Research Associate on Surgical Robotics

King's College London - Surgical & Interventional Engineering

About Us

We are seeking a talented mechanical or mechatronics engineer with experience in robotics and physical system development to join Prof Christos Bergeles’ Group in the School of Biomedical Engineering & Imaging Sciences, King’s College London. You will join a dynamic and successful surgical robotics team with access to both cutting-edge instrumentation for robot development and world-renowned expertise.

Together, we are developing next-generation surgical robotic systems based on continuum and flexible robotic technologies, enabling new approaches to cancer diagnosis, regenerative therapy delivery, and microsurgical intervention.

Our work sits at the intersection of mechanical engineering, robotics, and clinical translation, with a strong focus on developing high-precision systems that can operate reliably in demanding surgical environments.

The successful candidate will contribute to the development of a first-in-class robotic platform being translated towards first-in-human clinical investigation, working within a highly interdisciplinary team of engineers, scientists, and clinicians.

About The Role

Research in the Department of Surgical and Interventional Engineering within the School of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Sciences focuses on developing robotic systems for minimally invasive surgeries. The primary activity relating to this post is vitreoretinal surgical robotics. The project aims to create micro-precise systems that stably and precisely deliver therapies to the retinal layers over prolonged periods of time.

It is expected that the successful candidates will be enrolled in or hold a degree in engineering, physics, or relevant discipline. Experience in robot materials, design, modelling and prototyping is preferred.

The post holder will be employed within the School Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Sciences in the Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine at King’s College London. The successful applicant will be mostly based on the St. Thomas’ Hospital campus.

King’s College London recognises that equality of opportunity and the recognition and promotion of diversity are integral to its academic and economic strengths.

This is a part time post (10 Hours per week), and you will be offered a fixed term contract until 31 March 2025.

About You

To be successful in this role, we are looking for candidates to have the following skills and experience:

Essential criteria

• PhD degree (or equivalent experience) in mechanical engineering, mechatronics, or a closely related discipline.
• Strong experience in mechanical design and prototyping, including the use of CAD tools and hands-on development of physical systems.
• Experience in the design and analysis of robotic or compliant mechanisms, with understanding of kinematics, stiffness, and deformation behaviour.
• Experience in experimental validation of engineering systems, including designing and executing benchtop experiments and analysing performance metrics.
• Experience with system integration, including interfacing mechanical components with sensors, actuators, and control or software systems.
• Basic programming skills (e.g. Python, MATLAB, or similar) for data analysis, modelling, or experimental evaluation.

Desirable criteria

• Experience with continuum, soft, or flexible robotic systems, including modelling approaches (e.g. Cosserat rods, FEM) or precision actuation/transmission mechanisms.
• Experience with user-centred design or product-oriented engineering, including consideration of usability, ergonomics, or interaction with end-users (e.g. surgeons), and translating these into mechanical design requirements.
• Exposure to medical device development or regulated environments, including familiarity with design controls, verification and validation processes, or clinical translation.