Research Assistant/Research Fellow - 17110

Brunel Law School; Uxbridge; Hybrid; GBP 38,000 - 54,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

Annual leave

Training and development

Job summary

Brunel University London invites applications for a Research Assistant or Research Fellow to contribute to CLIMABUILD, a Horizon Europe project developing AI-enabled digital technologies to improve resilience and sustainability of the built environment.

The role involves developing mathematical and data-driven approaches, contributing to AI-enabled solutions such as LLMs and knowledge graphs, and publishing results. Hybrid working is offered with a fixed-term contract.

Qualifications

• Applicants should hold a relevant degree in Civil, Environmental, Building or Infrastructure Engineering, Computer Science or a closely related discipline.
• Appointment at Research Fellow level will require a PhD or equivalent research experience.
• Essential competencies include analytical and computational skills, programming experience (e.g. Python, MATLAB or R), knowledge of resilience, sustainability or lifecycle assessment, and familiarity with AI technologies, including LLMs.

Responsibilities

• Develop, apply or support mathematical, computational and data-driven approaches for assessing the resilience, sustainability and lifecycle performance of buildings and infrastructure.
• Contribute to AI-enabled digital solutions, including Large Language Models (LLMs), Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG), knowledge graphs, digital twins and intelligent decision-support tools.
• Investigate climate adaptation and low-carbon renovation strategies through lifecycle assessment, scenario analysis, uncertainty evaluation and multi-criteria optimisation.
• Support the development, integration and validation of innovative methodologies and digital tools, working with project partners and Living Labs.
• Contribute to scientific publications, project deliverables, stakeholder engagement and research dissemination.

Skills

Analytical skills

Computational skills

Python

MATLAB

R

AI technologies

Resilience or lifecycle assessment

Communication skills

Education

Civil/Environmental/Building/Infrastructure Eng or Computer Science

Tools

Python

MATLAB

R

Job description

We are seeking a highly motivated Research Assistant or Research Fellow to contribute to CLIMABUILD, a Horizon Europe research project developing innovative methodologies, artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled digital technologies and decision-support solutions to enhance the resilience, sustainability and climate adaptability of buildings and the wider built environment.

College / Directorate

College of Engineering, Design & Physical Sciences

Full Time / Part Time

Full Time

Posted Date 03/11/2026

Closing Date 01/12/2026

Ref No 5258

Department/College: College of Engineering, Design & Physical Sciences

Location: Brunel University London, Uxbridge Campus

Salary: R1

Research Assistant: from £37,810 to £39,877 inclusive of London Weighting with potential to progress to £40,956 per annum inclusive of London Weighting through sustained exceptional contribution.

Research Fellow: from £42,068 to £49,478 inclusive of London Weighting with potential to progress to £53,766 per annum inclusive of London Weighting through sustained exceptional contribution.

Hours: Full-time

Contract Type: Fixed term

Brunel University London was established in 1966 and is a leading multidisciplinary research-intensive technology university delivering economic, social and cultural benefits. For more information please visit: https://www.brunel.ac.uk/about/our-history/home

Description of College

The College of Engineering, Design and Physical Sciences at Brunel University of London delivers world-leading research, interdisciplinary innovation, industry engagement, and excellence in engineering, computing, design, mathematics, and physical sciences education.

Description Of Role And Essential Person Specification

We are seeking a highly motivated Research Assistant or Research Fellow to contribute to CLIMABUILD, a Horizon Europe research project developing innovative methodologies, artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled digital technologies and decision-support solutions to enhance the resilience, sustainability and climate adaptability of buildings and the wider built environment.

Brunel plays a leading role in research activities spanning resilience and sustainability assessment, computational modelling, lifecycle analysis, digital decision-support systems, knowledge graphs, participatory technologies and stakeholder engagement.

• Develop, apply or support mathematical, computational and data-driven approaches for assessing the resilience, sustainability and lifecycle performance of buildings and infrastructure.
• Contribute to AI-enabled digital solutions, including Large Language Models (LLMs), Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG), knowledge graphs, digital twins and intelligent decision-support tools.
• Investigate climate adaptation and low-carbon renovation strategies through lifecycle assessment, scenario analysis, uncertainty evaluation and multi-criteria optimisation.
• Support the development, integration and validation of innovative methodologies and digital tools, working with project partners and Living Labs.
• Contribute to scientific publications, project deliverables, stakeholder engagement and research dissemination.

Applicants should hold a relevant degree in Civil, Environmental, Building or Infrastructure Engineering, Computer Science or a closely related discipline. Appointment at Research Fellow level will require a PhD or equivalent research experience. Essential competencies include analytical and computational skills, programming experience (e.g. Python, MATLAB or R), knowledge of resilience, sustainability or lifecycle assessment, and familiarity with AI technologies, including LLMs. Good communication skills and the ability to work independently, with appropriate supervision according to grade, within an international and interdisciplinary team are essential.

The appointment will be made at Research Assistant or Research Fellow level, depending on the successful candidate's qualifications and experience.

We offer a generous annual leave package plus discretionary University closure days, excellent training and development opportunities as well as a great occupational pension scheme and a range of health-related support. The University is committed to a hybrid working approach.

Closing date for applications: 1 December 2026

If you have any technical issues please contact us at: [e-mail]

Brunel University London has a strong commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion. Our aim is to promote and achieve a fully inclusive workforce to reflect our community.

Documents

• Research Assistant Job Description (Word, 144.59kb)
• Research Fellow Job Description (Word, 1232.26kb)