Research Associate in Operations Research for Wildfire Response

About the role

The School of Management seeks to recruit a Research Associate to research the role of operations research in the adoption of algorithmic solutions for wildfire management. This role entails the development of heuristic and metaheuristic algorithms, as well as GIS map integration, for the most effective management and suppression of wildfires. 

You will work in an international team of researchers and be part of the SIREN project that focuses on enhancing disaster management and humanitarian aid logistics for fire, flood, and earthquake scenarios. The project aims to seamlessly integrate Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and an advanced Disaster Management System, including case coordination, resource mapping, and AI support for data analysis. Additionally, the project incorporates a robust communication network support system, providing expanded emergency connectivity coverage and quality of service assurance to disaster effected area.

As a member of Research Staff at the University of Bath, you will be encouraged to take up a minimum of 10 days professional development pro rata per year.

A lower grade offer may be made (Grade 6) with comparable reduction in responsibilities and amendment in job title to Research Assistant, if a suitable applicant cannot be found to fill the Grade 7 position. Applicants will need to be within six months of their course completion date and will be promoted to Research Associate once their PhD has been awarded. 

About you

The ideal candidate should:

• Have (or have submitted) your PhD in Operational Research (or subject area of direct relevance for the project), and have extensive knowledge of exact and metaheuristic algorithms for complex combinatorial problems.
• Have computer programming skills in at least one of these computer programming languages C++/Java/Python.
• Have expertise in GIS software and GIS packages (or willingness to learn GIS packages)
• Have published (or submitted your prior research work) to ABS3, ABS4 or ABS4* journals, and presented their research at prestigious international conferences.

Further Information 

This role is offered on a full-time (36.5 hours per week), fixed term basis with an expected duration of 8 months with an anticipated start date of 01/10/2025. 

If you'd like to have an informal chat about this role before you apply, please contact:

Gunes Erdogan (mb2182@bath.ac.uk) or Prof Maria Battarra (mb2182@bath.ac.uk).

What we can offer you:

We consider ourselves to be a university where difference is celebrated, respected and encouraged. We have an excellent international reputation with staff from over 60 different nations and have made a positive commitment towards gender equality and intersectionality receiving a Silver Athena SWAN award. We truly believe that diversity of experience, perspectives, and backgrounds will lead to a better environment for our employees and students, so we encourage applications from all genders, backgrounds, and communities, particularly from under-represented groups, and value the positive impact that will have on the university. We are committed to maintaining a safe and secure environment for our students, staff, and community by reinforcing our Safer Recruitment commitment.

We are very proud to be an autism friendly university and are an accredited Disability Confident Leader; committed to building disability confidence and supporting disabled staff.

• Free counselling services through Health Assured
• Cycle to work scheme
• Electric vehicle salary sacrifice scheme
• Staff discount at Team Bath gym
• Staff discounts on postgraduate tuition fees
• Staff discount on language courses
• Generous employer contributory pension schemes
• Local discounts & more
• A family-friendly workplace 

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