Research Software Engineer in Edge Computing and AI for Data Sensitive Application Validation

 

Salary: £35,116.00 - £37,174.00  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: 18 July 2025

 

The Role

 

We are looking for a Research Software Engineer (RSE) with expertise in Edge AI and data-sensitive application validation to join the EdgeAI Hub at Newcastle University a world-class research environment at Newcastle University and contribute to cutting-edge advancements in Edge AI and cybersecurity for real-world impact. As part of the National EdgeAI Hub, you will have the opportunity to work alongside leading academics, collaborate with industry partners, and apply your expertise to groundbreaking use cases in healthcare, transport, energy, and beyond. For more information about the hub’s mission and objectives, visit https://edgeaihub.co.uk/. 

Your role will be to contribute to Work Stream 5 of the EPSRC-funded National EdgeAI Hub for Real Data, focusing on validating Edge AI technologies in domains such as healthcare, transport, and energy security.

Working across the university and with external partners, including industrial collaborators and academic leaders in Edge AI, you will help investigate, and develop and validate robust, secure, and high-quality software solutions to address real-world challenges in cyber-resilient edge computing. If you are keen to apply your skills to impactful research and want to contribute to the next generation of trustworthy AI systems, we would love to hear from you.

 

Our team brings together deep expertise in software engineering, distributed systems, machine learning, and cybersecurity. We work across disciplines; from healthcare predictive models for urban air quality to designing real-time anomaly detection tools for edge devices. You will contribute to open-source tools, engage with stakeholders, and support the development of innovative edge computing validation methodologies.

In order to be successful, you will have (or be close to completing) a PhD in a relevant field and demonstrable experience in one or more areas such as real-time data validation, anomaly detection, cybersecurity, or distributed AI systems. We welcome candidates with experience in edge data pipelines, sensor data processing, and AI-based forecasting or classification.

 

We particularly encourage applications from candidates with experience in:
•    Edge AI system development or validation
•    Probabilistic forecasting and clustering
•    Cybersecurity for distributed systems
•    Collaborative and interdisciplinary research

We welcome applicants from both academic and software development backgrounds who can complement or extend the team’s expertise.

 

How to Apply

To apply, please submit an online application including your CV and a cover letter outlining how you meet the essential criteria for this role.

Informal enquiries may be addressed to:Professor Phil James: philip.james@ncl.ac.uk, Dr Ellis Solaiman: ellis.solaiman@ncl.ac.uk, Professor Raj Ranjan: raj.ranjan@newcastle.ac.uk

 

Key Accountabilites

• Conduct research into data-sensitive applications for validating edge AI technologies within the sectors of health, transport, energy, and others (e.g. predictive models for air quality, forecasting across urban geosensor networks).
• Develop and validate software solutions that improve data quality and the robustness of AI models against cyber-disturbances.
• Engage with industry partners and stakeholders to co-develop edge AI validation methodologies, contribute to pilot studies, and ensure alignment between research outcomes and real-world deployment challenges.
• Disseminate research findings through publications, workshops, and conferences.
• Contribute to the delivery of pump-priming projects and integrator projects, ensuring timely completion of deliverables and milestones.
• Support the production of open-source resources, including software, reports, and online content such as interactive podcasts.

 

The Person (Essential)

 

Knowledge, Skills and Experience 

• Candidates should have strong expertise in one or more of the following areas: AI-driven data validation, probabilistic forecasting, clustering techniques, time-series analysis, cybersecurity for distributed systems, or real-time anomaly detection. (Candidates are not expected to be experts in all these areas but should demonstrate depth in at least one relevant field.)
• Strong background in distributed systems or cybersecurity, with a focus on data integrity and robustness.
• Proficiency in programming languages such as Python, C++, or Java, with experience in software development for AI systems, real-time processing, or cybersecurity applications.
• Knowledge and awareness of edge-based data collection systems, sensors and quality control.

Desirable

• Prior experience working in collaborative research settings, including interdisciplinary or industry-academic partnerships.
• Familiarity with machine learning frameworks and Edge AI systems.
• Experience contributing to teaching or academic support in areas such as distributed systems, programming, artificial intelligence, or related computing disciplines.

 

Attributes and Behaviour

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, capable of disseminating research to both academic and industrial audiences.

 

Qualifications

• PhD (or close to completion) in Computer Science, AI, Data Science, Machine Learning, Edge Computing, Signal Processing, Cybersecurity, or a related field.

 

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: 28337