Job Description
Job Title: Artificial Intelligence Specialist for Autonomous Systems – KTP Associate
Location: Aurrigo International Plc, 33 Bilton Industrial Estate, Humber Avenue, Coventry, CV3 1JL
Salary: £40,000 per annum
Contract Type: Fixed Term (36 months)
Basis: Full Time
Closing Date: 23.59 hours BST on Monday 31 March 2025
Interview Date: To be confirmed
Reference: 0047-25
Release Date: Monday 03 March 2025
Job Overview:
An exciting opportunity has arisen for an Artificial Intelligence Specialist for Autonomous Systems as part of a Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) project. This project, in collaboration with Aurrigo International Plc, aims to develop an advanced, decentralised software platform to optimise fleet management for airport baggage and cargo-handling autonomous vehicles (AVs). The goal is to transition from human-controlled systems to autonomous command-and-control systems, reducing human intervention and improving operational efficiency.
By leveraging cutting-edge technologies such as multi-agent systems, federated learning, and game theory, the project will create decentralised algorithms that enable AVs to intelligently delegate tasks, plan activities, and coordinate actions with minimal message passing. The result will be a more efficient, resilient, and scalable AV system.
This is a unique opportunity to work at the forefront of AI and autonomous systems, bridging academia and industry to make a real-world impact.
Candidate Profile:
Essential Qualifications:
- PhD in Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence (AI), or a closely related field.
Essential Skills & Experience:
- Strong understanding of machine learning algorithms, including deep learning and federated learning, especially in the context of autonomous systems.
- Expertise in multi-agent systems and decentralised coordination.
- Experience with simulation techniques for complex systems.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to conduct high-quality, independent research.
- Project management skills, with familiarity with Agile methodologies and tools.
- Strong coding ability, with experience in relevant programming languages such as Python, C++, or MATLAB.
Desirable Skills & Experience:
- Industrial experience in autonomous vehicle systems or related technology environments.
- Experience with Partially Observable Markov Decision Processes (POMDPs) and their decentralised applications.
- Familiarity with Game Theory, particularly in competitive scenarios.
- Knowledge of Federated Learning and its implementation in distributed systems.
Main Responsibilities:
- Research, develop, and optimise machine learning algorithms (including deep learning) for AV control and coordination.
- Apply multi-agent systems to improve decision-making and task delegation in autonomous systems.
- Integrate and test developed algorithms within Aurrigo’s software and control systems.
- Conduct simulations and real-world testing to evaluate system performance.
- Contribute to project dissemination, reporting, and collaboration with both academic and industry partners.
- Support project management and adapt to evolving project priorities.
Personal Attributes:
- Strong interpersonal, communication, and presentation skills.
- Leadership qualities, resilience, and autonomy in organisation and time management.
- Ability to work independently and use initiative to achieve project milestones and objectives.
Additional Benefits and Support:
- Up to £6,000 for personal and professional development during the project.
- Annual leave (25 days per annum).
- Professional support and mentorship throughout the project.
- Access to mental health and wellbeing support.
Career Prospects:
- 60% of KTP associates are offered employment by the companies they work with after completing their KTP.
About the Company:
Aurrigo International Plc is a leading provider of transport technology solutions, designing and developing autonomous vehicles and control systems in-house to create seamless hardware-software integrations. For more information, visit Aurrigo.
About Aston University:
The KTP project will be a collaborative effort between Aurrigo and Aston University, where you’ll be part of a team led by Dr. Farzaneh Farhadi, Dr. Maria Chli, and Prof. Maia Angelova. Aston University is dedicated to excellence in teaching and research, providing a dynamic, inclusive working environment.
Location:
You will be based at Aurrigo in Coventry, but access to Aston University’s facilities in central Birmingham will also be available. Some travel to Birmingham and key client sites may be required.
For Informal Enquiries:
For more information about the role, please contact Dr. Farzaneh Farhadi at f.farhadi@aston.ac.uk.
How to Apply:
To apply, please visit Aston University Jobs for further information.
Aston University is committed to equality and diversity. We welcome applications from all sections of the community and promote a supportive, inclusive working environment. We also guarantee an interview for disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria.
Eligibility for Sponsorship:
Please note that the salary for this role is below the minimum threshold for Skilled Worker visa sponsorship. However, we may be able to sponsor the successful candidate if they meet the following criteria:
- Under 26 years old
- Hold a relevant PhD
- Have held a Student or Graduate visa in the past two years
- Already in the UK on a Tier 2 or Skilled Worker visa issued before April 4th, 2024
For more details, please contact hr_immigration@aston.ac.uk.
For further details on KTP, please visit KTP UK.