Research Assistant/ Associate

Job Purpose 

To make a leading contribution to the EPSRC Impact Accelerator Account project ‘Energy-related Emissions Analytics for Sustainable Finance’ working with Dr Vinny Davies, Dr Jethro Browell, and collaborators at NatWest Group’s Climate Data and Technology team. The successful candidate will have a quantitative background in any subject area, with a knowledge of statistics, machine learning, or data science, and an enthusiasm for sustainability. The successful candidate will also be expected to contribute to the formulation and submission of research publications and research proposals as well as help manage and direct this complex and challenging project as opportunities allow. The successful candidate would also be expected to work closely with NatWest Group.

The project will work at the interface of energy analytics and sustainable finance, developing methods and models to quantify financed emissions to accelerate decarbonisation in UK and beyond. The project would suit a candidate looking to develop a career in either academia or industry, with a substantial budget for conference travel and industrial interaction. Communication is key to this project; the successful candidate will need to be comfortable communicating with a broad range of audiences and stakeholders.

NatWest Group have ambitious plans to quantify and reduce their financed emissions with the aim of halving their financed emission by 2030. This project will develop models to predict emissions associated with consumer finance products, such as mortgages, using smart meter and other data. By identifying how different households use energy, the project will identify areas for emission reduction thorough adoption of low-carbon technologies.

Main Duties and Responsibilities 

Perform the following activities in conjunction with and under the guidance of the Principal/Co Investigator:

1. Plan and conduct assigned research individually or jointly in accordance with the project deliverables and project/group/School/College research strategy. 

 2. Document research output including analysis and interpretation of all data, maintaining records and databases, drafting technical/progress reports and papers as appropriate.

3. Develop and enhance your research profile and reputation and that of The University of Glasgow/School/Research Group, including contributing to publications of international quality in high profile/quality refereed journals, enhancing the research impact in terms of economic/societal benefit, and gathering indicators of esteem. 

4. Contribute to the presentation of work at international and national conferences, at internal and external seminars, colloquia and workshops to develop and enhance our research profile.

5. Contribute to the identification of potential funding sources and to assist in the development of proposals to secure funding from internal and external bodies to support future research. 

6. Collaborate with colleagues and participate in team/group meetings/seminars/workshops across the research Group/School/College/University and wider community.

7. Contribute to the organisation, supervision, mentoring and training of undergraduate and/or postgraduate students and less experienced members of the project team to ensure their effective development. 

8. Perform administrative tasks related to the activities of the research group and School, including Budgets/Expenditure.

9. Carry out modest Teaching activities (e.g demonstrating etc) and associated admin as assigned by the Head of School and in consultation with Principal Investigator. 

10. Keep up to date with current knowledge and recent advances in the field/discipline.

11. Engage in continuing professional development activities as appropriate. 

12. Undertake any other duties of equivalent standing as assigned by the Head of School.

13. Contribute to the enhancement of the University’s international profile in line with the University’s Strategic Plan, World Changers Together.

For appointment at Grade 7:

14. Perform the above duties with a higher degree of independence, leadership and responsibility, particularly in relation to planning, funding, collaborating and publishing research, and mentoring colleagues. 

15 Establish and sustain a track record of independent and joint published research to establish and maintain your expert reputation in the subject area.

16. Survey the research literature and environment, understand the research challenges associated with the project & subject area, and develop/implement a suitable research strategy.

Knowledge, Qualifications, Skills and Experience 

Knowledge & Qualifications

Essential: 

A1 SCQF Level 10 (Honours degree) in a relevant subject (Statistics, Computer Science, Engineering, Mathematics); or a cognate discipline, or equivalent

A2 Comprehensive and up-to-date knowledge of statistics, machine learning, and/or data science

A3 A comprehensive and up-to-date knowledge of the wider subject area or subject specialism

For appointment at Grade 7: 

A4 Normally Scottish Credit and Qualification Framework level 12 (PhD) or alternatively possess the equivalent in professional qualifications and experience, with experience of personal development in a similar or related role(s)

Desirable: 

B1 An awarded (or recently submitted or near completion) PhD in subject specialism or equivalent

Knowledge and Skills 

Essential: 

C1 Knowledge of a variety of modelling techniques from statistics, machine learning, or related disciplines, including regression/supervised learning

C2 Strong coding ability with experience in any scripting language, e.g., R or Python

C3 Excellent communication skills (oral and written), including public presentations and ability to communicate complex data/concepts clearly and concisely

C4 Excellent interpersonal skills including team working and a collegiate approach.

C5 Appropriate workload/time/project/people management skills

Desirable: 

D1 Extensive experience of code development in Python

D2 Knowledge and/or experience of time series analysis and forecasting

D3 Ability to effectively develop code in a version-controlled environment, e.g. Git/GitHub

D4 Knowledge of sustainability and climate change issues in energy and/or finance

D5 The ability to research and collaborate creativity and across disciplines

Experience 

Essential: 

E1 Sufficient relevant research experience (or equivalent) appropriate to an early career researcher

E2 Experience of conducting systematic reviews in relevant area

E3 Experience of scientific writing

E4 Proven ability to deliver quality outputs in a timely and efficient manner

E5 Evidence of an emerging track record of publications in a relevant field

For appointment at Grade 7: 

E6 Sufficient depth of relevant research experience, including sufficient postdoctoral experience in a related field, appropriate to an early career researcher

E7 A track record of presentation and publication of research results in quality journals/conferences

E8 Experience of making a leading contribution in academic activities

E9 Ability to demonstrate a degree of independence as illustrated by identification of project objectives from assessment of the literature, design & analysis of experiments & drafting of papers

E10 Experience in undertaking independent research

Desirable: 

F1 Experience working in a secure data environment

F2 Experience working with industry or other non-academic organisations

F3 Experience of working in a multi-disciplinary environment

F4 An emerging national or international reputation

Closing date:  22 March 2024

Terms and Conditions 

Salary will be Grade 6/7, £32,332 - £36,024 / £39,347 - £44,263 per annum.

This post is full time, and has funding for up to 23 months.

As part of Team UofG you will be a member of a world changing, inclusive community, which values ambition, excellence, integrity and curiosity.

As a valued member of our team, you can expect:

1 A warm welcoming and engaging organisational culture, where your talents are developed and nurtured, and success is celebrated and shared.

2 An excellent employment package with generous terms and conditions including 41 days of leave for full time staff, pension - pensions handbook https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/payandpensions/pensions/, benefits and discount packages.

3 A flexible approach to working.

4 A commitment to support your health and wellbeing, including a free 6-month UofG Sport membership for all new staff joining the University  https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/staff/healthwellbeing/.

We believe that we can only reach our full potential through the talents of all. Equality, diversity and inclusion are at the heart of our values. Applications are particularly welcome from across our communities and in particular people from the Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) community, and other protected characteristics who are under-represented within the University. Read more on how the University promotes and embeds all aspects of equality and diversity within our community https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/humanresources/equalitydiversity/.

We endorse the principles of Athena Swan https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/humanresources/equalitydiversity/athenaswan/ and hold bronze, silver and gold awards across the University.

We are investing in our organisation, and we will invest in you too. Please visit our website https://www.gla.ac.uk/explore/jobs/ for more information.