Research Fellow (EPSRC Funded CLEETS Project)

Salary: Full time starting salary is normally in the range £36,636 to £46,049, with potential progression once in post to £48,822.

The Global Centre for Clean Energy and Equitable Transportation Solutions (CLEETS) is seeking a highly motivated researcher with a background in transport modelling and data analysis to join a successful and growing research team at the University of Birmingham.

CLEETS is an international collaboration between leading universities in the UK and the USA, aimed at enabling a sustainable and equitable transition in energy and transport systems (see: https://www.cleets-global-center.org/). In the UK, the research is funded by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI). Within CLEETS, Dr Dilum Dissanayake leads the Travel Demand Management and Clean Energy and Connected Vehicle (CECV) Adoption task.

The successful candidate will join a multidisciplinary research team based at the University of Birmingham and will work closely with collaborators at Cardiff University and partner institutions in the USA. The primary aim of this role is to advance understanding of the societal impacts of transport decarbonisation strategies and energy system transitions in urban regions in both the United States (Great Lakes) and the United Kingdom (South Wales and the West Midlands).

The postholder will undertake travel demand analysis using attitudinal and stated preference data collected by the CLEETS team, with a focus on examining transport users’ awareness of environmental impacts and how this influences their adoption of sustainable travel choices. The role will also involve close engagement with a wide range of stakeholders to understand policy priorities at both regional and national levels.

The position requires a candidate with strong analytical capability and demonstrated expertise in transport planning, with experience in quantitative, qualitative, or mixed‑methods research and the ability to work effectively across disciplines. Applicants may come from backgrounds in engineering, social sciences, behavioural sciences, or transport economics, provided they possess relevant analytical skills, particularly in discrete choice modelling and advanced statistical techniques, and have experience using appropriate software such as Apollo (R) and Biogeme (Python). Expertise in geospatial data analysis and visualisation, as well as machine learning methods, would be considered advantageous.

Candidates should have a PhD in an area related to travel behaviour modelling. The ideal candidate will be a skilled communicator able to effectively disseminate complex information for academic and policy audiences. They will also be able to coordinate their work with others to engage with relevant expertise across the project’s wider research networks. The role will offer opportunities to contribute to PhD supervision and to participate in teaching activities, supporting the development of experience across a broader academic portfolio.

This is a full-time post, commencing in October 2026, for a duration of 20–24 months, depending on the salary scale.

Informal enquiries can be made to Dr Dilum Dissanayake (d.dissanayake@bham.ac.uk)

To download the full job description and details of this position and submit an electronic application online please click on the 'Apply' button above.

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We value diversity and inclusion at the University of Birmingham and welcome applications from all sections of the community and are open to discussions around all forms of flexible working.

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