Putting a brain in the mobile robotic chemist

A fully funded PhD studentship is available in the area of computational chemistry/robotics in a chemical laboratory focusing on the development of the algorithmic infrastructure that underpins them. 

The overall goal of the Cooper group is to revolutionize the way that new materials are discovered by combining computational simulations, machine intelligence, robotics, and materials synthesis. A central problem is the enormity of the potential chemical search space, and better navigation of this space is a grand scientific challenge for our times. There are two possible solutions: the use of computational design to target better materials and the use of robotics to search the available experimental space much faster. This project brings these two ideas together, building on our recent development of the world’s first mobile ‘robotic chemist’ (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dRT3tepdMyI).

We are seeking a PhD student to focus on advancing the computational and machine intelligence of the robot using Machine Learning and/or Bayesian Optimisation methods. The main goal of the project will be to further accelerate and improve the discovery of new materials by enriching the navigation of the chemical space with external chemical knowledge that can be injected in various modalities such as literature-based, human feedback-based or data analysis-based.

We are looking for candidates with an enthusiasm for research, multidisciplinary collaboration and tackling challenging problems through teamwork. We are targeting candidates with an MSc and BSc in Computer Science/AI for this post.

The project will be based in the materials discovery research group led by Prof Andy Cooper (https://www.liverpool.ac.uk/cooper-group/). The project will also have access to unique facilities in the state-of-the-art Materials Innovation Factory at the University of Liverpool (https://www.liverpool.ac.uk/materials-innovation-factory). You will be part of a multi-disciplinary team and will interact with computational chemists, synthetic chemists, and also engineers and computer scientists developing the use of robots in the materials chemistry laboratory.

You do not need to have a strong background in chemistry, but a willingness to learn basic concepts, ontologies, and definitions is a requirement.

Entry Requirements

Applicants should hold, or expect to obtain, a good degree (equivalent to a UK First or Upper Second Class degree) in Computer Science/AI or other relevant discipline. Formal applications should be made to https://www.liverpool.ac.uk/study/postgraduate-research/how-to-apply/ quoting reference CCPR131.