Job Summary: The Research Fellow will embark on a European Research Council (ERC) project ( focused on Maritime Autonomy under the mentorship of your principal investigator and the collective guidance of MarRI-UK's academic and industry experts. This project aims to enhance operational safety, advance automation controls, and improve interactions between humans and autonomous systems within the realm of autonomous ships. Key tasks include developing high-precision Maritime Situational Awareness and autonomous decision-making tools that enable level 3 MASS to effectively execute their missions. This will involve creating sophisticated technologies for intelligent collision risk assessment, route planning, and robust anticollision strategies. You will also use realistic traffic scenarios to ensure thorough validation of the reliability and trustworthiness of these autonomous tools. Additionally, you will formulate a comprehensive strategy for the design, operation, and maintenance of autonomous vessels, focusing on identifying current operational challenges and mitigating potential risks. The successful candidate will assist in the planning, coordination, and execution of the project, manage research resources, and contribute to the dissemination of research findings through publications and presentations at project meetings and relevant conferences., Research
* Liaise with other project researchers and project investigators to coordinate and prioritise
the research activities.
* Take a primary role in leading and managing the project to ensure its progress, including
the preparation of both technical and administrative documents, attendance of project meetings, and reports on progress on a bi-weekly basis.
* Maintain awareness of and take measures to achieve project deliverables and milestones.
* Actively contribute to the dissemination of research findings, including delivering
presentations at project working meetings and related conferences.
* Conduct thorough technical reviews to critically examine areas within autonomous
shipping, aiming to gain deep insights into the effectiveness, efficiency, and safety implications of current autonomous technologies and processes.
* Develop advanced Maritime Situational Awareness and decision-making tools designed
to empower level 3 MASS, facilitating tasks such as navigation awareness and collision avoidance.
* Extract realistic traffic scenarios to rigorously verify the reliability and trustworthiness of
the developed autonomous tools.
* Formulate a comprehensive strategy for the design, operation, and maintenance of
autonomous vessels, with a focus on identifying current operational challenges and developing solutions to mitigate potential risks.
* Travel to overseas for data collection and case studies.
* Publish results in leading international journals in the maritime or transportation area with
the research team.
* Identify potential sources of funding and contribute to the process of securing funds,
including drafting grant proposals and planning for future proposals.
* Contribute to the planning and implementation of commercial and consultancy activities.
Leadership and management
* Manage research resources and budgets and ensure effective use is made of them.
* Supervise the work of others in research teams or projects.
Teaching and Learning
* Be involved in the assessment of student knowledge and supervision of projects
* Assist in the development of student research skills
Citizenship
* Contribute to a supportive working environment and develop productive working
relationships with other team members.
* Attend and contribute to staff meetings.
* Contribute to wider school/university activities, e.g., open days, student welcome,
graduation and clearing events.
* Act as an ambassador for the University in all interactions with current and prospective
staff and students, visitors to the University, external partners, media and the general public.
* Promote the University's values of an inclusive and diverse community.
Post Specific Duties:
* Any other duties commensurate with the grade as deemed necessary by the line manager.
* A commitment to LJMU's values and regulations and Equality and Diversity Policy.
* Commitment to adhere to and promote the ethos of Respect Always as set out in the
Respect Always Charter.
* Liverpool John Moores University recognises and is aware of its Social, Economic and
Environmental responsibilities, the post holder is required to minimise environmental impact in the performance of the role and actively contribute to the delivery of LJMU's Environmental Policy.
* The post-holder's mandatory Health and Safety responsibilities, which have been agreed
by the University's Strategic Management Team, are contained in Section 2 of the University's Safety Management Code of Practice MCP1 Organisation for the Implementation of the Health and Safety Policy.
* For some of your activities, from time to time, you may be required to contribute to
externally funded projects such as research or EU projects.LJMU are committed to adhering to the principles set out in the Researcher DevelopmentConcordat; in line with this all fixed-term researchers will be supported to complete 10 daysprofessional development activities per year (pro-rata).
Candidates should possess a good honors degree and a PhD (or equivalent professional experience) in a Marine Engineering, Maritime Engineering, or Transportation Engineering relevant field. Experience in hybrid/electric and autonomous ship systems, ship manoeuvring and simulations, and autonomous ship experiments or trials is required. Applicants must demonstrate their research capabilities and ability to disseminate findings through high-quality publications in international journals and refereed conferences. Experience with research projects related to maritime transportation, situation awareness, and collision avoidance is preferred., The person specification describes the skills, experience, knowledge and aptitude requiredto perform the duties of this post effectively. The criteria order listed should not be taken toimply their relative importance. Both paid and unpaid experience may be relevant., Minimum requirements EvidencePhD degree (or equivalent professional experience)) in Marine AEngineering, Maritime Engineering, or TransportationEngineering-related subjectsProduction of research papers in maritime engineering or A, Itransportation (i.e. WoS Q1 journal publications as the leadingauthors)Relevant work experience in hybrid/electric ship systems and A, Iautonomous ship systemsExperience in undertaking individual research work and A, Idisseminating resultsExperience in ship manoeuvring and simulations A, IProgramming languages and programming in open simulation A, Iplatforms (MATLAB/Simulink, Python, C++, etc.)Knowledge of autonomous ship planning and control algorithms A, IAbility to deal with, analyse and interpret complex data of a A, I, Pspecialist or highly technical natureKnowledge of AI, Machine Learning techniques A, I, PAble to work under pressure, learn new skills and adapt to Achallenges quickly.Excellent time management and organisational skills AExcellent interpersonal and communication skills IProficiency in the English language A, IGood teamwork and leadership A, ISelf-manage and motivated IEnthusiastic, dedicated IDesirable Factors EvidenceWork/research experience in Naval Architecture, Ocean and A, IMarine EngineeringPublications in prominent journals in transportation science (e.g. A, ITransportation Research Part A-E, IEEE Transactions onIntelligent Transporation System).Experience in developing computer and web applications A, IExperience in autonomous ship experiments or trials A, IMaritime data mining, knowledge discovery, situation awareness, A, Iand collision avoidance modelling.Experience in research projects relating to maritime Atransportation, collision avoidance, transportation risk analysis orequivalent.Experience of working in EU research projects or equivalent A
Financial benefits: Competitive salaries based on a low contractual 35 hour working week. 17.5% employer contributions to pensions for non-academic staff enrolled into Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS). 26.8% employer contribution to pensions for teaching staff enrolled into the Teachers' Pension Scheme (TPS). Work life balance: Excellent annual leave provision. 30 days for support staff and 35 days for staff and senior managers grade 8 and above. 8 UK bank holidays and up to 5 University closure days between Christmas and New Year. Family friendly policies and a range of benefits to support including job-shares, flexible working hours and part-time roles where possible. Health and wellbeing: Regular wellbeing support initiatives throughout the year. Access to a trained counsellor via Employee Assistance Programme (EAP). Plus a programme of activities and range of support and resources to help look after your mental and physical wellbeing. Career Benefits: Continuous development opportunities to enhance your knowledge and meet your career ambitions, including LinkedIn Learning. Making a difference: LJMU Climate Action - be at the forefront of initiatives to tackle climate change. Share experiences and challenge unfair practices with our Diversity and Inclusion Staff Networks. Opportunity to volunteer at graduation ceremonies, clearing and open days. Discounts and other benefits: A reward and benefits platform, giving savings on day-today purchases across a range of retail outlets. Interest free loans repayable across twelve monthly instalments, including loans for annual travel season tickets and cycle to work scheme. Massively discounted gym and fitness classes at the University Sport Building.