Training for Research Technical Professionals

✅ Delivered bespoke workshops on topics including automated liquid handling, presenting research, and AI 

✅ Provided funding of up to £1,000 per institution for RTPs to use for training purposes 

✅ Funded RTPs to attend various training sessions, from health & safety to supporting apprentices 

✅ Hosted webinars and online workshops 

✅ Collaborated with universities and research centres to pilot tailored development programmes 

We listened! Based on your feedback we’re expanding our training offer to include: 

• 🔧 Hands-on technical skills workshops including a robot construction hackathon, ROS training event, drone and automated liquid handling workshops 

• 💰Conference & Training Fund for RTPs to apply for up to £1,000 towards registration fees and travel expenses 

• ✅ Resources and toolkits to support career progression and recognition of technical roles. 

• 🌐 Peer learning and networking events to connect RTPs across institutions and disciplines. 

• 🧭 Career pathway support, including guidance on promotion routes, role recognition, and leadership development. 

• 🏛️ Placements & mentoring workshops – first cohort planned early 2026 

This programme is open to all Research Technical Professionals working in robotics and autonomous systems, including: 

• Lab technicians  

• Research engineers  

• Software developers  

• Systems integrators  

• Technical managers  

• Anyone in a supporting technical role within RAS research 

Whether you’re looking to upskill, connect with peers, or shape the future of technical careers in robotics, UK RAS STEPS is here to support you. 

For the latest opportunities, please view the News section of our website. 

👉 Please email info@ukras-steps.org if you would like to be added to our contacts list for future opportunities, or for any additional information or guidance. 

The Data & Slides presentation course changed the way I think about presenting my work. My slides have always been fairly simple, but I over-used bullet points. Now I have to rethink the way I do my presentations so that they are clearer and focus better on the points I want to convey. A great course with a fantastic presenter who really does know how to get his points across.

– Andy Blight, Robotics Software Technician, University of Leeds

The PowerPoint training provided by Duncan was highly engaging and unlike any other I have attended. The techniques I learned have transformed my presentations – my audiences are now more engaged, and I consistently receive numerous thoughtful questions at the end.

– Sarah Bennett, Head of Bio-Analytical Shared Resource Laboratories, University of Warwick

UK RAS STEPS focuses not only on technical skills and networking, but also soft-skills like communication. These adjacent skills are instrumental in our lab communicating our mission and needs to industry and funding bodies!

– Aaron Zidichouski, Technical Officer at the Robotics Living Lab (RoLL), Manchester Metropolitan University