Research Assistant in Computing

Job Summary

Robert Gordon University (RGU) offers staff and students alike a distinctive, professionally-focused academic environment in which to develop and prosper. With three research posts available to support existing/newly awarded projects,  in one of the most beautiful campuses and regions in which to live and work in the UK, we can offer you a unique platform on which to develop your career. 

We are internationally recognised for our research in Artificial Intelligence & Reasoning, Interactive Machine Vision, with growing expertise in Cyber Security, as well as Digital and Immersive technologies. In the recent UK-wide assessment of research, 64% of our research outputs were recognised to be internationally excellent. We are also keen to develop research on technologies for education. We have a thriving research environment supported by national and international funding to bring together early-stage and career researchers across all areas to carry out leading-edge applied computer science research with high industrial and societal impact. 

Our research has a strong focus on robust real-world applications and as a result, a flexible skill-set and willingness to engage with industry are key requirements for these roles. We are looking for highly motivated, ambitious, and hard-working individuals. Current projects require expertise in the following areas but we encourage applications from individuals with skills in any of the School’s research areas:

• Reasoning with sensor data (IoT networks) and applying artificial intelligence (AI) methods to real-world monitoring problems using AI programming skills using languages such as Python, R, Julia, Scala, Java or C++. [Harsha]
• Machine learning and deep learning solutions for computer vision and image/video processing problems using state-of-the-art libraries such as Pytorch, Tensorflow and Keras. [Pam]
• Developing Immersive Technology (Virtual Reality, Augmented Reality and eXtended Reality) for tourism, fashion and educational applications by combining HCI, 3D Visualisation, Web development and photogrammetry, 3D scanning, data processing and analytics on point cloud data. [Yang]
• Reasoning with natural language data including unstructured content using state-of-the-art machine learning and deep learning libraries for natural language processing, understanding, generation for real-world conversational and dialogue systems. [Nirmalie]
• Software development, creating high-performance web-based applications and services using languages and technologies such as HTML, CSS, Javascript. Frameworks such as bootstrap, AngularJS (front end) and PHP, Ruby, Python, Java, MySQL (back end), React Native mobile development, working with remote data via REST, JSON, third-party libraries and APIs. [Chris]

You will be predominately based at RGU in Aberdeen but occasional travel may be required to visit industrial or academic collaborators or to disseminate research.Depending on funding and successful completion of deliverables, the posts may be extended. Successful candidates may also be able to enrol on a Part-Time MRes or PhD.

Queries can be addressed to Professor Nirmalie Wiratunga at n.wiratunga@rgu.ac.uk

Applications will be reviewed and interviews conducted on an ongoing basis. The vacancy will remain open until all roles are filled and therefore the closing date is  nominal. 

Our school is committed to fostering  diversity and improving gender balance amongst our staff and therefore strongly encourage applications from women.

Post is subject to the individual being required to join the PVG scheme. For more information, visit: https://www.mygov.scot/pvg-scheme/

Salary on appointment is normally to the bottom of the scale but in exceptional circumstances, may be made higher up the scale. 

Job Description

RESPONSIBLE TO: Professor Nirmalie Wiratunga

RESPONSIBLE FOR: No supervisory responsibility

PURPOSE OF POST: Delivery of externally-funded school research projects and other school-based activities as determined by Dean of School

PRINCIPAL DUTIES:

• Work on research projects as determined by the School

• Develop and execute a work programme aligned with research projects and grants on the school’s various research themes.

• Manage project activities to meet requirements and timely delivery of project outputs.

• Disseminate research activity papers/preparation of presentations describing the outcomes of the work.

• Collaborate closely with academic and research staff within our school and outwith our school (e.g., Health Sciences, Business School) and other institutes including where relevant with SICSA institutes.

• Participate and actively contribute to the School’s research group activities.

• Undertake any other reasonable duties that may be requested by the School’s research lead or Dean.

 

Personal Specification

ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS

Qualifications and Professional Memberships

Degree in Computing or related discipline

Knowledge and Experience

 

Knowledge and skills in fields of computing to match the school research themes in the areas of AI and reasoning, Interactive Machine Vision and Cyber Security.  Successful candidates will have:

• Excellent software development skills

• Analytical skills for computational problem solving including the ability to decompose problems into logical sub-parts

• Ability to think independently and to proactively find solutions to computational problems.

• Strong oral and written communication skills (including academic writing)

• Able to work independently and manage your own time.

• Interested in novel academic research, and able to think outside the box.

• Experience in fields of computing to match the school research themes or specific projects mentioned above.

 

DESIRABLE REQUIREMENTS

Knowledge and Experience

Additional knowledge and skills in fields of computing to match the school research themes or specific projects mentioned above

Additional experience in working in fields of computing to match the school research themes or specific projects mentioned above.

 

Behaviours

Behaviour 1: Communication - Ability to receive, understand and convey both straightforward information, and information requiring careful explanation, in a clear and accurate manner

Behaviour 2: Decision Making - Experience of using own judgement to make decisions, making collaborative decisions with others to reach conclusions and providing advice or information that will influence the decisions of others

Behaviour 3: Service Delivery - Experience of giving customers a positive and satisfactory service, by providing accurate and up to date knowledge of services available in own and related areas of work

Behaviour 4: Liaison and Networking - Experience of circulating information in an accurate and timely manner and working across team boundaries to build and strengthen working relationships 

Behaviour 5: Planning and Organising Resources - Experience of planning, prioritising and organising your own work or resources to achieve agreed objectives 

Behaviour 6: Analysis and Research - Experience of identifying and using a range of sources to produces reports that combine different types of data