Description Role: Research Associate - TransiT Grade and Salary: Grade 7, £36,023 - £45,585 per annum FTE and working pattern: 1 FTE, 35hrs per week, Monday – Friday Contract: Fixed Term (48 months) Holiday Entitlement: 33 days annual leave plus 9 buildings closed days (and Christmas Eve when it falls on a weekday) About the Project TransiT is in a consortium of seven universities, supporting the formation of a new national research centred funded by a significant UKRI and stakeholder co-investment for a 5-year and £45M programme of challenge-led research into digital twinning for transport decarbonisation. The research will build on highly successful consultation which explored transport decarbonisation and mode integration. This new national research hub will be responsible for delivering new knowledge, technical capabilities and policy advisement relating to UK digital twinning (or transport decarbonisation) priorities. This highly ambitious programme of research is supported by over 65 industrial, research and stakeholder organisations. The consortium behind this national hub represents a highly interdisciplinary network of experts, and includes a significant cohort of early career researchers, research associates and PhD students, who will work closely together in a multi-disciplinary collaborative environment to deliver this ground-breaking research. About the Team The key Schools involved in this project are the School of Social Sciences (SOSS), the School of Mathematics and Computer Science (MACS) and the School of Engineering and Physical Sciences through its Institute of Mechanical, Process and Energy Engineering (IMPEE). This Research Associate position is jointly led by Prof. David Corne (MACS) and Dr Theodore Lim (IMPEE). Key Duties & Responsibilities We are seeking to appoint 1 full-time researcher to undertake the following key tasks (and/or additional tasks will be defined as the project develops): Work closely with the various other researchers in the TransiT team, including our industrial partners Focus on the technical specification, engineering and realisation of transport system simulations, and on associated research questions, particularly regarding interoperability and merging of simulations Day to day research and technical management which includes (but not limited to) design and implementation of specification languages design and implementation of game-based digital tools navigation of cloud and high-performance computing infrastructures synthesising and/or working with large datasets relating to transport demand wrangling robust third-party open-source simulation packages such as MATSim and UrbanSim Help to organise and conduct the pilot studies Analyse data and write reports and publications Assist with disseminating results of the pilots Essential & Desirable Criteria Essential Demonstrable knowledge, experience, and skills (but not limited) to the following: Software engineering Simulation and modelling (transport simulation, agent-based systems, configuration management in cloud and large-scale computation, transport demand modelling) Digital twinning processes, methods and techniques Human-computer systems AI/ML Extended reality Ability to conduct scientific and technological review, research and development of gamified digital tools Confidence in using, developing, and integrating technologies (e.g., AI/ML, sensing, digital twin computing, multi-agent services) Ability to apply Systems thinking and engineering (analysis, design, and development) to leverage human and computer capabilities to accomplish simulation tasks ranging from simple to highly complex Experience in conducting experiments, different data capture and system-user analysis methods and techniques Excellent written and verbal communication skills - ability to document, report, and present at scientific and technical meetings in the consortium and at international level Ability to manage own time, work to deadlines, work in groups and independently (even under remote supervision), and additionally support and later lead certain aspects of the research Desirable Experience in advanced research methods in the field of simulation and modelling Experience in software and hardware development (e.g., embedded AI, data capture, synchronisation, and data fusion) Awareness and understanding on interoperability methods and technical requirements Creative systems design and engineering (e.g., interactive procedural content generation and media streaming in a digital twinning contexts) A degree or equivalent certified professional qualification. Candidates who are near to completion of their PhD will also be considered Knowledge, Skills & Experience Ability and willingness to learn new digital skills and capabilities appropriate to your role and how it evolves Understand and adhere to information security practices particularly as it relates to personal or sensitive information Maintain awareness of my own digital wellbeing by being mindful of the length of time spent at a screen and the impact on mental and physical health in using digital technologies. How to Apply Applications can be submitted up to midnight (UK time) on Friday 11 th October 2024. Please note that interviews for this role are anticipated to take place on w/c 21 st October 2024. Please submit your CV via the Heriot-Watt on-line recruitment. We welcome and will consider flexible working patterns e.g., part-time working and job share options. 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/. 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. About Heriot-Watt University 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.