Research Associate in Urban Environmental Data Analytics
Posted 11 August 2025. Salary Grade 7: £41,064 - £46,049 per annum. Location: Glasgow. Job Type: Research and Teaching. Reference: 178672. Expiry: 15 September 2025 at 23:45.
Overview
To make a leading contribution to the NERC GALLANT (Glasgow as a Living Lab Accelerating Novel Transformation) project working with Profs Claire Miller and Marian Scott in the School of Mathematics and Statistics, and the Data and Data Analytics work stream (WS3) of GALLANT.
Role
GALLANT is using Glasgow as a living lab to trial new sustainable solutions throughout the city. Working in this large, multi-disciplinary team, you will play a leading role in the development of analytical pipelines (AI and statistical) to analyse GALLANT data outputs and related environmental urban data. Specifically, this role will:
- Investigate and develop approaches to retrieve and analyse traditional (spatial) and new forms of data (unstructured), for example from social media (images and text) and citizen science data linked to the environmental themes of GALLANT.
- Work closely with GALLANT team members and partners to support the development of data analytics and visualisations for use by GALLANT stakeholders and enhance the GALLANT datahub.
The job requires expertise in AI/statistical/data analytics research methods, familiarity with the use of traditional and new forms of data, and an interest in environmental urban research. Experience in image analysis and natural language processing and in the use of geospatial software packages would be beneficial.
The post provides an outstanding opportunity to develop your research career as part of a major partnership of researchers and city stakeholders (including Glasgow City Council). You will contribute to the formulation and submission of research publications and research proposals as well as help manage and direct this complex and challenging project as opportunities allow. We will provide structured mentoring and support for career development to build your research skills and experience, and you will benefit from formal and informal interactions with a diverse group of researchers at all career stages.
Main Duties And Responsibilities
- Take a leading role in the planning and conduct of assigned research individually or jointly in accordance with the GALLANT deliverables and GALLANT/group/School/College research strategy.
- Document research output including analysis and interpretation of all data, maintaining records and databases, drafting technical/progress reports and papers as appropriate.
- Establish and maintain your research profile and reputation and that of the University of Glasgow/School/GALLANT, including establishing and sustaining a track record of independent and joint publications of international quality, enhancing the research impact in terms of economic/societal benefit, and gathering indicators of esteem.
- Survey the research literature and environment, understand the research challenges associated with GALLANT & AI/data science/data analytics, and develop/implement a suitable research strategy to deliver project/area requirements and opportunities.
- Presentation of work at international and national conferences, at internal and external seminars, colloquia and workshops to develop and enhance our research and/or impact profile.
- Take a leading role in the identification of potential funding sources and to assist in the development of proposals to secure funding from internal and external bodies to support future research and impact.
- Take a leading role in developing and maintaining collaborations with colleagues across the GALLANT project/School/College/University and wider community (e.g. academic and industrial partners).
- Take a leading role in GALLANT team/group meetings/seminars/workshops and School research group/area activities to enhance the wider knowledge, outputs and culture of the School/College.
- Take the lead in the organisation, supervision, mentoring and training of undergraduate and/or postgraduate students and less experienced members of the project team to ensure their effective development.
- Perform administrative tasks related to the activities of the research group and School, including budgets/expenditure.
- Contribute as appropriate to teaching activities (e.g. demonstrating, etc) and associated administration, as may be assigned through the School in consultation with your line manager.
- Keep up to date with current knowledge and recent advances in the field/discipline.
- Engage in personal, professional and career development, to enhance both specialist and transferable skills in accordance with desired career trajectory.
- Undertake any other reasonable duties as required by your line manager and the Head of School.
- Contribute to the enhancement of the University’s international profile in line with University strategy.
Knowledge, Qualifications, Skills And Experience
Essential
- A1 Normally Scottish Credit and Qualification Framework level 12 (PhD) plus track record of emerging independence within a research/professional environment, or alternatively possess professional qualifications and experience equivalent to PhD level plus the requisite experience.
- A2 A comprehensive and up-to-date knowledge of current issues and future directions within the relevant research disciplines as outlined in the Job Purpose e.g. AI/statistical/data analytics research methods.
- A3 Well-developed working knowledge of research methods, technical models, equipment and techniques relevant to the project/discipline as outlined in the Job Purpose and advanced programming skills e.g. R/Python/Matlab.
Skills
- C1 Ability to communicate material of a specialist or highly technical nature and to be effective both orally and in writing at a level appropriate to the activity.
- C2 Effective organisation skills to manage time, prioritise and deliver appropriate research, teaching and administrative responsibilities.
Experience
- E1 Experience of planning and progressing work activities within professional guidelines or organisational policy, applying initiative and independent judgement.
- E2 Developing track record of research outputs compatible with enhancing the School’s research profile in accordance with School objectives.
- E3 Experience of making distinct contributions to identifying and pursuing research funding (or equivalent business development) applications.
- E4 Proven commitment to supporting the career development of colleagues and to other forms of collegiality appropriate to the career stage, including some experience of research project supervision.
- E5 Commitment to open research, as appropriate to the discipline, through open data, open code, open educational resources and practices that support replication.
Desirable
- F1 Experience of participating in activities that translate research into impact to benefit the economy and wider society.
- F2 Experience of contributing to the design and delivery of teaching and assessment in higher education or other relevant environments.
Closing date
Closing date: 15 September 2025
Terms and Conditions
Salary will be Grade 7, £41,064 - £46,049 per annum.
This post is full time, and has funding for up to 15 months, with the possibility of being extended by a further 6 months.
The University of Glasgow has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK. If you require a Skilled Worker visa to work in the UK, you will be required to meet the eligibility requirements of the visa route to be assigned a Certificate of Sponsorship.
Please note that this post may be eligible to be sponsored under the Skilled Worker visa route if tradeable points can be used under the Skilled Worker visa rules. For more information please visit: https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa.
As a valued member of our team, you can expect:
- A warm welcoming and engaging organisational culture, where your talents are developed and nurtured, and success is celebrated and shared.
- An excellent employment package with generous terms and conditions including 41 days of leave for full time staff, pension - pensions handbook https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/payandpensions/pensions/, benefits and discount packages.
- A flexible approach to working.
- A commitment to support your health and wellbeing, including a free 6-month UofG Sport membership for all new staff joining the University https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/staff/healthwellbeing/.
Equality and Diversity: Equality, diversity and inclusion are at the heart of our values. Applications are welcome from across our communities and particularly people from the Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) communities, and other protected characteristics who are under-represented within the University. Read more on how the University promotes and embeds all aspects of equality and diversity within our community.
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