This project will deliver new algorithms to operate highly automated Laboratory-roBots and maximise their experimentation rate on processes forming pharmaceutical and nanoparticle chemicals. The project sits within the EPSRC project Cognitive Chemical Manufacturing.
A robot-controlled laboratory where decisions are made by artificial intelligence will change the way new drugs are discovered. The University of Leeds is in the forefront of automated chemical manufacturing systems, and we a self motivated student with experience in coding to help develop a prototype "Lab-Bot" that will reduce the time it takes to identify and synthesise molecules and nano particles for new medicines and other high value chemicals
You will develop and validate tools and principles underpinning a new type of distributed control suitable for the complex operation of highly automated laboratory equipment. The detailed scope of the work will be set in discussion with the successful candidate but key activities will be
- Review laboratory control systems, and control philosophies in a broader context in order to specify the Lab-Bot control system requirements and behaviours.
- Develop an prototype agent based Lab-Bot operating system. Initial codes in python and Matlab are available, but these need significant development.
- Development of algorithms for hardware agents that control specific pieces of equipment. This involves analysis of complex historic data to anticipate equipment failure and request maintenance.
- Development of supervisory agents to control higher level functions such as experiment management, data storage and scheduling, managing/prioritising the information flow to the operators, and evaluation of results
- Field testing of the Lab-Bot control system on pharmaceutical chemistry and nanoparticle forming processes
The successful candidate will be based in the School of Chemical & Process Engineering and the School of Chemistry. The PhD project is part of the Cognitive Chemical Manufacturing project, through which you will collaborate with the industrial partners in the consortium and have the opportunity to demonstrate the operating system using Lab-bots located at our partners sites.
The Cognitive Chemical manufacturing project sits within the Sustainable Systems & Processes” and “Innovative Manufacturing and Products” research themes, allowing the researcher to draw on academic expertise ranging from process characterisation, multi-scale systems modelling and systems optimisation. Both themes offer a vibrant academic environment collectively hosting more than 50 expert staff and 100 PhD students. Applicants should have a strong background in Chemical/Mechanical/Electrical engineering together with experience in Matlab, Python or a similar programming environment.
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