Position Title : Research Fellow in Transport Decarbonisation

Level: Grade 8 (£44,414 - £52,841) depending on Experience

Contract: Fixed Term to 30/11/23, with expectation of extension

Heriot-Watt University has established a reputation for world-class teaching and leading-edge, relevant research, which has made it one of the top UK universities for innovation, business and industry.

Heriot-Watt University has five campuses: three in the UK (Edinburgh, Scottish Borders and Orkney), one in Dubai and one in Malaysia. The University offers a highly distinctive range of degree programmes in the specialist areas of science, engineering, design, business and languages. Heriot-Watt University is also Scotland's most international university, boasting the largest international student cohort.

2 new Research Fellows will work on developing a national capability in Digital Twinning to enable transport decarbonisation, by informing a large consultation on its structure, membership and research agenda. With the opportunity for an immediate start, we seek experienced and organised researchers to support an extensive range of consultation activities, including focus groups, open and semi-structured interviews, as well as workshops. The applicant will be part of a unified Heriot-Watt and University of Glasgow team, consisting of academics, researchers, business development staff and expert consultants. The successful applicants will support stakeholder engagement, coordination of activities and analysis of qualitative and quantitative feedback. The role provides a unique and high profile opportunity to establish extensive and valuable network connections, and to be central to the co-creation of a strategic national research agenda in Digital Twinning for Transport.

On behalf of the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) we are leaders of a strategic consultation, in partnership with the University of Glasgow, on the use of Digital Twinning in decarbonising the UK transport system. This role will support the co-creation of DT capabilities and practices, that align to the strategic objectives of future transport, such as decarbonisation, intelligent logistics etc. Our open consultation will be inclusive to all stakeholders and will encompass all modes of transport (e.g. road, rail, maritime and aviation), throughout the UK as well as the diverse markets/end users of transport services and technology.

This consultation will inform the structure, membership and research agenda for a National capability in Digital Twinning to enable the decarbonisation of transport. With the opportunity for an immediate start, we are seeking an experienced and organised researcher to support an extensive range of consultation activities, including focus groups, open and semi-structured interviews, as well as workshops.. The applicant will be part of a Heriot-Watt and University of Glasgow team, consisting of academics, researchers, business development staff and expert consultants. The successful applicant will support stakeholder engagement, coordination of activities and analysis of qualitative and quantitative feedback. This role provides a unique and high profile opportunity to establish extensive and valuable network connections, and to be central to the co-creation of a strategic national research agenda in Digital Twinning for Transport.

Prof.Phil Greening 's team has established a world-class reputation in logistics and freight modelling for decarbonisation. He leads the words Centre for Logistics and Sustainability at Heriot -Watt University and he is Co-director of the Centre for Sustainable Road Freight with Cambridge University and Westminster University. He has built up a close-knit international research community with specialisms in agent-based modelling, simulations, gamification and transport behaviour. The team has expanded significantly over the last year and is a welcoming and inclusive community. Research associates within the team have opportunities to advance their academic careers within Heriot-Watt.

The applicant is expected to have experience and a good general knowledge of the Transport research landscape. Along with an ability to work, with advisement, in the principles and practice of equality, diversity and inclusion, to support a genuinely inclusive research agenda.

Whilst the initial appointment is initially until November 2023 (6 months) the 2nd stage of the project is expected to start upon completion of the consultation. The second stage will last 5 years .

Key Duties and Responsibilities

The post holders are required to:

• Support the preparation of interviews, surveys, workshops and focus groups
• Assist in the review of UK and Global Transport research agendas
• Contribute to briefing papers and press releases
• Support the maintenance of an open information repository of information for stakeholders
• Assist in representing the consultation a strategic national event, providing stakeholders with information/presentation on the progress and ambitions of the consultation
• Collaborate with Heriot-Watt and University of Glasgow teams in creating an inclusive network of stakeholders
• Produce Briefing Papers
• Liaise with research and industrial clusters and real-world demonstrators
• Engage with policy makers and transport organisations.
  

Essential Criteria

• PhD or Equivalent Experience in a related Transport subject (logistics, transportation behaviour, transport energy etc)
• Relevant experience in running focus groups and semi-structured and open interviews
• Self-organising and responsible researcher
• Good data analytical skills/capability : a key aspect of the role is the analysis of large volumes of qualitative research data, within a constrained time-window
• Strong understanding of principles and practice of equality, diversity and inclusion within research
• Strong presentation and communication skills: Ability to articulate research work by oral presentation to non-specialist audiences.
• Energy and enthusiasm for the project. This will be an intense period of work with a strong and engaged team.
• Experience of work environment: Experience of working in a multi-cultural, multi-stakeholder and multi-disciplinary work environment
• Evidence of research ability: the ability to proactively find solutions and develop approaches to complex problems, regularly presenting findings and issues to your peers.
  

Application process and UK right to work.

When compiling an application, it is critical that all the essential criteria are each individually addressed.

The posts are available for immediate start. Given the work to be accomplished within the 6-month timeframe, applicants who can evidence they are available for a prompt start will prioritised in the shortlisting process. All potential applicants should review, and take into account, their current right-to-work status before starting to compile an application.

For more information, and application details, email Andrew Smith : a.smith_1@hw.ac.uk

At Heriot Watt we are passionate about our values and look to them to connect our people globally and to help us collaborate and celebrate our success through working together. Our research programmes can deliver real world impact which is achieved through the diversity of our international community and the recognition of creative talent that connects our global team.

Our flourishing community will give you the freedom to challenge and to bring your enterprising mind and to help our partners with solutions that can be applied now and in the future. Join us and Heriot Watt will provide you with a platform to thrive and work in a way that also helps you live your life in balance with well-being and inclusiveness at the heart of our global community.

Heriot-Watt University is committed to securing equality of opportunity in employment and to the creation of an environment in which individuals are selected, trained, promoted, appraised and otherwise treated on the sole basis of their relevant merits and abilities. Equality and diversity are all about maximising potential and creating a culture of inclusion for all.

Heriot-Watt University values diversity across our University community and welcomes applications from all sectors of society, particularly from underrepresented groups. For more information, please see our website https://www.hw.ac.uk/uk/services/equality-diversity.htm and also our award-winning work in Disability Inclusive Science Careers https://disc.hw.ac.uk/ .

We welcome and will consider flexible working patterns e.g. part-time working and job share options.

Use our total rewards calculator: https://www.hw.ac.uk/about/work/total-rewards-calculator.htm to see the value of benefits provided by Heriot-Watt University.