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MFAB WORKING GROUP ON MARINE AUTONOMOUS AND ROBOTIC SYSTEMS
National Oceanography Centre
North Aurora, IL, USA
Posted on Oct 28, 2025
MFAB WORKING GROUP ON MARINE AUTONOMOUS AND ROBOTIC SYSTEMS
** Please note this is an unpaid position **
CLOSING DATE: 21 NOVEMBER 2025
START DATE: JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2026
Are you interested in marine autonomous and robotic systems for ocean observation? In autonomous underwater vehicles, underwater gliders, remotely operated vehicles or autonomous surface vehicles?
The Marine Facilities Advisory Board (MFAB) advises the National Oceanography Centre on marine facilities and services, including the Natural Environment Research Council’s National Marine Equipment Pool (NMEP).
Within MFAB, the Marine Autonomous and Robotic Systems Working Group (MARS-WG), under the coordination of the MARS Chief Scientists Dr Filipa Carvalho and Prof Veerle Huvenne, is looking for 8-10 enthusiastic members from the UK marine science community. We seek a range of expertise, job roles (technical, scientific, data etc.), disciplines, platforms, backgrounds, and career stages.
The primary objective of the working group is to provide recommendations to MFAB on future UK investment and development priorities for the UK MARS fleet in the National Marine Equipment Pool (NMEP).
Broader objectives include:
- Promote the visibility of the current and emerging NMEP MARS technical and science capability within the UK marine science and technology community.
- Provide an open forum to discuss the NMEP MARS capability and requirements.
- Encourage new collaborations and enable new users to engage with marine robotics and autonomy.
Eligibility Criteria (Essential)
Affiliation: Based at a UK research institution or organization involved in marine science.
Field of work: Active involvement in marine science, technology or data management, particularly with relevance to marine autonomy or robotics.
Experience & Skills (Desirable)
Technical Knowledge: Familiarity of working with marine autonomous or robotic systems: ether with their development, delivery or deployment; or with the processing, analysis, use or management of their datasets.
Fieldwork Experience: Participation in or planning of marine robotic missions
Collaborative Work: Experience working in multidisciplinary or cross-institutional teams.
Motivation & Contribution
Statement of Interest: Clear articulation of why you want to join the working group and what you hope to contribute.
Commitment to engagement: Willingness to actively participate in meetings, discussions, and working group activities.
Vision: Ideas for improving the UK marine robotic and autonomous fleet, and for increasing its visibility.
COMMITMENT
- Two virtual meetings per year, for up to two hours. First meeting will be held in late January/early February,
- Preparation and reading time for meetings.
- Term is two years, with the option to renew.
EXPENSES
Position of member on this working group is unremunerated. Meetings will be conducted on-line.
HOW TO APPLY:
- Please click on 'Apply' and upload a recent CV
- Please also upload an expression of interest (EOI) letter (maximum two pages) outlining what you hope to contribute to the working group and your vision for its role in the UK marine science community
- Declare any potential conflicts of interest on your EOI letter - NOC policy available on request from the MFAB Secretary (jfpea@noc.ac.uk)
Selection of new members will be made by a sub-group from the MFAB membership and will include either or both of the MARS Chief Scientists.
DIVERSITY, EQUALITY AND INCLUSION
We are committed to fostering diversity and inclusion in our workplace. We actively encourage qualified candidates from all backgrounds to apply for this position, as we strive to create a supportive and equitable environment where all voices are valued and heard.
Those seeking to join this working group will be considered solely on their qualifications, skills, and experience, without regard to gender, gender identity, age, race, religion, disability, sex, sexual orientation, relationship status, family status (including pregnancy / maternity leave) or any other protected characteristic.
NOC is an Investors in People organisation.
Geographic Diversity: We are seeking candidates from different regions and institutions across the UK.
Disciplinary Diversity: We are looking for members with different levels of expertise and different job roles (technical, scientific, data...), and from different disciplines, platforms, backgrounds, and career stages. ECRs, for example, may find this a useful opportunity to enhance experience.
ANY QUESTIONS
If you have any questions about the MARS WG, please get in touch (MARS_Chief_Scientist@noc.ac.uk).