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Research Assistant/ Associate in Communication Networks (Fixed Term)

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University of Cambridge

Central Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, UK

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Research Assistant/ Associate in Communication Networks (Fixed Term)

Research Assistant/Associate

15 May 2026

Location

Central Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, UK

University of Cambridge

Type

Fixed Term (until 30 September 2026)

Salary

£33,002 - £46,049 (Research Assistant/Associate)

Required Qualifications

PhD in communication networks
Track record in networks architectures & testbeds
Experience with SDN, Docker, Kubernetes
Python, APIs, automation frameworks
5G/6G stacks & network monitoring

Research Areas

Communication Networks
Software-Defined Networking
5G/6G Testbeds
Cloud-Native Tools
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Research Assistant/ Associate in Communication Networks (Fixed Term)

Research Assistant/ Associate in Communication Networks (Fixed Term)

A position exists, for a Research Assistant/Associate in the Department of Engineering to work on Communication Networks.

The post holder will be located in Central Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, UK.

The key responsibilities and duties are:

  • Develop professional technical documents and reports as deliverables.
  • Prepare research outputs for presentation at conferences and publication in peer-reviewed journals.
  • Manage own research and administrative activities, with guidance where required.
  • Communicate research findings and technical material of a specialist or highly technical nature.
  • May provide limited supervision and instruction to PhD and Master's students.
  • Build and maintain internal and external contacts and participate in research networks to exchange information and support future collaborations.
  • Oversee and monitor progress of project activities.
  • Plan the effective use of research resources, laboratories, and workshop facilities as appropriate.

The skills, qualifications and experience required to perform the role are:

  1. Holds (or is close to obtaining) a PhD in a subject relevant to communication networks.
  2. A significant track record in the communication networks architectures, experimental testbeds, and programming for communication networks (i.e. publications, presentations, etc.).
  3. Experience with communication and networking systems, including software-defined and distributed infrastructures. This includes hands-on experience with networking and cloud-native tools (e.g., Linux networking, Docker, Kubernetes, BubbleRAN) as well as programming and data analysis environments (e.g., Python, APIs, automation frameworks, Jupyter, etc.).
  4. Experience in program development and experimentation with network testbeds. Familiarity with experimental testbeds, 5G/6G stacks, or large-scale network measurement and monitoring tools is highly desirable.
  5. Willingness to contribute to the wider activities of the group by participating in seminars, co-supervising students and taking part in outreach activities.
  6. Highly developed written and oral communication skills in English, excellent presentation, organisational and problem-solving skills.
  7. Self-motivated to achieve research objectives and ability to work effectively and independently as part of a multi-disciplinary team.

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: GBP 33,002 - GBP 35,608

Research Associate: GBP 37,694 - GBP 46,049

Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available until 30 September 2026 in the first instance.

Click the 'Apply' button below to register an account with our recruitment system (if you have not already) and apply online.

Please ensure that you upload your Curriculum Vitae (CV), a covering letter and publication list 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 any questions about this vacancy, please contact Dr Iman Tavakkolnia at it360@cam.ac.uk.

Please quote reference NM49593 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.

Apply online

Key information

Department/location

Department of Engineering

Salary

£34,610 - £35,608
£37,694 - £46,049

Reference

NM49593

Category

Research

Date published

30 April 2026

Closing date

15 May 2026

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Frequently Asked Questions

🎓What qualifications are required for this Research Assistant/Associate role?

Candidates must hold or be close to obtaining a PhD in communication networks or related field. A strong track record in communication networks architectures, experimental testbeds, and programming (e.g., publications) is essential. Hands-on experience with software-defined networking (SDN), Docker, Kubernetes, Python, and 5G/6G stacks is required. See similar research assistant jobs for benchmarks.

💰What is the salary range for Research Assistant vs Associate?

Salary depends on qualification level: Research Assistant (£33,002 - £35,608 or £34,610 - £35,608); Research Associate (£37,694 - £46,049). Appointment upgrades upon PhD award. Compare with professor salaries and university salaries in the UK.

📝How do I apply for this communication networks position?

Upload your CV, covering letter, and publication list via the online system. Quote reference NM49593. Apply by midnight on 15 May 2026. Contact Dr Iman Tavakkolnia at it360@cam.ac.uk for queries. Explore research jobs for tips.

🔬What are the key responsibilities in this role?

Develop technical documents and reports; prepare conference presentations and journal publications; manage research and admin; communicate findings; supervise PhD/Master's students; build networks; oversee project progress and resources. Details align with postdoctoral research roles.

📅What is the duration and location of the position?

Fixed-term until 30 September 2026, based in Central Cambridge, UK. Ideal for communication networks experts seeking hands-on testbed work. Check research assistant jobs in Cambridge.

👥Are there supervision or collaboration duties?

Yes, provide limited supervision to PhD and Master's students; build internal/external contacts; participate in seminars and outreach. Strong communication skills and teamwork required. Relevant for faculty positions.
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