"Project Officer: Robotics & AI (0.2FTE, Maternity cover 6 month contract)"

7 hours per week, Fixed-Term contract for 6 months

The Royal College of Art is seeking a talented and motivated Project Officer to join its cutting-edge Robotics Laboratory based at our state-of-the-art Battersea campus. This part-time role (0.2 FTE) is an exciting opportunity to support the delivery of Circular Robot 5.0, an EPSRC-funded research initiative applying robotics and AI to sustainable manufacturing. This role is to cover the maternity leave of the current postholder, to start mid March for up to 6 months.

About the Role

Working closely with Dr Sina Sareh, Academic Leader in Robotics and Principal Investigator, the Project Officer will coordinate a consortium of academic and industry partners to ensure timely delivery of project goals. You’ll provide project management expertise, research support, and administrative coordination across consortium activities.

You’ll play a key role in developing activity plans, tracking progress, managing reporting, coordinating events, and communicating outcomes—ensuring the project delivers impactful results on schedule and within budget. You will also support dissemination, stakeholder engagement, and funding development.

About You

You’ll have proven experience supporting or managing collaborative research projects in higher education or industry. Ideally, you will bring familiarity with robotics and artificial intelligence, and a passion for research that makes a difference in sustainability and manufacturing.

You are highly organised, proactive, and an excellent communicator—comfortable coordinating multiple partners and managing diverse project demands. Experience with project tools such as Gantt charts and a working knowledge of research governance and data protection practices is essential.

Why Join Us?

The RCA is the world’s leading university of art and design, and our Robotics Laboratory is a disruptive design-led hub pushing the boundaries of innovation. Joining us means being part of an ambitious and inclusive community making a global impact.

Apply now to be part of a pioneering project shaping the future of sustainable robotics.

Please see Information Pack for more information.

Closing Date: 11.59pm on 9 March 2026

Application Process

To apply, please submit a CV, cover letter, and two recent publications through the RCA recruitment portal. For informal enquiries, please contact the Academic Leader in Robotics, Dr. Sina Sareh, at sina.sareh@rca.ac.uk.

Further details: Information Pack

RCA Benefits available here: https://www.rca.ac.uk/more/work-at-the-rca/staff-benefits/