Research Associate

Job Purpose 

The post holder will play an integral role within the UKs National Research Hub for Decarbonised Adaptable and Resilient Transport Infrastructures (DARe). The vision of DARe is for climate resilient, net zero development of the transport system to be guided by systems analysis. When this vision is realised, decision-makers will have access to (and visualisation of) data that tells them how transport is performing against resilience, decarbonisation, and other objectives, now and in the future. We will deliver them systems models that will help to pinpoint vulnerabilities and quantify the risks of failure. This will enable them to perform 'what-if' analysis of proposed investments and to stress-test scenarios for the major uncertainties that will determine the performance of future transport systems, such as population growth, new materials and technologies and climate change.

The research programme will take a system-of-systems led approach to transport which recognises and addresses the challenges at the three, distinct but critically interlinked, scales of national, regional and local. It will address the interwoven challenges of resilience and net zero, for both existing and new transport infrastructures, and identify and provide solutions for new vulnerabilities that may occur because of the net zero transition, including critical interdependencies with digital and power infrastructures.

The role at the University of Glasgow, working closely with colleagues at Newcastle University, Heriot-Watt and University of Cambridge, and co-creating solutions with our pan-UK network of stakeholders, will be to systems of systems analysis of the transport-energy nexus. Using methods from complex adaptive systems and ontologies, and leveraging ICT/Cyber Physical Infrastructure, we will create new networks of models that allow us to understand the resilience, performance and decarbonisation pathways of adaptive and resilient transport infrastructure.

https://gow.epsrc.ukri.org/NGBOViewGrant.aspx?GrantRef=EP/Y024257/1

This role will position you alongside internationally recognised experts and at the forefront of research in resilience modelling of future transport infrastructure and services, through system of systems analysis and at the frontier of cyber physical infrastructure and systems.

For further information, please contact the University of Glasgow project Prof. David Flynn, Head of Research Division (HoRD), Autonomous Systems and Connectivity (ASC). [[email protected]]

Main Duties and Responsibilities

1.         Take a leading role in the planning and conduct of 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.         Establish and maintain your research profile and reputation and that of The University of Glasgow/ School/ Research Group, including establishing and sustaining a track record of independent and joint 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.         Survey the research literature and environment, understand the research challenges associated with the project & subject area, & develop/implement a suitable research strategy.

5.         Presentation of work at international and national conferences, at internal and external seminars, colloquia and workshops to develop and enhance our research profile.

6.         Take a leading role in 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.

7.         Take a leading role in developing and maintaining collaborations with colleagues across the research group/School/College/University and wider community (e.g. Academic and Industrial Partners).

8.         Take a leading role in team/group meetings/seminars/workshops and School research group activities to enhance the wider knowledge, outputs and culture of the School/College.

9.         Take the lead in 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.

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

11.       Make a leading contribution to Teaching activities (e.g. demonstrating etc) and associated admin as assigned by the Head of School and in consultation with Principal Investigator.

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

13.       Engage in personal, professional and career development, to enhance both specialist and transferable skills in accordance with desired career trajectory.

14.       Undertake any other reasonable duties as required by the Head of School/Director of Research Institute.

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

These key tasks are not intended to be exhaustive but simply highlight a number of major tasks which the staff member may be reasonably expected to perform.

Knowledge, Qualifications, Skills and Experience

Knowledge/Qualifications

Essential:

A1 An awarded PhD or equivalent in Engineering/Computer Science/Industrial Mathematical Modelling/ or a related area or equivalent

A2 A comprehensive and up-to-date knowledge of current issues and future directions in the use of whole systems modelling, digital modelling, systems engineering, ontologies, and data analysis.

A3 Proficient in whole systems modelling, programming using Python, and deep learning frameworks such as TensorFlow and PyTorch.

Desirable: 

B1 A Good understanding of systems of systems modelling concepts.

Skills

Essential: 

C1 Proven skills in a field relevant to at least one of the following: whole systems modelling, complex adaptive systems, cyber physical infrastructure/systems, ontologies, control theory, and systems engineering

C2 Research creativity and strong cross-discipline collaborative ability.

C3 Excellent communication skills (oral and written), including public presentations and the 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.

C9 Good Team Leadership skills including demonstrable supervisory skills.

Experience

Essential:

E1 Sufficient depth of relevant research experience, normally including sufficient postdoctoral experience in a related field, appropriate to an early career researcher

E2 Experience in deep learning

E3 Experience in programming in a scientific or industrial setting

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

E5 A track record of presentation and publication of research results in quality journals/conferences

E6 Experience of making a leading contribution in academic activities

E7 Ability to demonstrate a degree of independence as illustrated by identification of project objectives from assessment of the literature, design and analysis of experiments and drafting of papers.

E8 Experience in undertaking independent research

Closing date:  22 January 2024

Terms and Conditions

Salary will be Grade 7, £39,347 - £44,263 per annum.

This post is full time, and has funding for up to 38 months.

Relocation assistance will be provided where appropriate.

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.