Two Research Assistant positions in Åutomate – an initiative for Automation and Digitalization of Research Labs Part-time

Two Research Assistant Positions in Åutomate

Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Science and Technology, Faculty of Technology, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, 202100-2932

Temporary part-time employment, (20%), with start as soon as possible, until 31 July 2026

Are you a committed, highly motivated student who likes solving real problems and is interested in contributing to important research? Then you should apply for the role of research assistant with us! As a research assistant, you are a student working part-time alongside your studies.

The Department of Materials Science and Engineering aims to be an environment for successful and valuable research and education with a focus on materials science solutions for important societal challenges. Our department is an exciting workplace with research in a broad technology-related area, from basic research to large-scale applied research, and close contacts with students through the department's involvement in engineering and master's programs. Our research and teaching are conducted within seven divisions with different research focuses, as well as a division that provides support and service. The department is an international place to work, and has around 230 active co-workers.

Åutomate is a new organization at Ångström supporting the adoption of automation and digitalization solutions into experimental research labs, to prepare them for the future of data-driven and AI-augmented research.

As an Åutomate research assistant, you will become part of a cross-departmental engineering cohort working at the forefront of laboratory automation and digitalization. You will have access to a shared workspace at Ångström, technical support from research engineers and faculty, and regular knowledge exchange with peers tackling diverse real-world challenges in robotics, electronics, data infrastructure, and scientific software. Åutomate is designed as both a hands-on engineering environment and a professional network – with optional seminars, informal lunches (and fika), and close interaction with active research groups – giving you practical experience that is directly relevant to advanced engineering careers in research and industry, or to future PhD studies.

Work duties

Åutomate works with active research labs to gather their needs for automation/digitalisation. These needs are converted to tasks which fall in one or more of the following areas:

Coding (e.g. python, instrument control, embedded systems, modular code design); Data Processing & Storage (e.g. signal analysis, computer vision, databases, data pipelines); Electronics & Control Systems (e.g. circuit design, PCB fabrication, sensing, actuation, PID control); Design & Fabrication (e.g. CAD, 3D printing, CNC, rapid prototyping); Robotics & Automation (e.g. robotic arms, motion systems).

In your work with Åutomate, you will be assigned short term tasks of the above type (depending on your specific profile). Tasks will typically involve the design/planning, implementation/fabrication and testing of the relevant solution. You will be provided with suitable supervision and resources to complete your tasks in a timely manner. The ambition is that you will apply and develop your skills in several such tasks (one task at a time) at different labs during your time in Åutomate. In each task, you will be required to work closely with the task owner and supervisor, and to clearly document and report the work.

To be hired as a research assistant, it is required that you are enrolled in and registered for undergraduate or advanced studies, and the employment may correspond to a maximum of 50% of full-time work. Employment as a research assistant is regulated by Chapter 5 of the Higher Education Ordinance.

For this position, it is required that you have good academic results from a master's or civil engineering program and have completed at least three years of full-time studies.

We also require good results from advanced-level courses in areas relevant to Åutomate (see below)

Qualification requirements:

Applicants should have experience with at least one, and preferably two of the following areas (we will prioritize recruitment so that overall, all listed competences are covered within Åutomate):

• Coding: Writing clean, modular, and well-documented code using Python, or relevant coding languages for microcontrollers/embedded systems.
• Data Processing & Storage: Experience with data pipelines, signal analysis, or computer vision; familiarity with databases and structured data formats.
• Electronics & Control Systems: Experience with circuit design, PCB fabrication, and component selection; familiarity with sensing, actuation, and closed-loop control strategies such as PID.
• Design & Fabrication: Proficiency in CAD modelling and hands-on experience with manufacturing methods such as 3D printing, CNC machining, or other rapid prototyping techniques.
• Robotics & Automation: Experience with robotic arms, motion systems, or similar mechatronic platforms; familiarity with kinematics, trajectory planning, or automation workflows.

We also require very good English communication skills, both spoken and written.

Additional qualifications

It is meriting if you can demonstrate previous coursework, work experience or completed hobby projects in one or more of the areas listed above.

Important personal qualities for this position include a focus on quality, creative problem solving, a capacity to work independently and the ability to communicate clearly and constructively

Instructions for application

The application shall include:

• A short cover letter in which you describe yourself and why you are suitable for this position (max 1 page)
• CV (max 1 page)
• Proof of registration showing that you are enrolled and registered in education at a university during the semester, and
• any other relevant documents (copies of grades, reference details, recommendation letters, etc.).

We will during the application period read applications and call for interviews

About the employment The position is temporary in accordance with Chapter 5, §12 of the Higher Education Ordinance. The extent is 20%. The start date is by agreement. Location: Uppsala.

For further information about the position please contact: Jonathan Staaf Scragg jonathan.scragg@uu.se

Please submit your application by 07-04-2026, UFV-PA 2026/823