Applications now open for the 2025 RAICo Fellows Scheme

The Robotics and AI Collaboration (RAICo) is offering innovation awards to early career researchers across the UK in the field of nuclear robotics or related technologies. 

The grant is designed to support researchers in developing promising technologies that can be applied to real-world nuclear decommissioning and fusion engineering challenges. By doing so, the grant aims to further RAICo’s mission of advancing technologies that address nuclear decommissioning and fusion engineering challenges.

Successful applicants will receive a grant of up to £10,000 and a bespoke package of mentoring, coaching and business support.

Benefits

• Up to £10,000 that can be used to support travel and subsistence costs to visit RAICo1 and other UK nuclear facilities, attend training courses, pay for consumables that are required to develop robotic solutions as part of the proposed project and support the costs of an individual’s time.
• Support with establishing relationships with engineers and scientists at relevant nuclear decommissioning sites in the UK.
• An assigned mentor from the RAICo partnership.
• A bespoke package of training and skills development that includes commercialisation training.

Duration of fellowship 

Fellows will be appointed for a period of approximately 9 months, with a requirement to spend at least one month in this period at the RAICo1 facility in Whitehaven.

Who can apply? 

Applicants must have completed a PhD in the broad field of robotics within the last 5 years (or equivalent if following a career break). We welcome applicants from a range of backgrounds, and particularly encourage women to apply. 

How to apply 

Applications must be submitted to [email protected] before 13/06/25

Application form: https://uomrobotics.com/onewebmedia/RF25 Fellows Application Form_v1.docx

Guidance: https://uomrobotics.com/onewebmedia/RF25 RAICo Fellows_Guidance_v1.docx

What the Fellowship involves

RAICo will appoint up to five RAICo Fellows who have innovative projects that offer the potential to address onsite challenges at Sellafield, Culham (UKAEA), or elsewhere across the NDA estate.

We will select applicants who:

• Have developed technology that has the potential to be of benefit in the decommissioning of nuclear facilities at sites including Sellafield, Culham, Dounreay and Magnox facilities.
• Aspire to develop their research and technologies to solve real-world problems.
• Will benefit from the package of support that will be provided to further develop their technology and career development.

As part of the award, RAICo will provide links to challenge owners at Sellafield, Dounreay and elsewhere across the NDA estate, and will support with establishing a business and commercialising nuclear robotics technology.

Fellows will be required to spend at least one month in this period at the RAICo1 facility in Whitehaven, Cumbria, where they can test their technologies in environments that  that replicate those across the nuclear decommissioning estate. 

Eligibility

To be considered for an award, applicants must:

Be employed, for the duration of the award, by a UK university or other UK research-focused organisation, or be a UK resident with the right to work in the UK for the duration of the award.

Completed a PhD in robotics or a related field within the past 5 years (or equivalent if returning to work after a career break).

Be able to commit to spending a minimum of one month, between 1 July 2025 and 31 March 2026, at the RAICo1 facility in Cumbria. This commitment may be fulfilled through multiple visits, if necessary.

Be willing to undertake regular visits to RAICo1 or other relevant nuclear sites throughout the 9-month award period (typically one visit per month).

Application

Applications must be submitted to [email protected] before 13/06/25

Application form: https://uomrobotics.com/onewebmedia/RF25 Fellows Application Form_v1.docx 

Guidance: https://uomrobotics.com/onewebmedia/RF25 RAICo Fellows_Guidance_v1.docx