Newcastle University
Research Assistant/Associate in Formal Methods
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Research Assistant/Associate in Formal Methods
Formal Methods Research Assistant/Associate
Salary:
- Research Assistant: £33,951 to £35,608 per annum
- Research Associate: £36,636 per annum
Closing Date: 21 July 2026
About the Role
Newcastle University (School of Computing, Software Security Lab) seeks a highly motivated Research Assistant/Associate specialising in formal methods, with a focus on secure open-source software development.
Open-source ecosystems are vulnerable to supply chain attacks, where malicious code is embedded undetected. This role involves designing formal theoretical solutions and developing verification tools for ensuring secure third-party dependencies—a critical challenge in modern software security.
Key responsibilities include:
- Developing novel formal theories for secure system analysis.
- Building rigorous software verification tools.
- Collaborating in a vibrant research environment, with opportunities to work with Google DeepMind.
- Contributing to explorative research while maintaining strong programming and tool-development skills.
The position is fixed-term (8 months, extendable), full-time (37 hours/week), and available for an immediate start.
Key Responsibilities
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Research Assistant
- Collect, analyse, and interpret research data.
- Work independently and collaboratively to achieve research objectives.
- Present findings to Principal Investigators or project teams.
- Write research outputs (reports, papers, book chapters).
- Utilise research resources (laboratories, equipment).
Research Associate
- Propose technical/methodological advancements.
- Select and implement research methodologies.
- Assess findings and identify further investigations.
- author publications and conference presentations.
- Contribute to funding applications and independent research.
Requirements
Education
- Research Assistant: Honours degree in Computer Science or related field.
- Research Associate: PhD (in progress or completed) in formal methods, program analysis, or equivalent.
Experience & Skills
- Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
- Experience with:
- Tool development (implementation and maintenance).
- Programming languages: Functional programming, Rust, or Java.
- Collaborative problem-solving and independent work.
Core Competencies
- Theoretical depth in logic, formal methods, or semantics.
- Ability to present complex findings clearly (verbal/written).
- Experience with statistical data analysis or software verification.
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Benefits
- Competitive salary within Newcastle University’s living wage standard.
- Generous holiday allowance (supplement options available).
- Excellent pension schemes.
- Health and well-being initiatives support professional growth.
Inclusive Workplace
Newcastle University holds:
- Gold Athena Swan (gender equality).
- Race Equality Charter Bronze award (diversity).
- Is a Disability Confident employer. Continuously promotes equality, inclusion, and diversity (e.g., as a University of Sanctuary).
How to Apply
Apply online via [Newcastle Careers](username link omitted in instructions). Submit:
- A CV.
- A cover letter addressing:
- Relevance to essential requirements.
- Links to developed tools/projects.
- Grade/mark records on relevant math/logic/formal methods modules.
For queries contact Dr Narges Khakpour at narges.khakpour@newcastle.ac.uk.
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