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COAST PCL Robotics Project Scientist (California NanoSystems Institute)
Position overview
Position title: COAST PCL Robotics Project ScientistApplication Window
Open date: September 17, 2026
Next review date: Friday, Oct 2, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Apply by this date to ensure full consideration by the committee.
Final date: Wednesday, Mar 31, 2027 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Applications will continue to be accepted until this date, but those received after the review date will only be considered if the position has not yet been filled.
Position description
The Computation-Optimized Automated Soft materials Technology Programmable Cloud Laboratory Node (COAST PCL), funded by the National Science Foundation, is a national AI-driven materials innovation infrastructure that combines autonomous robotics, advanced scientific instrumentation, and AI-guided experiment planning. This research ecosystem connects the broad and disparate communities of Materials, Chemistry, Engineering, and Computer Science, and enables rapid discovery and manufacturing of materials with highly controlled and programmable composition, properties, and functionality.
COAST PCL is seeking a motivated individual to grow a world-class resource for AI-guided autonomous experimentation and to take a lead role in the development and application of these next-generation methods in advancing COAST PCL's research mission and enabling a national user base to utilize this resource.
Reporting to the Associate Director at UCSB, the Robotics Project Scientist will lead the robotic manipulation and laboratory automation capability at COAST PCL. The Robotics Project Scientist will spend 30% time, in tandem with the in-house research team, on making significant and creative contributions to in-house research, including designing, developing, and deploying robotic manipulation systems including robot arms, end effectors, and dexterous hands, for automated synthesis and characterization tasks, applying both learning-based and classical manipulation techniques to handle the variability of real laboratory materials and operations, and developing human-robot interaction approaches that allow researchers and technicians to work alongside and direct robotic systems safely and intuitively.
External users will also consult with the Robotics Project Scientist to develop a Project Feasibility and Research plan. The Robotics Project Scientist will review topically relevant COAST PCL user proposals and advise on whether the proposed work can be executed on the facility's robotic platforms, or if a proposal requires revision to be accepted, translating scientific requirements into robotic capabilities. The Robotics Project Scientist can also advise on how to set up the work to maximize the likelihood of success. The Robotics Project Scientist will devote 70% of their time to serve as a scientific and technical expert and train internal and external users in the operation of these systems, and on setting up, carrying out, and troubleshooting automated experiments in support of their work at COAST PCL. The Robotics Project Scientist will run a training module as part of the COAST PCL Summer School and other similar workshops that will serve to highlight the facilities and research capabilities and promote use by internal and external users.
Because COAST PCL is accessed remotely by a national user base, the Robotics Project Scientist will be responsible for making robust automated workflows. This includes designing the robotic workflows for experiments submitted by outside users on the platform. The Robotics Project Scientist will be responsible for troubleshooting, maintaining, calibrating, and documenting robotic systems for day-to-day operations. In addition, they will be required to collaborate across disciplines to bridge robotics with chemistry, materials, and software teams, translating scientific requirements into robotic capabilities.
Above all, COAST PCL seeks an individual who is passionate about contributing to cutting-edge scientific research. This is a hands-on technical role for someone who is current with the state of the field and excited to apply it to scientific automation.
Qualifications
• Ph.D. in Robotics, or a Ph.D. in a closely related engineering field (Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science) with demonstrated depth in robotics, at the time of application.
• Strong understanding of recent advances in the field, particularly in manipulation and learning-based methods.
• Demonstrated experience in robotic manipulation, including work with robot arms and end effectors or robotic hands.
• Strong programming skills, with proficiency in Python.
• Experience with human-robot interaction.
• Familiarity with robotics frameworks.
• Experience deploying robotic systems in scientific, laboratory, and/or industrial automation settings.
• Familiarity with materials, chemistry, and/or polymer workflows.
• Experience integrating robotics with analytical instrumentation or high-throughput experimentation.
• Experience with unattended or remotely operated systems, including error detection, failure recovery, and logging.
• Experience with mechanical design and fabrication of fixtures, tooling, or custom end effectors, including CAD.
• Familiarity with machine safety practices and standards for industrial and collaborative robots, and with safe handling of chemicals in an automated environment.
• Track record of peer-reviewed publications and/or deployed robotic systems.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a team-oriented work environment.
• Ability to work creatively and independently and follow through on assignments with minimal or no direction.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills to interact with faculty, staff, students, visitors, and the public.
• Skilled in project management, prioritizing workload, assessing timelines, and coordinating numerous assignments/projects simultaneously under heavy workload.
• Ability to utilize a variety of communication methods to move projects forward in a timely manner.
• Ability to work nights and weekends as needed.
Application Requirements
Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.
Cover Letter
Statement of Research
- 3-6 required (contact information only)
Applicants must provide the names and contact information (email and telephone) of at least 3 references. References of the top candidates will be contacted. Candidates under serious consideration may be required to provide additional references.
Help contact: debbie@cnsi.ucsb.edu
About UC Santa Barbara
As a condition of employment, the finalist will be required to disclose if they are subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct.
- “Misconduct” means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant’s previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment or discrimination as defined by the employer.
- UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
- UC Anti-Discrimination Policy for Employees, students and third parties
- APM - 035: Affirmative Action and Nondiscrimination in Employment
Additionally, you will be required to comply with the University of California Policy on Vaccination Programs, as may be amended or revised from time to time. Federal, state, or local public health directives may impose additional requirements.
The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state or federal law.