Role: Research Associate in Agent-Based Modelling for Transport Decarbonisation
Grade and Salary: Grade 7, £37,174 - £46,735 per annum
FTE and working pattern: 1 FTE, 35hrs per week, Monday : Friday
Contract: This role is funded until June 2029
Holiday Entitlement: 33 days annual leave plus 9 buildings closed days (and Christmas Eve when it falls on a weekday)

PURPOSE OF ROLE

The post-holder will work within the TransiT Hub at Heriot-Watt University, with a multi-disciplinary team of researchers specialising in agent-based modelling, logistics and transportation simulation modelling, supply-chain simulation and optimisation. The research team also supports the DARe project (Decarbonised Adaptable Resilient Transport Infrastructures) and the modelling work will also contribute to this research programme.
As part of the team, the post-holder will ensure that a wide range of impactful digital twin research and simulation applications can be implemented by designing and developing appropriate software solutions and architectures, communicating across the diverse specialist TransiT teams to ensure these approaches are accessible and maintainable for all.
The role-holder is expected to spend at least 3 days a week working in person on campus at Heriot-Watt University.

KEY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Design, build, test and implement complex adaptive agent-based models appropriate for the project contexts.
• Designing and agreeing designs of experiments for exercising the agent-based models to best create real-world impact and maximise their utility in shaping policy.
• Engage in novel algorithm design to solve problems related to current and emergent projects and initiatives in decarbonising freight and logistics operations
• Conduct and disseminate original research aligned with the project and in collaboration with the multi-institutional, multi-disciplinary team
• Generate academic output associated with the research activity, such as journal publications or oral presentations to conferences.
• Provide regular updates and progress reports to the project team, analysing and presenting findings in a professional manner
• Work as part of the broader project team to help organize events and/ or support the work of the team as needed
• Contribute to networking, outreach and impact engagement activities of the projects, both internally and externally
• Demonstrate initiative in making routine decisions to manage and achieve project deliverables and deadlines