Research Fellow in Systems Thinking

Organisation

Cranfield University

School/Department

Cranfield Defence and Security

Based at

Cranfield Campus, Cranfield, Bedfordshire

Hours of work

37 hours per week, normally worked Monday to Friday. Flexible working will be considered

Contract type

Fixed term contract

Fixed Term Period

Fixed Term Contract for 48 months

Salary

Full time starting salary is normally in the range of £33,809 to £37,684 per annum, with potential progression up to £47,105 per annum

Cranfield University’s world-class expertise, large-scale facilities and unrivalled industry partnerships is creating leaders in technology and management globally. Learn more about Cranfield and our unique impact here .

About the Role

This exciting position will allow the successful candidate to join the recently funded UKPRP GroundsWell consortium, working closely with the Complex Systems, Urban Environment and Population Health Group at Queens University Belfast.  The programme of research is focused on using complexity science and systems-thinking methods to inform systems transformations of urban green and blue space (UGBS) in the prevention of non-communicable disease and the reduction of inequalities in the UK. You will have a passion for research involving a range of modern qualitative and quantitative systems methods including Soft Systems Methodology, the Viable System Model, and System Dynamics modelling.  Cranfield’s part of the project focuses on co-developing a system-oriented conceptual framework for shared understanding and transformations of UGBS.

About You

You will have a PhD in an appropriate field and have experience in applying a range of systems thinking methods to include at least one of Soft Systems Methodology, Viable System Model, and Critical Systems Heuristics.  Experience with a range of research methods (quantitative and qualitative) and their application and knowledge of a wide range of systems thinking techniques, including soft systems methodology (SSM), causal loop modelling and Viable System Model is essential. 

In return, the successful applicant will have exciting opportunities for career development in this key position, and to support world leading research and education, joining a supportive team and environment.

Our Values

Our shared, stated values help to define who we are and underpin everything we do: Ambition; Impact; Respect; and Community. Find out more here . We aim to create and maintain a culture in which everyone can work and study together and realise their full potential.

Diversity and Inclusion

Our equal opportunities and diversity monitoring has shown that women and/OR minority ethnic groups are currently underrepresented within the university and so we actively encourage applications from eligible candidates from these groups.

Flexible Working

We are currently piloting hybrid working arrangements until April 2022.  This means the majority of our staff are spending between 40% and 60% of their time working from the office where their job roles allow.

About the Centre for Electronic Warfare, Information and Systems within the School of Cranfield Defence and Security

The Centre is Cranfield's focal point for research, education and consultancy into electronic warfare support, information and decision management, all aspects of cyber, and complex systems. Our capabilities are widely respected within the defence and security sector, serving an extensive range of students, clients and organisations. Our teaching is modular with courses lasting between 2 days and 6 weeks and are delivered as either part of the taught MSc and Mastership programmes, as Continuing Professional Development (CPD) short courses or a combination of the two.  Our research ranges from short-deadline consultancy projects for industrial sponsors to larger, multi-year projects funded by various research bodies. We work closely with other Universities and industrial partners to deliver impactful and meaningful research including publishing in peer-reviewed journals.

For an informal discussion about this opportunity, please contact Jeremy Hilton at [email protected] . 

Interviews will be held 9 November 2021.