Specialist Technician

We are seeking a Specialist Technician to support the SMARTNESTS ERC-funded research programme at the University of Bristol. The project investigates how three-dimensional nest architecture shapes collective behaviour and disease resilience in social insects (primarily ants), combining behavioural biology with experimental engineering. You will play a central role in developing novel experimental systems, including the design and fabrication of three-dimensional environments, integration of imaging and tracking technologies, and implementation of real-time automated control systems. This is a unique opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge interdisciplinary research at the interface of biology, engineering and data-driven science.What will you be doing? Key roles:

• Develop experimental platforms for real-time tracking of individuals, resources and pathogens within complex three-dimensional ant nest environments, using integrated imaging, embedded optics and custom illumination systems.
• Design and implement closed-loop control systems to monitor and manipulate behaviour in real time, linking tracking data to automated actuation.
• Contribute to the development and integration of a combined tracking and analysis pipeline, integrating 3D surface scanning, automated tracking, and AI-based methods (e.g. pose estimation and behavioural classification) for fine-grained analysis of behaviour.
• Design and modify complex three-dimensional structures in CAD to engineer specific network and spatial properties (e.g. connectivity, compartmentalisation), and translate these into manufacturable systems.
• Develop and prototype novel physical experimental systems, combining advanced fabrication approaches (e.g. 3D printing, casting, kiln-based processes) to create robust and reproducible research platforms.
Supporting responsibilities:
• Integrate hardware, imaging, sensing and control components into cohesive and reliable experimental platforms.
• Test, optimise and troubleshoot complex experimental systems.
• Develop robust, reproducible workflows for system fabrication and experimental deployment.
• Prepare technical documentation, including standard operating procedures and risk assessments.
• Provide specialist technical training, guidance and support to students and research staff in the use and development of experimental systems.
• Liaise with internal facilities and external suppliers to support system development and procurement.
  
  You have experience designing, developing or integrating experimental systems, instrumentation or technical solutions.
• You have strong practical skills in prototyping, fabrication or building bespoke hardware.
• You are able to diagnose and solve complex technical problems and work independently.
• You are comfortable working across multiple technical domains and integrating hardware, software and experimental workflows.
• You have excellent organisational skills and can manage multiple concurrent tasks and priorities.
• You have experience working in interdisciplinary environments, supporting research projects, or contributing to the development of novel technical systems.
• You are motivated to apply engineering approaches to study complex biological systems, including collective behaviour in social insects.