluating machine performance, and preparing high-quality technical reports for industrial partners. The Research Fellow will also be expected to contribute to the wider academic mission of the group, including supervision of MSc student projects and supporting PhD supervision in areas related to through-life engineering services, smart machines and autonomous systems.

This position offers an excellent opportunity to work at the interface of applied research and industrial deployment, contributing to national rail innovation programmes.

About You

You will be educated to doctoral level in a relevant discipline and will have strong experience of applied research, combining data science techniques with experimental and systems-based methodologies. With excellent communication skills, you will have the ability to confidently engage and communicate with our customers.

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, Materials and Design is one of the eight Themes at Cranfield University, offering world-class and niche postgraduate-level research, education, training and consultancy. We are unique in our multidisciplinary approach by bringing together design, materials’ technology and management expertise. 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 Dr Isidro Durazo Cardenas, Senior Lecturer in Life-cycle Engineering, on (E): i.s.durazocardenas@cranfield.ac.uk

Please do not hesitate to contact us for further details on E: peoplerecruitment@cranfield.ac.uk. Please quote reference number 5272.

Closing date for receipt of applications:   26 April 2026

Please note that we reserve the right to close this advert prior to the stated closing date should we receive sufficient numbers of applications. Therefore, we would encourage you to complete and submit your application as soon as possible.