Job Description

Salary

Research Assistant: £33,951 to £35,608 per annum (pro rata)

Research Associate: £36,636 per annum (pro rata)

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: 05 October 2026

The Role

Newcastle University is seeking two highly motivated researchers to join the groundbreaking RAPID (Real-time Predictive Monitoring of Particulate Flow for Industrial and Infrastructure Decision-making) project, an ambitious programme developing the next generation of intelligent railway adhesion-management technology.

RAPID is addressing one of the railway industry's most significant operational and safety challenges: the real-time prediction and optimisation of wheel-rail adhesion and sanding system performance. Working with industrial partner DB ESG, RSSB, and BrianRail, the project will advance a novel sensing and AI platform in field trials on operational railway infrastructure.

This is a unique opportunity to contribute to technology with the potential to improve railway safety, reliability and sustainability worldwide.

The successful candidate will work within a multidisciplinary team led by Dr Sadegh Nadimi.

Find out more about the Faculty of Science, Agriculture & Engineering here: https://www.ncl.ac.uk/sage/

Find out more about our School of Engineering: https://www.ncl.ac.uk/engineering/

Contact for the post is Dr Sadegh Nadimi: https://www.ncl.ac.uk/engineering/staff/profile/sadeghnadimi-shahraki.html

The post is part time 0.6 FTE and fixed term, until 30 June 2027.

Key Accountabilities

Research Assistant

• Design, develop, and optimise embedded sensing systems for railway sanding applications
• Conduct laboratory, rig-based, and field testing of RAPID prototypes
• Work closely with DB ESG and industry stakeholders during compliance assessment and railway trials
• 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

Research Associate

• Design, develop, and optimise embedded sensing systems for railway sanding applications
• Conduct laboratory, rig-based, and field testing of RAPID prototypes
• Work closely with DB ESG and industry stakeholders during compliance assessment and railway trials
• 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 analysing complex sensor or time-series datasets
• Experience of field testing
• 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

In addition for Research Associate

• Awareness of the research environment
• High level of analytical and problem solving capacity
• Ability to communicate technical findings to both academic and industrial audiences
• 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 good practice in equality, inclusion and diversity

Qualifications

Research Assistant

• Honours degree in Engineering or a related discipline

In addition for Research Associate

• PhD in Engineering, Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Physics or a related discipline

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: 29759