RA or Senior RA - Adv Assistive XR

Loughborough University - Wolfson School of Mechanical Electrical and Manufacturing Engineering

Advanced Assistive Visualization using XR (Augmented and Virtual Reality) Development

This role will be recruited to either a Senior Research Associate or Research Associate depending on the pool of applicants we receive.

Full-time, fixed-term until 30 June 2026.

Loughborough University are funded as part of a £20m project led by Airbus to research and develop next generation advanced assistive visualization solutions involving eXtended Reality systems. The objective is to develop XR systems that provide accurate graphical overlays onto real manufacturing components. This will include designing operator tasking information overlays and virtual target markers to guide operators to perform manual operations such as sequenced drilling. Funding has been received to acquire state of the art AR/VR systems that will eventually be deployed in an Airbus factory environment.

The previous post holder has developed fully reconfigurable XR software using Unity involving a set of user information displays to drive probably the World’s most advanced XR display. Loughborough has tested our system with facilities at UCL in readiness for integration at Airbus Broughton. Initial user evaluations trials have already started.

We need someone to help develop new displays concepts and support integration at Airbus Broughton.

For more information regarding the Senior Research Associate (grade 7) vacancy refer to the Job Description and Person Specification.

For more information regarding the Research Associate (grade 6) vacancy refer to the Job Description and Person Specification.

Informal Enquiries

Informal enquiries are welcomed and should be directed to Professor Roy S. Kalawsky, RAEng/Airbus Research Chair in Digital and Data Engineering Information Systems, Wolfson School of Mechanical, Electrical and Manufacturing Engineering, by email r.s.kalawsk@lboro.ac.uk or by telephone +44 (0)1509 225678.

Closing Date: 24 November 2025

Our Benefits

At Loughborough, our benefits are designed to support your life inside and outside of work, helping you to thrive and feel valued as part of our community. Examples of our benefits include:

Time off - generous holiday allowance, including 14 university closure days and bank holidays, with the option to buy extra through our holiday purchase scheme.

Where you work – access to a range of fantastic facilities with plenty of green space across our 523-acre East Midlands campus, plus an exciting community at our London campus on the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.

Financial wellbeing – competitive pay, two excellent pension schemes, and everyday savings opportunities.

Support for you and your family – on-site nursery at our East Midlands campus, flexible and hybrid working options, and a range of family-friendly policies.

Health and wellbeing – discounted gym memberships and access to world-class sporting facilities, including physiotherapy, plus healthcare offers such as eyesight testing and wellbeing support.

Travel and sustainability- access to our electric vehicle and cycle-to-work schemes, as well as a variety of travel offers to support sustainable commuting.

Discover more about the full range of rewards and benefits at Loughborough University.