Research Assistant/Associate in Human Movement Science Involving Patient Cohorts

Newcastle University; England; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

Newcastle University invites applications for three Research Assistant/Associate positions in Human Movement Science. Candidates will work on exciting projects involving wearable technology and gait analysis, contributing to groundbreaking research while working alongside top academics. Strong candidates will have relevant degrees and experience in data analysis, particularly within health contexts. The positions offer structured career development opportunities and the chance to publish significant findings.

Benefits

Generous holiday package

Pension schemes

Health and wellbeing initiatives

Qualifications

• Experience with wearable sensor data and digital outcomes.
• Experience working with older adults or patient groups.
• Knowledge of statistical techniques.

Responsibilities

• Support projects using wearable technology for gait analysis.
• Provide training and technical assistance in data management.
• Publish and present findings from research projects.

Skills

Analytical skills

Problem-solving

Communication

Skill in signal processing

Expertise in wearable sensor data

Education

Bachelor's or Master's degree in Biomedical Science, Movement Science, or related field

PhD in Biomedical Engineering, Computer Science, Movement Science or related field (for Associate)

Tools

Matlab

R

Python

Job description

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Research Assistant/Associate in Human Movement Science Involving Patient Cohorts

Requisition ID: 28158

Location:

Newcastle, GB

Contract Type: Fixed Term

Working Pattern: Full Time

Posted Date: 4 Jul 2025

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: 27 July 2025

The role

We have an exciting opportunity for three early career scientists who are interested in human movement, wearable technology and digital outcomes. You will be expected to work in an interdisciplinary group who has an established international reputation in gait analysis and wearable technology analytics.

The ideal candidates should have a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Biomedical Science, Movement Science, Computer Science or related field (a PhD is essential for the Research Associate position), experience working with wearable sensor data and digital outcomes; proficient and independent signal processing and coding, statistical and computational skills and ability to work independently and as part of a team.

Successful candidates will be mentored by an experienced member of academic staff throughout their term in one of our Research Institutes.

You will work as part of a research team supporting a range of projects aiming to look at the use of wearable technology and digital mobility outcomes of real-world gait and physical activity to detect clinically relevant changes to post-diagnostic care, interventions and potential disease modifying effects.

You will be expected to provide training and technical assistance, manage the transfer and analysis of gait/physical activity data collected with wearable technology, novel and traditional gait analysis tools (e.g. instrumented mat, etc.) and publish and present key findings from the projects.

The posts will involve working across multiple project grants aiming to evaluate the use of wearable technology in laboratory and real-world settings to quantify digital mobility outcomes in ageing and diverse health conditions.

The work will be undertaken within the Brain and Movement (BAM) Research Group based in the Translational and Clinical Research Institute with Dr Lisa Alcock, Dr Silvia Del Din and Professor Alison Yarnall.

As part of our commitment to career development for research colleagues, the University has developed 3 levels of research role profiles. These profiles set out firstly the generic competences and responsibilities expected of role holders at each level and secondly the general qualifications and experiences needed for entry at a particular level.

There are three full time Research Assistant/Associate positions available. The posts are tenable for two years.

To apply, please complete an online application and upload a CV and a cover letter. Your cover letter should be a detailed supporting statement outlining why you are a good fit for the role. Please explain how you meet the essential criteria outlined and evidence this with examples.

Key Accountabilities

Although working under the general guidance of an academic or Principal Investigator, the postholders will contribute ideas, including enhancements to the technical or methodological aspects of their studies, thus providing substantial 'added value'

Develop and carry out the specified project using appropriate techniques and equipment as outlined in the personal requirements

Determine appropriate methodologies for research, with advice and support where required

Contribute to grant applications submitted by others and in time develop own research objectives and proposals for funding

Begin to write, with appropriate support, proposals for individual research funding or, where funders do not permit this, contribute to the writing of collective bids

Assess research findings for the need/scope for further investigations

Contribute to the writing up of their research for publication and dissemination, either through seminar and conference presentations or through publications

Present research findings, either at conferences or through publications in reputable outlets appropriate to the discipline

May be involved in the supervision, with guidance, of final year undergraduate research projects and in providing support to postgraduate research students or Research Assistants

Will need to work with the support staff and, on occasions, with undergraduate and postgraduate students, and interact intellectually with other academic members of the Institute

May contribute to events celebrating the public engagement of science/social sciences/humanities

Develop an awareness of University structures, policies and procedures and relevant issues in the higher education, research, social and political environment

The Person

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

Ability to work well as part of a team and rapidly acquire new skills

Detailed subject knowledge (PI to describe subject knowledge required) in the area of research

Likelihood of advanced skills directly related to the research projects

High level of analytical and problem-solving capability

Ability to communicate complex information with clarity and to encourage the commitment of others

Experience of research with clear transferable skills and some experience or awareness of the research environment

Presentations at conferences and/or high-quality publications

Expertise working with wearable sensor data and analysis

Experience with movement analysis and signal processing (especially as applied to locomotion/ gait)

Expertise in developing novel algorithms, but also understanding, optimising and applying developed algorithms for extraction of digital mobility outcomes (e.g. gait outcomes)

Very good knowledge of and experience using Matlab or equivalent programming languages (e.g. R, Python)

Database and project management skills

Knowledge of statistical techniques

Good information technology and computing skills and experience with cloud computing platforms

Experience working with older adults and/or patient groups

Understanding of neurodegenerative conditions, including dementia and Parkinson’s disease

Experience in machine learning/ AI techniques

Attributes and Behaviour

Ability to work independently and as part of a team

Capacity for original thought

Qualifications

Good honours degree (or equivalent) with some subject knowledge in Biomedical Engineering, Computer Science, Movement Science or related field (Research Assistant)

A PhD in Biomedical Engineering, Computer Science, Movement Science or related field (Research Associate)

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 silverAthena 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.