Research Assistant/Associate

Salary:

Research Assistant: £32,546 to  £34,132 per annum

Research Associate: £35,116 to £37,174 per annum

Newcastle University is a great place to work, with excellent benefits. We have a generous holiday package; plus the opportunity to buy more, great pension schemes and a number of health and wellbeing initiatives to support you.

Closing Date: 08 May 2025

The Role

We are seeking a motivated and skilled Research Assistant/Associate to lead our research efforts in developing data visualisation and interactive dashboard technologies within an integrated digital twin environment.

The candidate will focus on developing a dashboard solution to visualise raw sensor data and transformed/congregated data through AI and other data analytics methods. This will also involve integrating multiple data sources, including Building Information Models (BIM) and Geographic Information System (GIS) data.

Working under a project co-funded by Innovate UK, you will have the unique opportunity to participate in a multidisciplinary environment, collaborating closely with other researchers within our lab and our industry partners.

You will play a pivotal role in translating research outcomes into real-world impact by supporting the technical integration of a data-driven dashboard with the database infrastructure. This will involve working closely with the research and development team to ensure seamless data connectivity, optimise data flows, and contribute to the integration into the software tool and deployment of a user-friendly interface that enables stakeholders to access, interpret, and act on insights derived from the dashboard.

For more information or informal enquiries, please contact Prof Mohamad Kassem (Mohamad.kassem@newcastle.ac.uk)

For further details on the Faculty of Science, Agriculture & Engineering please visit our web page at: https://www.ncl.ac.uk/sage/

This is a full time, fixed term role for 3-4 months.

Knowledge, Skills, and Experience

• AI and Machine Learning Skills: proficiency in various AI and machine learning methodologies, including supervised and unsupervised learning on image and tabular data. Familiarity with some of the latest AI frameworks and libraries, such as TensorFlow, PyTorch, Keras, etc
• Programming skills: Experience with scripting languages such as Python for data analysis and machine learning applications and software development
• Data management skills: Proficiency in database management systems (DBMS), including SQL and NoSQL databases, to store and manage data efficiently
• Cloud Computing and APIs: Experience with cloud computing platforms such as AWS, Google Cloud, or Azure, particularly their AI and machine learning services. Proficiency in developing and utilising APIs for the integration of AI functionalities into digital twin solutions
• Software Development and Integration: Experience in software development and in integrating AI models into existing systems and digital twin platforms

Desirable

• Experience in custom extension developments (plugins and add-ons) in the area of Building Information Modelling (BIM) and Geographic Information System (GIS), such as plugins or add-ons to automate tasks or introduce new capabilities
• Understanding of principles of project planning and control
• Familiarity with open data formats in the AEC sector, such as Industry Foundation Classes (IFC)
• Understanding of cybersecurity principles relevant to AI and digital twins, including data privacy, ethical AI use, and secure software development practices

Attributes and Behaviour

• The ability to work autonomously and the confidence to lead
• The ability to work independently and collaboratively with colleagues and external industry partners
• Personal motivation and drive
• Excellent organisational and planning skills
• Thrives in a project environment with the ability to work to tight deadlines
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate at all levels to different stakeholder groups in both academia and industry
• Excellent verbal, written and presentation skills

Qualifications

• Candidates should have an MSc or PhD in Computer Science, Data Science, Civil Engineering or a related field

Newcastle University is a global University where everyone is treated with dignity and respect.  As a University of Sanctuary, we aim to provide a welcoming place of safety for all, offering opportunities to people fleeing violence and persecution.

We are committed to being a fully inclusive university which actively recruits, supports and retains colleagues from all sectors of society.  We value diversity as well as celebrate, support and thrive on the contributions of all of our employees and the communities they represent.  We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer and encourage applications from individuals who can complement our existing teams, we believe that success is built on having teams whose backgrounds and experiences reflect the diversity of our university and student population.

At Newcastle University we hold a silver  Athena Swan award in recognition of our good employment practices for the advancement of gender equality.  We also hold a Race Equality Charter Bronze award in recognition of our work towards tackling race inequality in higher education REC.  We are a Disability Confident employer and will offer an interview to disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the role as part of the offer and interview scheme.

In addition, we are a member of the Euraxess initiative supporting researchers in Europe. 

Requisition ID: 28118