Senior Research Associate in Autonomous Underwater Glider

This position is for a Senior Research Associate focused on developing the ECHO autonomous underwater glider. Key responsibilities include leading mechanical, electrical, and hydraulic design, analysis, and testing. Applicants must have a PhD in a relevant engineering field, prior experience with underwater vehicle design and operation, CAD proficiency, and hands-on skills in industrial automation and control.

• 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.
• Newcastle University is committed to the responsible use of research metrics as part of our research culture and research strategy.
• The successful candidates will join a collaborative team, ABMHydro (https://www.abmhydro.com/), engaged in a range of research projects in particular for developing an autonomous underwater glider.
• Please note, this is a full-time on-site role, with work taking place in the research office and laboratory. Home/remote working is not permitted in this role.
• The University of Newcastle upon Tyne was founded in 1871 for the teaching of physical sciences and engineering. Teaching and research are delivered in 24 academic schools and 40 research institutes and research centres, spread across three Faculties: the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences
• the Faculty of Medical Sciences
• and the Faculty of Science, Agriculture and Engineering.
• The School of Engineering was formed in 2017 bringing together long-established engineering research and teaching groups in chemical, civil, electrical & electronic, geomatics, marine and mechanical.
• We are recruiting a new Senior Research Associate to join our research team.
• Talented, skilled and hard-working individuals are sought to carry out high-quality R&D work in developing our ECHO glider centralised at our newly established Newcastle Marine Autonomous Vehicle Lab and also in our Blyth Marine Station.
• ECHO glider is an EPSRC funded project aiming to develop an Endurant, Cognitive and High-speed Ocean Glider for Acoustic Environmental Monitoring around Offshore Wind Farms.
• You are expected to lead and conduct mechanical, electrical and hydraulic design, analysis and testing for ECHO glider.
• Suitable candidates will have a prior background in mechanical and/or electrical engineering with experience in developing underwater vehicles. You should be already familiar with buoyancy engine, underwater vehicle design and operation, control and drive.
• Prior research and hands-on experience in underwater glider are highly desirable. Please note this is not a role for simulation skills. It is essential that you are proficient in CAD, engineering, hand-on skills and programming in industrial automation and control.
• You will be a highly enthusiastic, self-motivated and diligent individual with an inquiring mind and a particular interest in marine autonomous vehicles to drive forward our understanding and capabilities in this area.
• You will be eager to learn and enhance your own competencies.
• You need to clearly demonstrate your potential in scientific research by an excellent track record of research outputs and have an ability to work both independently and collaboratively.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, interpersonal skills, planning and time management skills, and problem-solving skills are also essential.
• You must be capable of maintaining current knowledge of the literature and generating new research ideas.

• 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 value diversity as well as celebrate, support and thrive on the contributions of all of our employees and the communities they represent.
• 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.
• Experience integ ating oceanographic sensors (CTD, dissolved oxygen, acoustic modems, etc.) into AUV platforms
• ating oceanographic sensors (CTD, dissolved oxygen, acoustic modems, etc.) into AUV platforms
• Familiarity with ocean field trials — deployment logistics, data recovery, and at-sea troubleshooting
• Experience co-supervising students or junior engineers in a research setting
• Demonstrated ability to contribute to research grant proposals or project reports
• PhD or equivalent doctoral qualification awarded in relevant disciplines (e.g. marine technology, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, robotics engineering)