Research Assistant/Associate

Salary: Research Assistant: £33,951 - £35,608 per annum

            Research Associate: £36,636 - £43,482 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: 18 June 2026

The Role

We are excited to launch this new opportunity for a Research Assistant/Associate in Experimental Fluid Dynamics to join us at the School of Mathematics, Statistics & Physics in Newcastle. You will work across our campus having an office space in the School of Mathematics, Statistics & Physics, Herschel Building and a state-of-the-art laboratory space in our newly renovated School of Engineering, Stephenson Building. You will work under the guidance of Dr Magda Carr as part of an internationally leading team including colleagues at the British Antarctic Survey (Hendry, Meredith & Munday) and the Scottish Association for Marine Science (Inall).

You will contribute to a recently awarded Leverhulme-funded project on the Experimental Study of Internal Tsunamis Generated by Glacial Calving. Internal tsunamis are underwater waves that propagate on density interfaces within stably stratified fluids. Recent observations have shown that glacier calving can be responsible for their generation which in turn plays an important role in driving regional shelf mixing within polar waters. This has significant implications for glacier dynamics, ice shelf retreats, sea ice, biogeochemistry and marine productivity, thus affecting global sea level and climate.

In this project a laboratory-based approach is proposed to gain insight into the fundamental physics underlying how internal tsunamis are generated by calving events. The results will inform how global ocean numerical climate models should be best parametrised to incorporate the effect of internal tsunami energetics.

You will be part of a multidisciplinary team working across three institutions (Newcastle, BAS and SAMS) and gain the opportunity to become part of a global network. The team will consult regularly with the NERC funded POLOMINTS Large Grant team (led by Meredith). As such, you will gain invaluable experience of working in a truly interdisciplinary team.

We are particularly keen to hear from those with a passion for collaboration and the ability to interact and engage with a diverse network of specialists. We are looking for candidates who have a PhD and/or Post-Doc experience in Fluid Dynamics, Physical Oceanography, Applied Mathematics or a related discipline. Enthusiasm for research, an ability to think and work independently, excellent analytical skills and strong verbal and written communication skills are essential requirements. Some knowledge of fluid dynamics, an interest in experimental work and evidence of publication are desirable.

We follow the Researcher Development Concordat: Researcher Development | Our Research | Newcastle University. We enable all colleagues to fulfil their research potential regardless of career stage. This commitment secures our thriving research culture and vibrant research environment. Our offer to each individual and their researcher development includes mentoring, annual research planning discussions, pooled research funding to support career development and research activities, peer review support for the development of research and innovation funding applications’.

As a Leverhulme funded role, the successful applicant may be eligible for the Endorsed Funder Route of the Global Talent Visa. We can provide an interest free loan scheme to support applicants who need to apply for a visa.  

We want you to feel confident when applying for a position with Newcastle University. If you’d like an informal discussion to clarify any points, please contact magda.carr@newcastle.ac.uk. We are committed to making the process accessible to everyone and can provide additional support to adjustments to meet your needs

How to apply – please provided a CV and a cover letter detailing how you meet the essential criteria. Please ensure they are of no more than 2 sides of A4 each.

What happens next – Interviews will take place online within 1 month of the application deadline.

As part of our commitment to career development for research colleagues, the University has developed 3 levels of Research Innovation Role Profiles.pdf.  These profiles set out firstly the generic competencies and responsibilities expected of role holders at each level and, secondly, the general qualifications and experiences needed for entry at a particular level.

Find out more about the Faculty of Science, Agriculture & Engineering here: Faculty of Science, Agriculture & Engineering | Faculty of Science, Agriculture & Engineering | Newcastle University

Find out more about our Research in Applied Mathematics: Applied Mathematics Research | School of Mathematics, Statistics and Physics | Newcastle University

The post is full time and the duration of post is 48 months with an anticipated start date of 01/09/2026

Key Accountabilities

Research Assistant

• Collect, analyse and interpret research data and draw conclusions on the outcomes.
• Co-ordinate own work with that of others, use problem solving to affect the achievement of research objectives and contribute to the planning of the project(s).
• Present information on research progress and outcomes to a Principal Investigator or groups overseeing the research project.
• Write up results from own research activity and provide input into the research project’s dissemination, in whatever form (report, papers, chapters, books).
• Use research resources (including, where required, laboratories, workshops and specialist equipment) as appropriate.
• Conduct experimental laboratory-based research related to the project.
• Monitor project progress and deliver results within given schedules.
• Provide regular research performance update reports to the project team.
• Work in collaboration with a multidisciplinary team.

Research Associate

• Contribute ideas, including enhancements to the technical or methodological aspects of the project.
• Determine appropriate methodologies for research.
• Assess research findings for the need/scope for further investigations.
• Contribute to the writing up of the research and its dissemination, either through seminar and conference presentations or through publications.
• Present research findings, either at conferences or through publications in reputable outlets appropriate to the discipline.
• Contribute to grant applications submitted by others and develop own research objectives and proposals for funding.

 The Person

 Knowledge, Skills and Experience

Research Assistant

• Experience of research work in experimental fluid dynamics
• Attention to detail and ability to work at high levels of accuracy
• Ability to present complex information effectively to a range of audiences
• Proven ability to analyse data and write-up results
• Experience of working collaboratively with colleagues
• Excellent IT skills in all major office applications
• The ability to use personal initiative and creativity to solve research problems.

Research Associate

• Experience in flow visualisation and measurement technologies
• Awareness of the research environment
•  High level of analytical and problem-solving capacity
•  Ability to communicate complex information with clarity
• Experience of presentations at conferences and/or in high quality publications

Attributes and Behaviour

• Commitment to working positively as a member of a multi-skilled research team
• Ability to negotiate and prioritise multiple, competing responsibilities and to work to deadlines
• Commitment to continued professional development
• Understanding of and commitment to good practice in equality, inclusion and diversity

Qualifications

Research Assistant

• Honours degree in a numerate discipline such as physical oceanography, applied mathematics, physics or engineering with PhD completion expected imminently.

In addition for Research Associate

• PhD in a numerate discipline such as physical oceanography, applied mathematics, physics or engineering.

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 Gold 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: 29394