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- Tasks: Join a team researching infectious intestinal disease and contribute to impactful public health projects.
- Company: Newcastle University, a diverse and inclusive workplace with excellent benefits.
- Benefits: Generous holiday package, pension schemes, health initiatives, and professional development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in public health while collaborating with top universities and agencies.
- Qualifications: Postgraduate research degree in Public Health or Gastrointestinal Epidemiology required.
- Other info: Flexible part-time role with opportunities for career growth and international travel.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 48000 £ per year.
Overview
Salary: £47,389.00 – £56,535.00 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: 13 April 2026
The Role
We have an exciting opportunity for a Senior Research Associate to work on a project to design electronic devices and software for underwater acoustic communication and positioning. Based in the Sensors Electromagnetics and Acoustics Laboratory (SEAlab) in the School of Engineering, you will work closely with industrial partners to design, construct and test pre-production hardware for demonstration in realistic sea conditions. The ideal candidate will be educated to PhD level in electronic engineering or a related discipline with experience in underwater acoustic signal processing, communication transceiver design, embedded software and analog/digital circuit design. Experience in practical implementation of communication systems and outdoor/marine field work is highly desirable. The appointment level will be commensurate with relevant experience.
The successful candidate will work on an industry funded project in the Sensors, Electromagnetics and Acoustics Laboratory (SEALab) to design electronic circuits and embedded software for an advanced underwater acoustic communication and positioning technology. This will draw upon research outputs of the academic team and involve working closely with hardware and software engineers from a long established industrial collaborator. The outputs of the project will be pre-production prototypes for testing and validation in realistic offshore environments.
As part of our commitment to career development for research colleagues, the University has developed 3 levels of research role profiles. These profiles set out firstly the generic competences and responsibilities expected of role holders at each level and secondly the general qualifications and experiences needed for entry at a particular level.
Also include information about the Academic Service/Unit they will be working in covering strategic aims, values and culture.
The post is full time, for the duration of 8 months starting 1/05/2026.
ncl.ac.uk/engineering/research/eee/isc/
Key Accountabilities
- Liaising with industrial partners to capture specifications and requirements for near-market R&D outputs.
- Managing workflow and deliverables for time pressured industry funded projects.
- 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).
- 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 (Essential) – Knowledge, Skills and Experience
- Implementation of complex digital communication receivers on embedded processor platforms, such as ARM Cortex, using C/C++ language.
- Design and prototyping of analog and digital circuits using state of the art CAD tools such as Altium designer.
- Underwater acoustic signal processing using MATLAB or similar tools.
- Design/execution of laboratory and offshore field experiments.
- Producing high technology readiness level (TRL) hardware and software modules for incorporation in commercial products.
- 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.
- 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
- Honours degree in Electrical/Electronic Engineering or related discipline.
- PhD in Underwater Acoustic Communications or Signal Processing.
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 GoldAthena Swan award in recognition of our good employment practices for the advancement of gender equality. We also hold a Race Equality CharterBronze 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: 29217
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Senior Research Associate employer: Newcastle University
Contact Detail:
Newcastle University Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Research Associate
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees at Newcastle University on LinkedIn. A friendly chat can give us insider info about the team and the role, plus it shows our genuine interest.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by diving deep into the IID3 Study and its implications. We should be ready to discuss how our skills align with their goals and how we can contribute to public health research.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Mock interviews with friends or mentors can help us refine our answers and boost our confidence. Let’s focus on articulating our research experience and its relevance to the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after the interview! A quick thank-you email expressing our appreciation for the opportunity can leave a lasting impression and keep us on their radar.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Research Associate
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Senior Research Associate role. Highlight your relevant experience in public health research and how it aligns with the IID3 Study's goals. We want to see how you can contribute to our team!
Showcase Your Skills: Don’t forget to emphasise your strong computing skills and ability to analyse diverse data types. Mention any previous research projects where you’ve successfully communicated findings, as this is key for the role. We love seeing your expertise shine through!
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it clear and to the point. Use straightforward language to explain your research experience and its relevance to public health policy. We appreciate clarity and want to understand your contributions easily!
Apply Through Our Website: Remember to submit your application through our official website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. We’re excited to hear from you and see how you can be a part of our mission!
How to prepare for a job interview at Newcastle University
✨Know Your Research Inside Out
Make sure you’re well-versed in the IID3 Study and its objectives. Familiarise yourself with the key causal factors of infectious intestinal disease and how they relate to public health policy. This will show your genuine interest and expertise during the interview.
✨Prepare for Data Discussion
Since the role involves data analysis and interpretation, be ready to discuss your experience with statistical methods and data presentation. Bring examples of your previous work where you’ve successfully communicated research findings, as this will highlight your ability to influence policy.
✨Showcase Your Team Spirit
Collaboration is key in this role, so be prepared to talk about your experience working in multidisciplinary teams. Share specific examples of how you’ve coordinated with others to achieve research objectives, demonstrating your ability to work both independently and as part of a team.
✨Engage with Public Health Policy
Express your enthusiasm for public health and stakeholder engagement. Be ready to discuss current trends in public health policy and how your research can contribute to it. This will show that you’re not just a researcher but also someone who cares about the broader impact of your work.