Research Associate – Aviation Simulation, Digital Twins and AI Systems Development

Emirates Aviation University (EAU), the education arm of the Emirates Group, is an established higher education institution in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, committed to excellence in education, research, innovation and industry engagement. The University offers a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate programmes across aviation, engineering, business, artificial intelligence, data science and related disciplines, combining academic rigour with industry relevance.

With its international academic community, aviation industry connections and commitment to applied research and technological innovation, EAU offers a stimulating environment for researchers and engineers seeking to contribute to the development of advanced simulation, analytics and intelligent aviation systems.

Emirates Aviation University invites applications from suitably qualified candidates for the position of Research Associate / Research Engineer – Aviation Simulation, Digital Twins and AI Systems Development.

The Opportunity

The successful candidate will contribute to applied research and technology development in aviation simulation, digital twins, AI systems integration, data analytics and optimisation. The role focuses on developing functional research prototypes, simulation environments and intelligent software applications, alongside academic laboratory and student project support.

Qualifications

A PhD in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Computer Engineering, Data Science, Systems Engineering, Simulation and Modelling, Applied Mathematics or Operations Research from a recognised university is preferred.

Key Research and Development Areas

• Aviation Simulation and Digital Twins
• Discrete-Event and Agent-Based Modelling
• AI/ML Integration, Deployment and Intelligent Decision-Support Systems
• Data Analytics, Visualisation and Data Engineering
• Mathematical Optimisation and Resource Scheduling
• Research Software and Application Development

Research and Technology Development Responsibilities

• Design and develop simulation models, digital-twin prototypes and AI-enabled decision-support applications for aviation operations.
• Integrate AI/ML models, optimisation algorithms and data systems into functional research applications.
• Develop data pipelines, APIs, interactive dashboards and software prototypes.
• Conduct simulation experiments, scenario analysis, system testing and model validation.
• Support industry demonstrations, technical reporting and collaborative research projects.

Academic and Laboratory Support

• Support undergraduate and postgraduate modules, including practical laboratories and assessments, as required.
• Develop programming exercises, simulation experiments and technical demonstrations.
• Maintain research computing environments and support student projects and workshops.

Required Knowledge and Experience

• Strong Python programming skills and experience in software development and integration.
• Knowledge of simulation modelling, optimisation and AI/ML applications.
• Experience with data analytics, SQL databases, APIs and web application development.
• Understanding of software testing, version control and technical documentation.
• Ability to develop functional research software and simulation applications.

Additional Skills

Experience with tools such as Fast Time Simulator (AirTop), MATLAB, OR-Tools, Flask, FastAPI, Streamlit, Git, PostgreSQL, Docker or cloud platforms. Familiarity with multi-agent systems, geospatial analytics or AI deployment would be advantageous.

Desirable Aviation Industry Experience

Experience in airport, airline or air traffic operations, ground handling, aviation analytics or transportation simulation would be an advantage. Candidates with strong technical expertise and an interest in aviation applications are encouraged to apply.

Why Join Emirates Aviation University?

Located in Dubai, a global aviation and innovation hub, EAU provides opportunities to develop intelligent aviation solutions, contribute to interdisciplinary research, collaborate with industry partners and support advanced research and academic laboratory activities.

Application Process

Interested candidates are invited to submit an up-to-date CV, including relevant technical experience, research or software development projects and publications (where applicable), to Recruitment@eau.ac.ae, clearly indicating the position applied for in the email subject line.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and early applications are encouraged. Shortlisted candidates will be invited for interviews in London in mid-November 2026. Applications will remain open until the position is filled.

Location: Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Employment Type: Full-Time

For more information about Emirates Aviation University, please visit www.eau.ac.ae