Research Assistant​/Associate In Applied Materials

Salary:

Research Assistant: £34,630 to £36,320 per annum

Research Associate: £37,369 to £40,704 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: 22 October 2026

This post will support a translational research project developing a novel electrochromic infrared coating technology into working demonstrator devices. The role holder will undertake the day-to-day laboratory activity required to optimise coating formulations, fabricate test and demonstrator devices, and generate a clear performance dataset suitable for technical and commercial review. The work will be supervised by the Principal Investigator and will connect closely with Newcastle University’s commercialisation team and external stakeholders.

The role is laboratory-based and hands-on, with an emphasis on careful experimental design, reliable data capture, safe working practice, and clear communication of results.

Duration of post:
Fixed term until 30 June 2027

As part of our commitment to career development for research colleagues, the University has developed 3 levels of Research Innovation Role . 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.

Find out more about the Faculty of Science, Agriculture and Engineering here:

Find out more about our Research Institutes here:

• Develop and optimise coating formulations and device assembly processes while protecting commercially sensitive know-how.
• Fabricate small-area and demonstrator-scale devices using laboratory coating and device-processing equipment.
• Carry out electrical, optical/infrared, emissivity, cycling and mechanical durability tests, maintaining accurate records and safe working practice.
• Prepare clear performance data packs, technical summaries and risk/next-step recommendations for internal and external review.
• Support project coordination, procurement/consumables tracking and partner-facing demonstrations where required.
• 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.

• 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.

• Knowledge of applied materials, thin-film coatings, polymers, nanomaterials, electrochemical devices, optoelectronic materials or closely related areas.
• E…