Architect Job: Research Assistant/Associate in Generative Design (Fixed Term)

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A position exists for a Research Assistant/Associate in the Department of Engineering funded by the EPSRC through project: “RESTOR: Reuse of structural steel in construction”. The post holder will be located in the Civil Engineering Building, 7a JJ Thomson Ave, Cambridge, UK.

The key responsibilities and duties are to: develop a web-based, generative design tool that will create automated and optimized steel frame configurations. Other activities include implementing and maintaining software prototypes, integrating lab test results into the RESTOR tool, developing a user interface, testing, and dissemination of outcomes. Candidate should disseminate the outcomes of the projects and author reports to the projects’ sponsors; conduct individual and collaborative research; present and publish research work; and manage own research and administrative activities, with guidance if required. The post holder will also be expected to: liaise with the consortium partners and staff; liaise with colleagues and students; build internal and external contacts; administer meetings of the consortium; plan the use of and maintain research and lab resources and equipment; plan and manage own research activity; and contribute to planning of joint research projects led by the principal investigator.

The skills, qualifications and experience required to perform the role are: 1) have obtained or be close to obtaining a PhD in Engineering, Computer Science or Architecture, with a focus on one or more of: a) parametric and computational design principles; b) understanding of object-oriented programming languages, such as C#, python, C and .NET Framework, web development, including (HTML, CSS, JavaScript, Node.js, Typescript, Three.js, Babylon.js), c) machine learning models, including supervised and unsupervised learning, d) understanding and knowledge in applying optimisation algorithms; e) developing plugins and integrating APIs for various AEC software packages; f) storing and managing databases with large data sets; g) understanding of open-source parametric web technologies including, JSCAD and IFC.js; 2) possess good writing skills and some research experience with sufficient breadth/depth of specialist knowledge in one or more of the areas above; 3) Good communication and presentation skills; 4) Experience of managing own workload.

Appointment at Research Associate level is dependent on having a PhD. Those who have submitted but not yet received their PhD will be appointed at Research Assistant level, which will be amended to Research Associate once the PhD has been awarded.

Salary Ranges:  Research Assistant: £27,929 – £32,348 Research Associate: £34,308 – £42,155

Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available until 1 October 2025 in the first instance. 

Please ensure that you upload your Curriculum Vitae (CV) and a covering letter in the Upload section of the online application. If you upload any additional documents which have not been requested, we will not be able to consider these as part of your application. Please submit your application by midnight on the closing date.

If you have questions about this vacancy please contact Prof Ioannis Brilakis (ib340@cam.ac.uk) for technical questions or Dr Erika Parn  (eap47@cam.ac.uk) for the application process.

Please quote reference NM33780 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.

The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.

The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.

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