Overview
Your role will lead the design and development of the Virtual Testing Assistant (VTA), a tool that will help to accelerate the shift from traditional physical testing development towards smarter, simulation-driven approaches. Working closely with teams at Nissan and Cranfield University, you will bring together data management, semantic modelling, ontologies, and advanced AI tools such as Large Language Models (LLMs). The VTA will help identify optimal test scenarios, reduce unnecessary repetition, enhance simulation workflows, and improve test planning so vehicle development can be faster and more efficient.
Qualifications
You will hold an MSc (with a First Class undergraduate degree) or a PhD (or be close to completion) in a STEM discipline such as Computer Science, Data Science, Engineering, or Artificial Intelligence.
This role requires strong programming skills (e.g. in Python), along with knowledge of machine learning and data modelling. Experience of delivering AI or data-driven projects is essential. Familiarity with ontologies (e.g. OWL), knowledge graphs (e.g. Neo4j, GraphDB), and system integration tools (e.g. APIs, SPARQL) would be highly desirable.
This role would suit an individual with excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, and the ability to apply systems thinking to complex engineering data challenges. You will be self-motivated, adaptable, and confident communicating across both academic and industrial teams. Knowledge of engineering simulation workflows or automotive systems would be an advantage.
About Cranfield and Nissan
As a specialist postgraduate university, Cranfield\'s world-class expertise, large-scale facilities and unrivalled industry partnerships are creating leaders in technology and management globally. Learn more about Cranfield and our unique impact here.
Cranfield Manufacturing, Materials and Design community are recognised for the delivery of niche postgraduate research, education, and consultancy. We are unique in our multi-disciplinary approach to innovation and problem solving for industry, bringing together design, materials\' technology, and management expertise to create smart, clean, and green solutions with Net Zero UK 2050 in mind. Within this theme, the Centre for Design and Digital Engineering specialises in the integration of advanced digital technologies in engineering practice. We are unique in our multi-disciplinary approach, combining expertise in data science, simulation, AI, and digital twinning to support industry-led innovation in design, testing and development. Find out more about our work here: https://www.cranfield.ac.uk/centres/centre-for-digital-engineering-and-manufacturing
Nissan
Nissan Technical Centre Europe (NTCE) is Nissan\'s European Research & Development hub, based in the UK and Spain and is home to over 900 people from 25 countries. The Test and Design teams based here work together to engineer requirements and designs for new car models for Europe and global markets. All of us at Nissan - regardless of functional area or expertise - share a passion to design, manufacture and sell high-performance, fun to drive vehicles.
Working Arrangements
Collaborating and connecting are integral to so much of what we do. Our Working Arrangements Framework provides many staff with the opportunity to flexibly combine on-site and remote working, where job roles allow, balancing the needs of our community of staff, students, clients and partners.
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