Research Associate in Agent-Based Modelling for Transport Decarbonisation

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)

About the Project

TransiT is the UK’s largest research hub dedicated to rapidly decarbonising transport through digital twinning. Led by Heriot-Watt University and the University of Glasgow, this £46 million initiative unites 8 universities and 67 industry partners to address transport decarbonisation. TransiT will create a Federated Transport System of Systems (FTSoS), integrating digital twins across road, rail, air, and maritime transport modes. By leveraging real-time data and advanced modelling, in collaboration with industry and all research partners, TransiT will identify the most cost-effective, energy-efficient pathways to net-zero emissions for policymakers and industry actors, while ensuring accessibility and resilience for all stakeholders involved. The programme includes a team of 27 research associates across 8 universities who will deliver this ambitious research. 

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

Essential & Desirable Criteria

Essential

1. PhD in relevant discipline (computer modelling of supply chains/logistics, agent-based modelling, sustainable logistics or operational research)
2. Evidence of research ability: the ability to proactively find solutions and develop approaches to complex problems, regularly presenting findings and issues to your peers for appraisal
3. Evidence of agent-based modelling capabilities using Java based platforms (e.g. MATSIM, Repast, Mason, etc.)
4. Experience of writing software code in an object-oriented programming language
5. Evidence of self-motivation and the ability to work independently and as part of a team.
6. Good data analytical skills/capability
7. Experience or desire to work with those from other disciplines
8. Evidence of excellent administrative and project management skills
9. Evidence of excellent oral and written communication skills
10. Excellent time management skills including the ability to prioritise workload
11. Evidence of ability to present work effectively in person, e.g., in a team, or in a wider network.

Desirable

1. Experience of applying modelling, simulation and optimisation approaches within a transport context. 
2. Experience of using the Java programming language
3. Experience of the full software development life cycle, particularly requirements capture
4. Understanding of key challenges of transport decarbonisation (any modes)
5. Evidence of a developing publication record
6. Evidence of success in delivering on externally funded research projects and potentially attracting research grants/external funding 
7. Experience of work environment: Experience of working in a multi-cultural, multi-disciplinary work environment.
8. Evidence of a basic knowledge of the Higher Education context and regulatory framework

How to Apply

Applications can be submitted up to midnight (UK time) on Sunday 30th March 2025.

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.