At a Glance
- Tasks: Join us in designing and building a floating platform for wave and tidal energy.
- Company: Newcastle University is a leading global institution committed to inclusivity and innovation.
- Benefits: Enjoy generous holidays, health initiatives, and a supportive work environment.
- Other info: Flexible role focusing on electrical or hydrodynamic design; 7-month fixed term.
- Why this job: Be part of groundbreaking research with real-world impact in renewable energy.
- Qualifications: Ideal candidates are engineers or researchers with relevant simulation and design experience.
The predicted salary is between 27500 - 38000 £ per year.
Research Associate: £35,116 - £45,413 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: 17 September 2025
The Role
The Research Assistant/Associate will be part of Newcastle University\'s Electrical Power Group working with the Marine Resources and Renewable Energy Group. The aim of the role is to assist in the design modelling and build of a floating platform which harvests wave and tidal energy. This is a short technology demonstration project where the ability to make a quick engineering decision early in the project is just as important as the ability to do the follow up detailed simulation and optimisation work. The role involves first hand research in small scale wave and tidal energy extraction, working with electrical and hydrodynamic academics and fabrication companies.
The project builds on long term work and expertise of the group in wave energy and tidal stream energy, such as that described in academic outputs.
You will be given the high level design of the tidal and wave generation concepts and must work with the academics and fabrication company on translating this into a workable design with a predictable yield. This is a flexible role and depending on the candidate\'s experience and research aspirations, the work may focus on the electrical power take off design or the hydrodynamic design of either a low speed tidal turbine or a small heaving wave energy converter.
This is a full time role (37 hours per week) for a fixed term basis of 7 months.
To apply, please complete the online application form and attach a copy of your CV and a covering letter. The cover letter should outline how you meet the person specific knowledge, skills and experience listed for this role.
For informal enquiries, you can contact nick.baker@newcastle.ac.uk or kayvan.pazouki@newcastle.ac.uk
For more information about the School of Engineering, please click here
The Person (Essential)
You will be an engineer or research scientist with a flexible attitude towards problem solving. The background can be electrical, mechanical hydrodynamic or similar and must include some element of relevant simulation and design work.
Knowledge, Skills and Experience
• Experience in developing wave or tidal energy or similar field
• Simulation experience in finite element analysis and/or hydrodynamics and/or time domain simulation such as Matlab SIMULINK
• Ability to communicate research results verbally and in scientific writing
Attributes and Behaviour
• Strong interpersonal and team-working skills, ability to work in a multi-disciplinary team
• Able to work independently and report to technical, academic and industrial stakeholders
Qualifications
Essential for Research Associate
• Fully completed and awarded PhD in relevant area
Essential for Research Assistant
• Relevant degree in Electrical, Mechanical, Marine or related subject
• Nearing completion of PhD in relevant area
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: 28460
Contact Us
Research Assistant/Associate in Marine Renewable Energy employer: Newcastle University
Newcastle University is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and inclusive work environment that prioritises employee wellbeing and professional growth. With generous benefits including a substantial holiday package, excellent pension schemes, and a commitment to diversity and equality, employees are empowered to thrive in their roles while contributing to groundbreaking research in marine renewable energy. The university's collaborative culture fosters innovation and provides unique opportunities for hands-on experience in cutting-edge projects.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Research Assistant/Associate in Marine Renewable Energy
✨Get Involved in Research Communities
Dive headfirst into the scientific research world by joining relevant communities and forums. Engage in discussions, share your insights, and even attend conferences or seminars in your field. This not only boosts your visibility but can also lead to potential job opportunities—don't forget to connect with like-minded folks!
✨Show Off Your Research Projects
Have you worked on any cool research projects? Make it easy for potential employers to see your work by creating a portfolio or a personal website. This way, when you apply for roles like the one at Newcastle University, you can point them to your projects and publications, showcasing your expertise directly.
✨Utilise Professional Networks
Networking is key in scientific research. Join professional bodies or organisations related to your field. They often have job boards and resources tailored for job seekers. Make connections with professionals who may know about openings or can give you tips on landing a full-time position.
✨Keep Your Eyes on Openings & Apply Directly
Don’t just rely on job boards! Keep an eye on the careers section of the websites of companies like Newcastle University. Apply directly through their website because sometimes they post jobs there before anywhere else. Plus, it shows your proactive approach!
We think you need these skills to ace Research Assistant/Associate in Marine Renewable Energy
Some tips for your application 🫡
Highlight Your Research Experience:When applying for a full-time role in scientific research, make sure to emphasise your research experience prominently in your CV. Share specific projects you’ve worked on, the methodologies you used, and any significant findings. If you’ve published papers or presented at conferences, definitely include that too – it shows you’re on it in the academic world!
Tailor Your Cover Letter to the Research Area:Your cover letter should reflect your passion for the specific area of research at Newcastle University. Mention relevant experiences that align with the organisation’s goals or projects. This shows that you’ve done your homework and are genuinely interested in the position – plus, it helps us see how you’d fit into the team dynamics.
Showcase Your Data Analysis Skills:In scientific research, data analysis skills are a big deal! Make sure to detail any relevant analytical tools or software you’re familiar with, like R, Python, or statistical packages. Employers are keen to know you can handle the data-heavy elements of the role, so add specific examples where you’ve used these skills effectively.
Discuss Your Future Research Goals:In your motivation section, it’s a great idea to talk about your future research goals and how they align with the work being done at Newcastle University. This shows that you’re not just looking for any job, but rather a chance to contribute meaningfully to the field. We love to see applicants who are forward-thinking and enthusiastic about their research journey!
How to prepare for a job interview at Newcastle University
✨Showcase Your Research Skills
In scientific research, it’s crucial to demonstrate your ability to design and conduct experiments. Come armed with examples of past projects where you've developed hypotheses, collected data, and analysed results. Be ready to discuss any specific methodologies or tools you’ve used, like PCR techniques or statistical software.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Expect some technical questions specific to your field. Make sure you're up to speed with recent advancements in scientific research related to the role at Newcastle University. Brush up on concepts relevant to their projects and be prepared to discuss how you would approach a specific research problem or challenge they might face.
✨Know Your Publications
If you've authored or co-authored any papers, be prepared to discuss them! Highlighting your contributions to published research can really set you apart. It shows not only your expertise but also your ability to communicate complex ideas clearly, which is key in scientific research roles.
✨Exhibit Your Team Spirit
In full-time roles, collaboration is often at the heart of scientific research. Prepare examples that show how you've successfully worked in teams, dealt with conflicts, or contributed to group projects. We want to know how you can work effectively with the team at Newcastle University to drive research projects forward.
