Role: Research Associate (TRACE)

Department: School of Computing, Engineering, and Intelligent Systems

Grade: 6/7 (£33,020 - £36,654)

Responsible to: Principal Investigator

Campus: Derry~Londonderry

(Full-Time, Fixed term to 30th June 2029)

Job Purpose:

The postholder will be responsible for supporting the Principal Investigator in the delivery of the TRACE (Technological Revolution towards an Agri-food Circular Economy) project in line with all contractual responsibilities of SEUPB.

Project Summary: 

Ulster University has secured €5.89m in funding through the PEACEPLUS programme, managed by the SEUPB to lead the TRACE project. TRACE is a cross-border project aimed at enhancing the efficiency, transparency and sustainability of the Products of Animal Origin (POAO) supply chain. The project will develop and apply a suite of advanced technologies to optimise key processes across the POAO value chain. This includes the use of multimodal imaging techniques, such as computer vision and hyperspectral imaging, alongside Internet of Things sensors that will continuously monitor critical parameters such as temperature, humidity and food quality in real time. The data captured through the deployment of these technologies will support more efficient, transparent, and sustainable supply chain operations. To encourage adoption and maximise impact, TRACE will also establish a cross-border innovation hub offering both virtual and face-to-face support to SMEs. The hub will serve as a central resource for SMEs operating across the POAO supply chain and the wider agri-food sector, providing tools, guidance, and demonstrations to help them explore and implement innovative, technology-driven solutions that improve competitiveness and sustainability.

Closing Date: 16th June 2026 at 23:30

Guidance regarding applications can be found here: https://recruitment.ulster.ac.uk/information-for-applicants/what-to-expect-from-the-application-and-interview-process. If you are still having issues, please contact c.salter@ulster.ac.uk stating the vacancy reference number.

Click on the links below for any relevant documents – Please note, these documents will not be available after the job advert closes. Please ensure that you download and save these.

Candidate Briefing - Research Associate TRACE May26

Salary Scale August 2025

Please be advised that due to the minimum salary thresholds imposed by the UKVI, this post will not qualify for university sponsorship under the Skilled Worker visa route. Please check your options here: https://www.gov.uk/check-uk-visa

This role involves undertaking research activities in both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. Candidates must therefore hold the legal right to work in both jurisdictions for the full duration of the post.

Ulster University is unable to sponsor employment visas for work undertaken in the Republic of Ireland. Applicants must already have unrestricted permission to work in the Republic of Ireland, in addition to the right to work in the UK.

If you have any specific queries regarding eligibility to work in the UK, the Resourcing Compliance team may be able to assist: resourcing-compliance@ulster.ac.uk

We may create a 12-month waiting list for same or similar roles within the Department / Faculty.  The University reserves the right to extend the waiting list across the University if required for certain posts.

Ulster University recognises the potential benefits that Generative AI tools (for example Chat GPT) may bring to some candidates during the application process. In particular, we recognise the positive impact such tools may have with regard to equality, diversity and inclusion. When using AI, however, we encourage candidates to use the technology responsibly, ensuring that submitted applications provide an accurate representation of your skills, abilities and experience. Our selection activities are designed to robustly test and evaluate the extent to which candidates meet the selection criteria outlined for each role. This includes the use of interviews, presentations, written exercises and other additional selection activities as appropriate for each role.

Ulster University holds a Silver Athena SWAN award in recognition of our commitment to advancing Gender equality in higher education. You can read more about what this means at  https://www.advance-he.ac.uk/equality-charters/transformed-uk-athena-swan-charter and on our University website  https://www.ulster.ac.uk/peopleandculture/employee-benefits/equality-diversity/athena-swan. The University has a range of initiatives to support a family friendly working environment, including flexible working.