Research Associate - Fixed Term Contract (CT6745R)

This post represents a rare opportunity for a post-doctoral researcher who has strong expertise and a keen interest in developing and applying a new generation of data analysis tools and models to a compelling real-world research challenge. We are recruiting a Research Associate, on a fixed-term contract for up to 36 months, as part of a large collaborative EPSRC-funded Programme Grant called UK FIRES. The Programme aims to embed Resource Efficiency in UK Industrial Strategy, thereby achieving cuts in industrial carbon emissions at the same time as strengthening the UK construction and manufacturing sectors. It is led by the University of Cambridge, with the universities of Bath, Nottingham, Oxford and Strathclyde, and Imperial College.

The project will initially involve using and developing new data analysis and modelling techniques to create a virtual “Physical Resources Observatory” system. In particular, this will involve working with collaborators in Computer Science at the University of Oxford to apply their expertise in semantic data-integration technologies in this new area. This will help to map diverse data sources (e.g. government statistics and academic research outputs) into a common conceptual structure, but there will remain gaps and conflicts which must be reconciled and interpolated through probabilistic models (or otherwise). By integrating this diverse data in a transparent, coherent way, the project will provide the fundamental information needed in the wider research programme to prioritise changes in industry, motivate innovation in manufacturing processes with the highest potential to reduce losses, and monitor progress towards the goal of reduced industrial carbon emissions globally. The impact of achieving more efficient use of physical resources (such as steel and cement) lies primarily in avoiding the carbon emissions of the processes used to produce them, which account for a third of global energy/process GHG emissions.

The successful candidate will ideally have a PhD in a field broadly related to data science, scientific modelling, or similar relevant experience. They will relish the opportunity to work creatively with a variety of techniques and approaches to data analysis, modelling and visualisation, in the challenge-led environment of the wider research programme, while developing their own research career. Since the programme involves strong collaboration with industrial and academic partners, experience of working effectively in an interdisciplinary environment (e.g. between Computer Science and various branches of Engineering) will be beneficial.

This role is available on a fixed-term contract basis for a full-time 3-year period (flexible working can be considered), and will be based in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Bath. The successful candidate must have been awarded their PhD degree before starting. Interviews are expected to be held on 10 December 2019, with the successful candidate starting as soon as possible thereafter.

For informal enquiries please contact Dr Rick Lupton (+44 1225 386383 or R.C.Lupton@bath.ac.uk), or Professor Marcelle McManus (+44 1225 383877 or mm291@bath.ac.uk).

Closing Date: 24 Nov 2019
Type: Education & Research