Research Assistant AI Driven Heritage Design

Job Description

The Architectural Engineering Department at the United Arab Emirates University (UAEU) is seeking a highly motivated and skilled Research Assistant to support a funded interdisciplinary research project focused on the integration of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) into contemporary heritage design in the UAE context. The successful candidate will work closely with the Principal Investigator and research team on tasks including but not limited to:

• Literature review on AI-driven design tools and cultural heritage integration.
• Data collection and preprocessing of heritage-related design imagery.
• Training, testing, and evaluation of generative AI models (e.g., Midjourney, Stable Diffusion).
• Supporting qualitative data collection through surveys and interviews.
• Thematic analysis of qualitative data using software such as NVivo or equivalent.
• Contributing to the development of culturally grounded AI-generated design prototypes.
• Drafting academic articles and dissemination materials based on research findings.
  
  

• Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Architectural Engineering, Design Computing, Digital Humanities, or related fields.
• Demonstrated knowledge of generative AI platforms and tools (e.g., Midjourney, DALL·E, Stable Diffusion, GANs, VAEs).
• Strong qualitative research skills including interview design, transcription, and thematic analysis.
• Excellent academic writing skills, with the ability to produce technical reports and research manuscripts in English.
• High level of initiative, flexibility, and ability to work independently and maintain a high standard of research quality
  
  

• A strong publication record in peer-reviewed journals and conferences.
  
  

• Experience with image processing and dataset preparation.
• Familiarity with cultural heritage design principles, especially within the UAE or broader MENA region.
• Prior experience working in interdisciplinary AI-humanities or AI-design research projects.
• Working knowledge of Python-based AI frameworks such as PyTorch or TensorFlow is a plus.
• Familiarity with ethical practices in human-centered design and AI deployment.