At a Glance
- Tasks: Join us to develop innovative digital twin technologies and collaborate with EU partners.
- Company: Be part of Newcastle University's cutting-edge School of Engineering.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, generous holiday package, and strong pension scheme.
- Other info: Dynamic research environment with opportunities for professional growth and collaboration.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on urban development through advanced research and technology.
- Qualifications: Knowledge in BIM, GIS, IoT, and experience in data processing with Python required.
The predicted salary is between 33951 - 36636 £ per year.
We invite you to join the School of Engineering as a Research Assistant/Associate in Digital Twin Development. You will work in the NU‑DICE Lab and contribute to the WILSON Horizon Europe project, coordinating work with 15 EU partners.
Key Responsibilities
- Develop and implement modules for federated digital twin technologies, including dashboards for visualizing buildings, districts, and city‑scale data.
- Connect diverse datasets and use cases (energy and non‑energy services) and collaborate with partners on federated data access mechanisms (IDS connectors and API).
- Support the development of use cases by enabling data sharing and utilisation across domains.
- Utilize the Newcastle Urban Observatory to demonstrate the federated digital twin approach and represent the university at project meetings across Europe.
- Assist in testing research outcomes in WILSON living labs and large‑scale pilots, e.g., the Newcastle Helix.
- Lead the technical development of digital twin interfaces, dashboards, and visualisation platforms for building, district, and city‑scale applications (for Research Associate).
- Design and implement BIM/GIS/IoT data integration workflows, including IFC, geospatial, semantic, time‑series and operational datasets.
- Develop federated digital twin approaches, including APIs, data access mechanisms, semantic interoperability workflows and data‑sharing processes.
- Determine appropriate technical and research methodologies, contribute original ideas to the project’s digital twin architecture and demonstrators.
- Attend and contribute to regular project update meetings, consortium meetings and technical partner meetings.
- Contribute to the writing up of research, including reports, papers and presentations, and assist in grant applications.
- Supply or coordinate own work with others, problem‑solve to achieve research objectives and support planning of the research.
- Present research findings to project leaders and wider audiences, including conferences and publications.
- Fetch, analyse, and interpret research data, draw conclusions, and supply input into dissemination.
- Support the use of research resources, including laboratories and specialist equipment.
Qualifications & Experience
- Knowledge of BIM, IFC, Open BIM, GIS and/or IoT data integration for built‑environment applications.
- Experience in processing, managing and visualising heterogeneous datasets, including building, geospatial, sensor, time‑series or operational data.
- Experience in scripting and data processing using Python or similar languages, including data cleaning, API integration and visualisation.
- Attention to detail and ability to work at a high level of accuracy.
- Strong presentation skills and ability to communicate complex information effectively.
- Proven ability to analyse data, write‑up results and collaborate with colleagues.
- Excellent IT skills in all major office applications.
- Personal initiative and creativity to solve research problems.
- MSc or near‑completion PhD in Building/Construction Informatics, Computing or Engineering (Civil, Architectural, Mechanical, Electrical) or related fields (for Research Assistant). PhD required for Research Associate.
- Leadership and substantial contributions to federated digital twin dashboards (Research Associate).
- Awareness of Data Spaces governance, semantic interoperability frameworks, and research environments.
- High analytical and problem‑solving capacity and strong communication skills (Research Associate).
- Experience with conference presentations and high‑quality publications (Research Associate).
Attributes & Behaviour
- Positive collaboration within a multi‑skilled research team.
- Ability to negotiate, prioritise and meet multiple deadlines.
- Commitment to continuous professional development.
- Understanding of equality, inclusion and diversity best practice.
Please submit an up‑to‑date CV and a supporting statement outlining how you meet the essential and desirable criteria via the application link. For further information or informal discussion, contact Prof Mohamad Kassem or Dr Xiang Xie. Newcastle University is an equal opportunities employer and a Disability Confident employer.
Research Assistant/Associate in Digital Twin Development employer: Newcastle University
Newcastle University offers an exceptional work environment for Research Assistants and Associates in Digital Twin Development, fostering a culture of innovation and collaboration within the NU-DICE Lab. Employees benefit from a generous holiday package, a strong pension scheme, and various health and wellbeing initiatives, all while contributing to impactful projects alongside leading EU partners. With a commitment to professional development and a focus on equality, inclusion, and diversity, Newcastle University is dedicated to supporting its staff in achieving meaningful and rewarding careers.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Research Assistant/Associate in Digital Twin Development
✨Join Engineering Meetups!
Get yourself along to local engineering meetups or tech conferences. These are great places to connect with like-minded folks and industry leaders who might just have a lead on that full-time Research Assistant/Associate in Digital Twin Development role you’re after at Newcastle University.
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We think you need these skills to ace Research Assistant/Associate in Digital Twin Development
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Technical Expertise:When applying for an engineering role like Research Assistant/Associate in Digital Twin Development, it’s essential to highlight your technical skills. Include any relevant software or tools you're proficient in on your CV—think CAD software, simulation tools, or programming languages. Don't skimp on any engineering projects you've worked on that demonstrate your ability to solve complex problems.
Focus on Results and Impact:In the engineering world, we love numbers and real-world impact. Quantify your achievements wherever possible—like reducing costs by a certain percentage, improving efficiency, or successfully completing a project ahead of schedule. This gives your future employers at Newcastle University a clear picture of the value you can bring.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Use your cover letter to express your passion for engineering and explain why you’re drawn to Newcastle University specifically. Share what aspects of their work excite you and how your values align with theirs. This is your chance to show a bit of personality while keeping it professional!
Include Relevant Certifications:If you have any engineering certifications, especially ones that are recognised in your field, make sure to feature them prominently on your CV. They demonstrate not just your knowledge, but also your commitment to professional development, which is something we at StudySmarter value highly.
How to prepare for a job interview at Newcastle University
✨Brush Up on Core Engineering Principles
Before heading into the interview with Newcastle University, make sure you're solid on the fundamental engineering principles relevant to the role. Be ready to discuss concepts such as thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, or structural analysis, depending on the specifics mentioned in the job description. Don’t skip any hands-on projects or coursework; these can be excellent talking points!
✨Show Off Your Problem-Solving Skills
Expect technical questions or case studies during your interview—after all, engineering is all about solving problems! Prepare a few examples of how you've tackled engineering challenges in the past, whether at university or in any practical experience. Practising with mock technical interviews can really help you articulate your thought process and solutions.
✨Relate Your Experience to the Role
In a full-time role, employers like Newcastle University want to see that you can adapt and grow within their team. Be ready to discuss how your previous internships, projects, or studies relate directly to the work you'll be doing. Highlight specific experiences that showcase your collaborative skills and how you've successfully worked within a team environment.
✨Know Your Tools and Software
Most engineering roles require familiarity with specific tools and software. Prepare to talk about your proficiency with programmes like AutoCAD, MATLAB, or SolidWorks if they’re relevant to the role. Even better, have examples of projects where you’ve used these tools, as it'll demonstrate your hands-on experience and readiness for the job.
