Requisition ID: 26653
Location: Newcastle, GB
Contract Type: Fixed Term
Working Pattern: Full Time
Posted Date: 8 Feb 2024
Salary:
- Research Assistant: £31,396 to £32,982 per annum
- Research Associate: £33,966 to £44,263 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: 21 February 2024
The Role
We are seeking a dynamic Research Assistant/ Associate to continue the development and application of a scalable, transferable, platform for integrated flood risk assessment.
Your work will focus on flood risks, to enable hydraulic modelling to be deployed and to co-design new tools and mitigation strategies with by end-users. The ideal applicant will have experience of undertaking model-based risk assessments handling geospatial databases, code development, and use of Docker and Cloud Computing technologies.
You will join a team working on the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) funded DAFNI project. You will be in located in the internationally recognised and leading Water Group at the School of Engineering, Newcastle University. You will work collaboratively with researchers from diverse disciplinary backgrounds from Newcastle University, including the Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research.
This position is available immediately on a fixed-term contract basis for a duration of 10 months from the commencement date, with the view to extend. We are committed to building and maintaining a fair and inclusive working environment and we would be happy to discuss arrangements for flexible and/or blended working.
To apply, please complete an online application and upload a CV and a cover letter. Your cover letter is a supporting statement, and you should outline how you meet the essential criteria of the role and evidence this with examples.
For more information about the Water Group, please click here: https://www.ncl.ac.uk/engineering/research/civil/water/
Please contact Vassilis Glenis, vassilis.glenis@newcastle.ac.uk, for informal enquiries.
Key Accountabilities
- Familiarise yourself with hydraulic models
- Familiarise yourself with DAFNI (www.dafni.ac.uk) the UK platform for data analytics for national infrastructure. Use of Docker to integrate models into DAFNI
- Develop a software stack – including development of code using an appropriate language – for data management, simulation using modelling tools such as CityCAT, and visualisation of results. This is likely to involve using Python to process, upload and – where possible – automate the downloading of datasets (e.g. land use, rainfall)
- Set up and validation of simulation models
- Conduct assessment of flood risks for current and future conditions
- Present information on research progress and outcomes at project meetings
- Write up results from your own research activity and provide input into the research project’s dissemination, in a variety of forms (reports, journal articles, chapters, book)
- Comply with University policies, including financial regulations, equal opportunities policy, Health & Safety policy, promoting race equality policy, information systems security policy, data security, intellectual property rights and safeguarding policies
- Engage in personal, professional and career development, to enhance both specialist and transferable skills in accordance with desired career trajectory
- Carry out other duties, commensurate with the grade of the post, as requested by the project
The Person
Knowledge, Skills and Experience
- Experience of undertaking flood risk assessment using computer models
- Experience of using Docker and cloud computing methods
- Experience of handling geospatial data
- Experience of coding in Python
Desirable
- Experience of collaborative and / or consortium working with academic and stakeholder partners
- A developing track record of peer reviewed publications in internationally recognised journals and experience of presentation of work to the national/international research community
- Experience of, or exposure to innovative ways of presenting research outputs
Attributes and Behaviour
- Excellent communication skills (written and verbal)
- Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to build trust with collaborators and internal and external stakeholders
- Good planning, organisational and time management skills
- Professional approach with a demonstrable commitment to dignity and respect in the workplace
- Ability to work in a diverse team but also independently. Contributing to the development of effective and mutually supportive working relationships and practices
- Ensure intellectual rigour and adherence to ethical standards in the research for which they are responsible
Qualifications
- A bachelor’s or master’s degree in a relevant subject e.g., Engineering, Maths, Computer Science
- PhD award (or nearing completion) focussed in water risk modelling or a closely related area
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: 26653
