Salary: Research Assistant – £33,951 to £35,608
Research Associate – £36,636 to £46,049
Closing Date: 12 May 2026
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.
The Role
The Microsystems Research Group is seeking a Highly Motivated Research Assistant/Research Associate to support the Northern Net Zero Impact Accelerator (NNZA) Project, "Real-time Control and Optimisation for Boosting Microbial Electrolysis Cell Performance in Energy-Efficient Wastewater Treatment." The group has an international reputation for world-leading research in embedded systems, IoT, and energy-efficient computing, with strong industrial collaborations and a growing portfolio of translational research. This project aims to advance a TRL6 controller prototype for microbial electrolysis cells (MECs) to TRL7, enabling real-time optimisation of applied voltage and current to enhance wastewater treatment efficiency, reduce energy consumption, and improve biogas production (hydrogen and methane).
The successful candidate will contribute to the design, development, testing, and deployment of a real-time control and monitoring system integrating:
- Embedded hardware platforms
- Control algorithms (e.g., PID, PWM)
- IoT communication (LoRaWAN)
- Data acquisition and analysis pipelines
The Role Involves Close Collaboration With
- Academic team members
- Industrial partners (Northumbrian Water Group, METzero Ltd)
- Field deployment environments (wastewater treatment facilities)
Key Accountabilities
- Design and implement embedded control systems for real-time optimisation of MEC performance
- Develop and refine control algorithms for adaptive system behaviour
- Integrate hardware/software co-design solutions for monitoring voltage, current, and system performance
- Develop data acquisition and remote monitoring systems using IoT technologies (e.g. LoRaWAN)
- Conduct laboratory experiments and field trials to evaluate system performance under varying wastewater conditions
- Analyse experimental data to understand interactions between:
- Applied voltage
- Microbial activity
- Biogas production efficiency
- Support deployment and validation of the system in real-world environments
- Collaborate with industrial partners to refine system design for commercial readiness
- Contribute to techno-economic analysis and scalability assessment
- Prepare technical reports, scientific publications, and documentation
- Present research outcomes at academic and industry events
The Person
Knowledge, Skills and Experience
- Strong background in embedded systems design and/or electronic engineering
- Knowledge of control systems (e.g., PID controllers, feedback systems)
- Experience with microcontrollers and embedded programming
- Understanding of hardware/software co-design principles
- Experience in data acquisition systems and sensor integration
- Knowledge of low-power and energy-efficient system design
- Experience with PCB design and prototyping
- Ability to conduct experimental testing and data analysis
Desirable
- Experience with IoT communication protocols (e.g. LoRaWAN)
- Knowledge of bioelectrochemical systems (BES) or microbial electrolysis cells (MECs)
- Experience with real-time systems and runtime optimisation
- Familiarity with industrial or field deployments
- Track record of peer-reviewed publications
- Experience collaborating with industry partners
Attributes and Behaviours
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Strong problem-solving and analytical thinking
- Ability to work independently and within multidisciplinary teams
- Strong organisational skills and ability to meet deadlines
- Capacity for innovation and original research thinking
- Commitment to high research standards and ethics
- Willingness to engage in fieldwork and industrial collaboration
- Commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion principles
Desirable
- Experience working in translational or commercialisation-focused projects
- Industrial or applied research experience
Qualifications
- Research Assistant: A Bachelor's or Master's Degree in Electrical/Electronic Engineering, Embedded Systems, Computer Engineering, or a closely related discipline
- Research Associate: A PhD in Electrical/Electronic Engineering, Embedded Systems, or related field (or equivalent research experience)
Additional Information
- Embedded AI/control systems
- Sustainable wastewater treatment
- Industrial decarbonisation
- Technology commercialisation (TRL6 → TRL7)
The Successful Candidate Will Gain Experience In
- Real-world system deployment
- Industry collaboration
- Innovation translation and impact generation
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 Gold 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: 29266
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