Research Assistant / Research Associate (Fixed Term)

A position is available at the University of Cambridge in the Computational Modelling Group under the supervision of Prof. Markus Kraft. The successful candidate will join a multi-disciplinary team to develop and test modelling and digital twinning approaches to enable the planning of distributed energy systems. In collaboration with researchers at the Technical University of Munich (TUM) and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), the successful candidate will assess the performance of existing modelling solutions for different components of the overall problem and develop and will work with the team to implement a digital twinning approach that combines them to enable data-driven energy system planning and scenario analysis. 

The digital twinning aspects of the project will leverage knowledge-based technology known as The World Avatar (TWA) pioneered by Prof. Kraft to enable the holistic integration of data and computational models, leveraging increasingly digitalised descriptions of the built environment alongside the ability to investigate the consequences of complex what-if questions. The vision is to move beyond one-time workflows that process fixed sets of data, and beyond approaches that make assumptions to address a lack of data. Rather, the envisaged approach would enable the comprehensive dynamic evaluation of urban energy systems, adapting to new data as it becomes available and supporting the planning of future energy systems. Further information is available at https://como.ceb.cam.ac.uk/research/twa/

Appointment at Research Associate level is dependent on having a PhD; those without a PhD will be appointed at Research Assistant level. Those who have submitted but not yet received their PhD will be appointed at Research Assistant level, which will be amended to Research Associate once the PhD has been awarded.

Applicants must have:

• A Master's or PhD degree or equivalent experience in a relevant science or engineering discipline (essential).
• Excellent oral and written communication skills (essential).
• An interdisciplinary and collaborative research approach (essential).
• The ability to work as part of a dynamic, multidisciplinary team (essential).
• A developing bibliography of publications in a relevant research area (desirable).
• Experience with energy system modelling (desirable).
• Experience working with data describing the built environment (desirable).
• Experience in software engineering using Java, Python or other programming languages (desirable).

Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available for 9 months in the first instance.

Further information about the Computational Modelling Group can be found at https://como.ceb.cam.ac.uk.

We welcome applications from individuals who wish to be considered for part-time working or other flexible working arrangements.

To apply online for this vacancy and to view further information about the role, please click 'Apply' above.

Informal enquiries are welcomed and should be directed to Mrs Alessandra Uomo, HR Administrator, at hr@ceb.cam.ac.uk.

Closing date for applications is 30th November 2024.

Please quote reference NQ43821 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.

The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.

The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.

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