Research Assistant In Design And Prototyping

Salary: £34,630 to £36,320 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: 16 October 2026

Newcastle University is seeking highly motivated researchers to join the 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 Brian Rail, 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:

Find out more about our School of Engineering:

Contact for the post is Dr Sadegh Nadimi:

This is a part time position for 18.5 hours per week offered on a fixed term basis for the duration of 9 months.

• From conceptual design to optimisation of embedded sensing systems for railway applications
• Contribute to laboratory, rig-based, and field testing of RAPID prototypes
• Work closely with industry stakeholders during compliance assessment and railway trials
• 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
• 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

• Experience in product design
• Experience in design and prototyping engineering solution
• 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

• 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

• Honours degree in Engineering or a related discipline

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