Assistant Research Engineer

Salary: £32,296 to £33,882  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: 12 January 2025

The Role

As part of Newcastle University’s School of Engineering, the Design Unit (DU) thrives as a pioneering force since 1970.  Our robust team of engineers and technicians, coupled with cutting-edge facilities, powers breakthroughs in mechanical power transmissions.  From conceptualisation to precision manufacturing; meticulous metrology, performance evaluation and detailed failure analysis, the DU provides an all-encompassing service.  Join us to help shape the future of mechanical engineering at the DU. 

We are seeking an engineering professional to support materials characterisation, performance testing and failure analysis focussed around mechanical power transmissions. It is desirable that you will have a good understanding of developments and solutions for mechanical engineering applications and of relevant current health and safety regulations and procedures.

Join our dynamic team as an Assistant Research Engineer and be at the forefront of cutting-edge projects in power transmission systems.  You will collaborate with a talented engineering team to spearhead research initiatives aimed at enhancing gear system performance and reliability.  Your role involves diving into diverse areas – from evaluating gear material performance to innovating advanced testing methodologies and stress analysis techniques. You’ll craft compelling research reports for both industry clients and prestigious academic journals, showcasing your expertise. With excellent communication skills, you’ll confidently present proposals to partners and manage projects efficiently within timelines and budgets. Additionally, contribute your creative ideas to shape future research endeavours and mentor budding talents in student projects.  Under the guidance of experienced leaders, your initiative and creativity will drive impactful research, utilising established methods to analyse and report data.

Experience the vibrant pulse of our University – a hub dedicated to pioneering education and ground-breaking research.  Enjoy perks such as a stellar pension scheme, flexible working arrangements, generous holidays, discounted travel via Metro and local buses, plus enticing discounts at national retailers.  Based at the Advanced Engineering Research Hub at Walker, enjoy hassle-free, complimentary parking.

For more information visit https://www.ncl.ac.uk/gears/about/

You must be able to undertake occasional travel and working off-site both in the UK and abroad.

The role is initially for three years on a fixed-term contract basis and requires full-time commitment (37 hours per week).

To apply, please complete an online application and upload a CV and cover letter.  In your cover letter, focus on supporting your application by showcasing how you meet the essential criteria of the role.  Back up your claims with specific examples and evidence.

Informal enquiries can be made to Professor Brian Shaw design.unit@ncl.ac.uk or to Mr Ian Sewell, Deputy Director, email ian.sewell@ncl.ac.uk; contact number is 0191 2086192.

Address:  Design Unit, Advanced Engineering Research Hub, Newcastle University, Unit B1 & B2 Wincomblee Road, Walker, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE6 3QS.

This role is fixed term for 24 months.

Interviews will be held on:  Friday 31 January 2025

Key Accountabilities

• To work as part of an engineering team delivering a range of research-based projects relevant to power transmission systems
• To develop and grow research expertise through initiative and creativity in a field relevant to enhancing the performance and reliability of gear systems, e.g. gear material performance evaluation, development of advanced gear testing methodologies, gear material and metrology characterisation, gear design and stress analysis techniques
• To assist with analysing and producing written research reports to deadlines for clients and for academic publication in leading journals
• A confident ability to communicate proposals or results to industrial partners/funding bodies
• An ability to project manage to time and within budget making best use of research resources
• To contribute to the development of new research ideas and project proposals
• Assist with supervision of under graduate and postgraduate student projects as well as occasional class-based teaching
• Assistance with research, using personal initiative and creativity, will be undertaken with direct supervision from an experienced member of the Design Unit Engineering team
• Work undertaken will be closely supervised and generally will involve using agreed test methods to acquire data that will then be analysed and reported using established methods

The Person

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

• An Understanding of gear materials and appropriate characterisation methods
• An understanding of mechanical testing of materials and analysis methodology
• 3D Design and FE stress analysis techniques appropriate to mechanical engineering
• An awareness of gear metrology and stress analysis methods
• A broad knowledge of mechanical engineering with a particular understanding of transmission systems
• Appreciation of Industry sectors utilising mechanical power transmissions
• An awareness of the application of electrical control systems
• Knowledge of condition monitoring systems
• Ability to work safely following appropriate safety policies
• Be able to work effectively on team-based engineering projects to tight timescales and budgets
• Good written and communication skills, leading to reports/publications

Attributes and Behaviour

• Self-motivated and prepared to work independently
• Willingness to undertake short periods of travel, which may be in the UK and overseas, in line with project requirements
• A flexible approach with ability to prioritise multiple tasks
• Ability to creatively solve problems
• Good interpersonal and team working skills

Qualifications

• Good honours degree (or equivalent) with some subject knowledge in the fields relevant to the activities of Design Unit.  Relevant industrial experience is desirable
• Non-graduates will be expected to have equivalent qualifications or relevant experience

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: 27827

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