Research Associate/Research Fellow in Agent Based Modelling for Transport Decarbonisation and Sustainable Cold-Chain

We have 2 opportunities available 

Detailed Description

The Research Associate positions offer the successful candidates an outstanding opportunity to develop their research career, by engaging with a close-knit international community of researchers on a range of well-funded research projects. 

The successful candidates will report directly to the Principal Investigator of the projects, Prof. Phil Greening, who is also the Director of Heriot-Watt University’s Centre for Logistics & Sustainability (CLS). Each RA will be responsible for leading the agent-based modelling activity in a project, working closely with other modellers in the team The RAs will be important members of the logistics modelling team and are expected to integrate this research into the broader logistics research carried out by the CLS. Agent-based modelling of the freight and logistics system is the central integrating element of the CSRF's five-year research programme. 

The Centre for Logistics and Sustainability has a research portfolio worth £3.5M running through to 2027 and anticipates its further growth over the next few years. The following projects are examples of the work already approved:

• African Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Cooling and Cold-Chain

The Africa Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Cooling and Cold Chain (ACES) was established in 2020 by the Governments of Rwanda and the United Kingdom, the United Nations Environment Programme’s United for Efficiency initiative. ACES will undertake research across eight key thematic pillars.  Researchers from the Centre for Sustainability & Logistics at Heriot-Watt University will contribute towards capacity-strengthening in logistics and modelling. This will involve the development of logistics and cold-chain models with in-country teams, demonstrating the effectiveness of modelling techniques for infrastructure planning.

• Zero-Emission Cold Chain: Building the road to Sustainable Cold Chains for Food Resilience

This academic and industry collaboration will develop a coordinated strategy to accelerate the transition to resilient, decarbonised food cold-chain (chilled and frozen) in the UK. Our aim is to develop and deliver a clear industry-led pathway to achieve the UK’s net zero 2050 target whilst maintaining food security and affordability for UK consumers and economic opportunity for the UK food industry. This will be the first detailed road map that will enable the food cold chain industry to identify opportunities to reduce emissions.

Education, Qualifications and Experience 

The successful candidate should have a PHD in a related subject (computer modelling of supply chains/logistics, agent-based modelling, sustainable logistics, or energy transitions) .

How to Apply 

Applications can be submitted up to midnight on the 23rd of October 2023. 

In the online application process you should upload both a CV and a Cover Letter. 

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/ .

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