Senior Research Associate in Autonomous Underwater Glider

Overview

In this role you lead mechanical, electrical, and hydraulic design and testing for the ECHO glider within the Newcastle Marine Autonomous Vehicle Lab and Blyth Marine Station. You will drive hands-on development of marine autonomous vehicles, coordinate field trials, and contribute to high-impact publications. You work closely with cross-disciplinary teams to advance offshore wind farm sensing and autonomous marine technologies. This is a full-time, on-site position with a strong emphasis on practical prototyping, field deployment, and collaboration.

Pay / Benefits

• generous holiday package
• great pension schemes
• health and wellbeing initiatives
• excellent benefits
• salary 48,337 per annum
• on-site role with access to research facilities

Responsibilities

• Lead research project delivery and support PI in managing projects
• Develop and prototype autonomous marine vehicles (underwater gliders) and related subsystems
• Conduct mechanical, electrical, and hydraulic design, analysis, testing, and lab/tank experiments
• Prepare reports and draft papers for high-impact journals; present results
• Collaborate with researchers and project partners; maintain laboratories and instrumentation
• Contribute to project finances (purchasing, travel) and lab development
• Assist with teaching and supervision of research students/projects
• Ensure health and safety compliance across activities
• Facilitate field trials and sea deployments; participate in project meetings
• Contribute to development of external funding proposals
• Align with project timelines and deliverables

Key requirements

• Hands-on experience designing, fabricating, and testing hardware for marine autonomous vehicles with a portfolio of physical prototypes
• Experience taking autonomous underwater vehicles through design, prototype integration, testing, and field trials
• Proficiency in SolidWorks or equivalent CAD (pressure housings, buoyancy engine components, hulls)
• Knowledge of embedded electronics and electrical systems for ocean platforms (sensor integration, waterproofing, low-power design)
• Proficiency in Python for vehicle control and data logging
• Track record of peer-reviewed publications in marine robotics or related fields
• PhD in mechanical engineering, ocean engineering, robotics, or related discipline; 2–5 years postdoc or industry experience
• For SRA level, ability to lead deliverables, supervise juniors, and contribute to external proposals
• Desirable: experience with oceanographic sensors integration and field deployments
• Strong communication, teamwork, planning, and problem-solving skills

• enthusiastic and self-motivated
• clear communication (written and verbal)
• team collaboration and ability to work independently
• SolidWorks or equivalent CAD
• Buoyancy engine design and hydrodynamic hull structures
• Embedded electronics and sensor integration

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