Assistant Professor in Signal and Image Processing or Robotics

Job title: Assistant Professor in Signal and Image Processing or Robotics

School: School of Engineering & Physical Sciences 

Institute: Institute of Sensors, Signal and Systems 

Grade and Salary:  Grade 8 (£46,735 - £57,422)

Contract Type: Full Time, Open Ended 

Working Hours:  As required to fulfil duties

Rewards and Benefits: 33 days annual leave, plus 9 buildings closed days (and Christmas Eve when it falls on a weekday) for all full time staff. Use our total rewards calculator: https://www.hw.ac.uk/about/work/total-rewards-calculator.htm to see the value of benefits provided by Heriot-Watt University.

Job Description

We welcome applications for one position at Assistant Professor level to join either the Robotics and AI Laboratory (RAILAB) or the Signal and Image processing Laboratory (SIPLab) at the Institute of Sensors, Signals, and Systems (ISSS) of Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh. We seek outstanding self-motivated individuals developing world-leading research in either of the following areas:

• Autonomous systems and robotics.  We are especially interested in profiles willing to work on real world problems in close collaboration with industry to support applications such as (but not limited to) the net-zero transition, manufacturing, field robotics, healthcare and assistive living using robotics solutions. The successful candidate will have an opportunity to collaborate with the University of Edinburgh as part of the Edinburgh Centre for Robotics, which is a £120 million joint venture between Heriot-Watt and Edinburgh Universities, supported by EPSRC, Industry and the Universities.

• Signal and image processing, from theory and algorithms to applications throughout science and technology. We particularly welcome applications from candidates with expertise and research focus on machine learning and/or computational imaging methodology, working at the interface with high-performance computing technologies, or with an application focus in domains such as medicine, astronomy, or quantum science. The successful applicant will develop cutting-edge research and establish collaborations within SIPLab, Heriot-Watt, Edinburgh’s Data-Driven Innovation hubs, as well as nationally and internationally.

There will be a requirement to demonstrate leadership and initiative, with a view to building a research team and becoming internationally recognised. The successful candidate will be required to contribute to teaching within the Electrical, Electronic & Computer Engineering discipline. Of particular relevance are Heriot-Watt's highly successful MSc in Robotics, and the new flagship MSc in Imaging, Vision and High Performance Computing, joint with the University of Edinburgh.

About Us

Heriot-Watt is an internationally-leading University, recognised for its world-class research, emerging from a strong collaborative and multi-disciplinary research culture. The University is a global institution delivering high-quality international teaching programmes, not only at its lead campus in Edinburgh, but also at its Malaysia and Dubai campuses. The present opening is for a research and teaching position in Edinburgh, in the School of Engineering and Physical Sciences (EPS).

EPS is one of the most successful faculties of its kind in the UK, with over £25 million annual research income. It is a recognised research leader in both Physics and Engineering, consistently rated among the best in the UK, in particular in the context of the Research Excellence Framework. ISSS is one of five research institutes forming the research infrastructure of EPS. With an annual research income of about £5M, circa 45 academic members, 20 postdoctoral research associates, and more than 50 PhD students, the institute offers a vibrant research environment.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

The successful candidate will be based at our Edinburgh UK campus. Reporting to the Head of ISSS, responsibilities include:  

(i) carrying out and publishing world-class research; 

(ii) establishing, leading, sustaining and managing a research team; 

(iii) delivering undergraduate and postgraduate teaching (incl. project supervision); 

(iv) developing innovative teaching in line with the university’s global nature; 

(v) engaging in administrative tasks within the School’s research and teaching ambitions and initiatives.

Education, Qualifications and Experience

Essential criteria

• PhD in Engineering, Physics, Mathematics, Computer Science, or equivalent
• Expertise  in either signal and image processing, or robotics and AI.
• Strong publication record.
• Demonstrated independence in research, with evidence of research vision, and strategy.
• Experience in teaching.

Desirable criteria

• Alignment with existing research themes in ISSS.
• Evidence of research funding.
• Evidence of collaborative research.
• Demonstrated leadership in research.

How to Apply

Formal applications should consist of a single PDF including a motivation letter, CV, publication list, and names of 3 references, to be submitted as single document via the Heriot-Watt Job Portal. 

Applications can be submitted up to midnight (UK time) on Friday 8th August 2025. Shortlisting and interviews will take place in Autumn 2025, with an aim for the postholder to join Heriot-Watt in Spring or Summer 2026. 

Any queries on the post should be sent to the Head of Institute (Prof. Wiaux, y.wiaux@hw.ac.uk).

We welcome and will consider flexible working patterns e.g., part-time working and job share options. 

At Heriot Watt we are passionate about our values and look to them to connect our people globally and to help us collaborate and celebrate our success through working together. Our research programmes can deliver real world impact which is achieved through the diversity of our international community and the recognition of creative talent that connects our global team.

Our flourishing community will give you the freedom to challenge and to bring your enterprising mind and to help our partners with solutions that can be applied now and in the future. Join us and Heriot Watt will provide you with a platform to thrive and work in a way that also helps you live your life in balance with well-being and inclusiveness at the heart of our global community. 

Heriot-Watt University is committed to securing equality of opportunity in employment and to the creation of an environment in which individuals are selected, trained, promoted, appraised and otherwise treated on the sole basis of their relevant merits and abilities.  Equality and diversity are all about maximising potential and creating a culture of inclusion for all. 

Heriot-Watt University values diversity across our University community and welcomes applications from all sectors of society, particularly from underrepresented groups. For more information, please see our website https://www.hw.ac.uk/uk/services/equality-diversity.htm and also our award-winning work in Disability Inclusive Science Careers https://disc.hw.ac.uk/ . 

Use our total rewards calculator: https://www.hw.ac.uk/about/work/total-rewards-calculator.htm to see the value of benefits provided by Heriot-Watt University.

Edinburgh is regularly voted the best city to live in the UK and is renowned for its unique architecture, its international festival and its vibrant academic and cultural life. It is also a family friendly city with very good schools, affordable housing and a very safe environment.