Research Assistant

at  University of Glasgow

JOB PURPOSE

You will contribute to the Sensing Enhanced Housing Survey project funded by Urban Big Data Centre, working with Dr Qunshan Zhao and Dr Grant Tregonning. This project is part of the Understanding Society Innovation Panel (https://www.understandingsociety.ac.uk/documentation/innovation-panel/) in 2024 to draw a representative sample to carry out a larger indoor environment study. This project is a three-way collaboration between UBDC’s Urban Sensing & Analytics Team, the UCL Smart Energy Research Lab/Energy Demand Observatory and Laboratory (https://serl.ac.uk/ and https://edol.uk/), and the Understanding Society’s Innovation Panel. We aim to monitor indoor residential environments and energy using low-cost housing sensors and smart-meters, and linking these data with building performance and socio-demographic data. This sensor-enhanced housing survey will roll out to 200-300 households from the national longitudinal panel.

The study will explore how we can use indoor environment sensors to understand human health, extreme heat/cold, and fuel poverty, including:

• The exploration of the use of smart data collection across indoor environment sensor measurements, smart metre data, social survey data, and existing open-source housing characteristics and energy efficiency data.
• The examination the relationships between fuel poverty and indoor environments and human health both subjectively and objectively.
• The development of solutions and warning systems to improve indoor living environment to avoid chronic diseases from mould growth and extreme heat and cold.

Previous project information can be found here:
https://www.gla.ac.uk/news/archiveofnews/2023/december/headline1026834en.html; https://www.ubdc.ac.uk/news/is-home-where-the-heat-is; and https://www.ubdc.ac.uk/news/ubdc-data-analysis-reveals-concern-for-the-uks-overheating-homes
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 sensor enhanced housing survey 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 reasonable duties as required 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, Inspiring People Changing The World.