Research Assistant/Associate

Job Purpose

The University of Glasgow is in a consortium of seven universities, supporting the formation of a new national research centre funded by a significant UKRI and stakeholder co-investment for a 5-year and £45M programme of challenge-led research into digital twinning for transport decarbonisation. The research will build on highly successful consultation which explored transport decarbonisation and mode integration. This new national research hub will be responsible for delivering new knowledge, technical capabilities and policy advisement relating to UK digital twinning (for transport decarbonisation) priorities. This highly ambitious programme of research is supported by over 65 industrial, research and stakeholder organisations. The consortium behind this national hub represents a highly interdisciplinary network of experts, and includes a significant cohort of early career researchers, research associates and PhD students, who will work closely together in a multi-disciplinary collaborative environment to deliver this ground-breaking research.

You will be working under the direct supervision of Prof. Dimitrios Pezaros (Computing Science) within this multidisciplinary national research hub jointly led by Prof. David Flynn, and make leading contributions to the cybersecurity and resilience of federated (networked) digital twins.

You will conduct cutting-edge research in cyber-physical security, resilience and connectivity of federated Digital Twin systems, you will devise closed-loop strategies for detection and mitigation of adversarial events, and active and passive network monitoring and asset discovery approaches. Your work will harness latest advances in network programmability and virtualisation to devise reconfigurable and resilient network architectures for connecting distributed asset networks.

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.

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/Director of Research Institute.

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, & develop/implement a suitable research strategy.

Knowledge, Qualifications. Skills and Experience

**Knowledge and Qualifications **

Essential:

A1 SCQF Level 10 (Honours degree) in a relevant subject or a cognate discipline, or equivalent.

A2 Specialist theoretical and practical knowledge of:

•         Cybersecurity and resilience of networked systems and/or digital twins;

•         Future networking and connectivity technologies (software-defined/virtualised/programmable)

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

Desirable:

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

For appointment at grade 7:

Essential: 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)

Skills

Essential:

C1 Network and Operating Systems programming (e.g., C/Python); network measurement implementation; network stack offload (e.g., eBPF/XDP, DPDK) and/or dataplane technologies (e.g., P4)

C2 Research creativity and cross-discipline collaborative ability as appropriate. 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/budget/people management skills

C6 Extensive IT and data analysis/interpretation skills as appropriate. C7 Self motivation, initiative and independent thought/working

C8 Problem solving skills including a flexible and pragmatic approach

For appointment at grade 7:

Essential :

C9 A comprehensive and up-to-date knowledge of current issues and future directions within the wider subject area or subject specialism

C10 Knowledge of project specific technical models, equipment or techniques

Experience

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

E2 Project or subject specific experience

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:

Essential :

E6 Sufficient depth of relevant research experience, normally 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 An emerging national or international reputation

Please note that as part of your application you must address and demonstrate how you meet EACH of the essential/desirable criteria.

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 3 years in the first instance. 

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

The University of Glasgow has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.  If you require a Skilled Worker visa to work in the UK, you will be required to meet the eligibility requirements of the visa route to be assigned a Certificate of Sponsorship.

Please note that this post may be eligible to be sponsored under the Skilled Worker visa route if tradeable points can be used under the Skilled Worker visa rules. For more information please visit: https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa.

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.