Cambridge Residency Program - Robotics

Launch your research career after your PhD at Microsoft Research Cambridge. Join a multidisciplinary team advancing robotics through ambitious research, real-world experimentation, and software–hardware co-design. 

At Microsoft Research, you will contribute to groundbreaking robotics projects spanning fundamental research, innovative prototypes, and practical robotic systems and experiences. Working with researchers and engineers from diverse technical backgrounds, you will develop cutting-edge solutions for datacenter robotics and explore opportunities extending beyond this domain. 

This role offers the opportunity to broaden your technical and interpersonal skills, build a strong professional network, and pursue research with impact at Microsoft scale. Join a stimulating and collaborative environment where you can accelerate your development, advance the state of the art, and help shape the future of robotics. 

• Contract Length: 2 Years
• Location: Cambridge, UK 

• Drive Innovative Research: Lead and collaborate on diverse projects to explore cutting-edge robotics technologies, addressing fundamental and applied research challenges. 
• Develop and Prototype: Design and implement novel algorithms and control strategies, and translate them into functional prototypes. Develop research code to automate and enhance hardware performance.  
• Experiment and Validate: Plan, design, and execute experiments to test and validate prototypes in various real-world scenarios. Analyze data, refine models, and iterate designs to achieve optimal performance.  
• Collaborate and Disseminate: Work closely with a multidisciplinary team, fostering a collaborative research environment. Clearly communicate findings and progress through presentations, technical reports, and publications in high-impact academic venues

 Required/Minimum Qualifications

• PhD degree (or on-track to complete) in Computer Science, Robotics, Electronic Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a closely related field.
• Demonstrated expertise in one or more areas of robotics, such as manipulation and grasping, kinematics, dynamics, motion control, and coordination.  
• Hands-on experience with programming robots, developing control system algorithms, and integrating software with hardware.  
• Strong track record in relevant research, evidenced by publications in top-tier venues like ICRA, IEEE Robotics and Automation Letters, and IROS.
• Impact-driven mindset with a demonstrated ability to work and learn in a collaborative and diverse environment.
• Committed nature with effective communication skills. 

 Preferred/Additional Qualifications: 

• Proficiency in rapid and accurate development using programming languages such as C, C++, Python, or similar.
• Experience with automation software, robotics simulation environments, or embedded systems programming.
• Experience with physical/embodied AI.
• Experience with learning based control.