Insect eggs are incredibly intricate and complex structures which are poorly studied when compared to sperm. To fertilise insect eggs, sperm must pass through a tiny pore called a micropyle, which connected to a channel leading inside the egg. Through our previous work on insect egg and sperm, we have shown that sperm and egg micropyles co-evolve.

The aim of this project is to quantify and explore the form and function of insect egg micropyles across insects. The post you would hold sits at the experimental heart of this: fabricating nano-scale physical analogues of egg surfaces and micropylar pores, and imaging live sperm as they move across and through them. These experiments are complemented by evolutionary analysis and mathematical modelling carried out with the wider team.

This is a laboratory-based post and we are looking above all for a strong experimentalist. You will have a PhD (or close to completion) in experimental biophysics, bioengineering, applied physics or a closely allied discipline, with demonstrable hands-on experience of micro- and nanofabrication and of quantitative live-cell imaging. You will fabricate microfluidic devices and develop live imaging protocols to visualise sperm movement over engineered surfaces and through pores. You will also contribute to computational modelling of sperm movement alongside our collaborator Dr Adnan Morshed (Tulane University, USA) and write and run analysis code in R and/or Python. You will have excellent communication skills with the ability to talk to different audiences, as you will be collaborating with a team of researchers across multiple disciplines both in the UK and overseas.

Closing Date: 10 Sep 2026

Department: Research

Salary: £38,784 per annum
Please note, this post is fixed-term for 36 months and full-time at 1 FTE.

We are seeking a KTP Associate – Advanced Heat Exchanger Design for an exciting 24-month Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) between the University of Lincoln and Specialist Heat Exchangers Ltd. (SHE).

What You'll Be Doing

Based at SHE in Lincoln, UK, you’ll play a pivotal role in developing and implementing ground-breaking heat exchanger technologies that advance both theory and practice. From enhancing heat transfer models to building experimental test rigs, you’ll be at the forefront of engineering innovation. The KTP aims to embed new analytical modelling capabilities into SHE, improving product design and increasing market presence.

By working alongside SHE’s industry leaders and academic experts from the University of Lincoln, you’ll contribute to designs that meet real industrial needs while embedding cutting-edge knowledge within the company. This unique multidisciplinary project will empower you to make a lasting impact in the field of thermal engineering.

What We’re Looking For

• A strong academic foundation: Honours degree (essential) or Master’s/PhD (desirable) in Mechanical or Chemical Engineering, or a related field with some knowledge of heat transfer or fluid dynamics.
• Hands-on experience: Practical knowledge in experimental testing, instrumentation, data acquisition from the test rigs (essential).
• Programming skills with MATLAB and C++ (essential).
• Innovative problem-solver: Strong critical thinking and organisational skills with the ability to manage complex data and develop new analytical models (essential).
• Team player with initiative: Demonstrated commercial awareness, project management skills, and the ability to work both independently and collaboratively.
• Self-motivated learner, able to quickly acquire and apply new knowledge.

• Hands-on experience in 2D/3D CAD design (desirable)
• Familiarity with heat exchanger design software e.g. HTRI or Aspen EDR. (desirable)

Why Join Us?

This KTP offers:

• Mentorship and direct support from SHE’s senior management and academic experts.
• Access to a tailored training and development budget.
• Professional growth opportunities, including potential employment with SHE post-KTP.
• The chance to drive ground-breaking engineering solutions and contribute to the future of heat exchanger technology.

The role is based at Specialist Heat Exchangers Limited in Lincoln, UK, located just three miles from the University of Lincoln campus. Occasional visits to the University of Lincoln campus will be required.

To learn more about KTPs, please visit https://www.ktp-uk.org/graduates/

If you would like further information or an informal discussion about this exciting opportunity, please contact Dr Pouriya Niknam, Senior Lecturer in Engineering, at phniknam@lincoln.ac.uk.

Closing Date: 16 Aug 2026

Department: Research

Salary: Please note, this post is fixed-term for 17 months and full-time at 37 hours per week.

You will work on Vitrum, an ambitious Innovate UK-funded collaborative project developing a commercially deployable, fully dexterous robotic harvester for on-the-vine tomatoes. The project addresses one of the UK's most pressing challenges in horticulture—the shortage of skilled labour—by enabling automated harvesting of protected crops. The technology aims to support growers in expanding domestic glasshouse production, improving productivity, and reducing reliance on imported produce. Vitrum is led by Dogtooth Technologies in partnership with APS Produce and the University of Lincoln, bringing together expertise in advanced robotics, AI-driven perception, and commercial horticulture to validate robotic harvesting under real production conditions.

The Role

At the University of Lincoln, our research focuses on advanced perception and scene understanding for robotic harvesting. The successful candidate will contribute to the development of novel methods for:

• simultaneous 3D scene reconstruction and plant modelling;
• multi-modal scene sensing and interpretation;
• pre-harvest fruit quality assessment; and
• perception algorithms for autonomous crop harvesting.

We are particularly interested in applicants with experience in one or more of the following areas:

• multi-view 3D reconstruction;
• computational geometry and 3D vision;
• plant or crop modelling;
• computer vision for robotics;
• multi-modal and multi-spectral sensing.

About You

You should hold, or be close to completing, a PhD in robotics, computer vision, artificial intelligence, computer science, engineering, or another closely related discipline. You will have:

• excellent mathematical and analytical skills;
• strong programming experience in C++ and Python;
• experience with ROS or related robotic software frameworks;
• the ability to conduct high-quality independent research while working effectively within a multidisciplinary team; and
• excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Evidence of publications in internationally recognised venues appropriate to your career stage will be highly desirable.

What We Offer

This position provides an outstanding opportunity to conduct cutting-edge research at the intersection of robotics, AI, and agriculture. You will:

• collaborate with leading academic and industrial partners;
• work with state-of-the-art agricultural robots, advanced sensors, and AI systems;
• have access to industrial-scale glasshouse facilities and research farms;
• contribute to the development of technologies with clear commercial and societal impact; and
• help supervise and mentor PhD students within our growing agri-robotics research group.

Appointment

This is a full-time, fixed-term position until 30 June 2028, with excellent opportunities for professional development and future research collaborations.

For informal enquiries, please contact Prof. Grzegorz Cielniak (gcielniak@lincoln.ac.uk).

Closing Date: 14 Aug 2026

Department: Research

Salary: £38,784 per annum
Please note, this post is fixed-term until 30 June 2028 and full-time at 1 FTE.