Research Assistant/Associate in Data Science (Fixed Term)

We are seeking for a Research Assistant/Associate in Data Science to join the Centre for Industrial Sustainability within the Department of Engineering, to work on the SEEBEYOND project which aims to motivate food companies improve environmental performance beyond legal compliance. The project is funded by the Environment Agency and Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (Defra).

The post holder will be based in West Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, UK.

The role offers a distinct opportunity to develop real-world solutions to environmental sustainability with cutting-edge transdisciplinary research. The post holder will provide technical expertise to address the specific project needs through analysing the structure of databases using knowledge graphs and graph algorithms. This will create a suitable framework for constructing a standardised data structure to develop a scalable solution to helping food companies report environmental performance more efficiently and transparently. Please see the HR7 Further Information document for the Key Responsibilities of the role.

The ideal candidate should possess (or be close to obtaining) a PhD in Computer Science, Statistics, Applied Mathematics, Engineering, or a related scientific discipline and demonstrate

• Research/work experience in structuring, analysing and harmonising databases
• Knowledge of and experience in graph-based representation models (e.g. graph representation learning, ontology) 
• Knowledge and experience in Python, XML and other relevant programming languages
• Track-record of high-quality publications
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Transdisciplinary research experience

Salary Ranges: Research Assistant: £29,605 - £33,966; Research Associate: £36,024 - £44,263

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. 

Fixed-term: The funds for this post will be available for 18 months in the first instance. There is a possibility to extend the contract based on the availability of further funding.

Please ensure that you upload your Curriculum Vitae (CV) and a covering letter (including 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 Lili Jia (email: [email protected] ) for queries of a technical nature related to the role or Frances Bycroft (email [email protected] ) for queries about the application process.

Please quote reference NM40409 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.

The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.

The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.