Job description

Job summary

We are seeking for a Data Scientist to join the Centre for Environmental Policy a unique interdisciplinary Department in the Faculty of Natural Sciences, conducting policy-focused, fundamental and applied research to solve environmental and sustainability issues.

The role offers a unique opportunity to work across several ongoing research projects providing technical expertise to deliver study design and analysis, novel data capture, processing and utilisation for addressing specific project needs, as well as input to new research proposals and peer-reviewed publications. Current projects include developing data, systems, and algorithms for sustainability and environmental assessments. This work will involve large, unstructured data sets, with the post-holder collaborating closely with Professor Nick Voulvoulis and their colleagues to specify and deploy appropriate high-performance computing and data processing methods, as well as supporting, and training students and colleagues to use cloud computing in data intensive projects.

You will be involved in some of the following research activities:

• Resource Fragility and Vulnerability to Drought Assessments (funded by the Food and Agricultural Organisation of the United Nations)
• The role of manufacturing antibiotics in the emergence of AMR  (funded by the Natural Environment Research Council),
• The risks associated with combined sewer overflows on receiving waters (funded by Anglian Water).
• Sustainability Assessment for Global Hydrogen Production Technologies (funded by UKRI)

The role requires experience of developing and leading data science and quantitative tools for environmental assessments.  It presents a unique opportunity to work in interdisciplinary projects, to identify and address complex research questions, developing end-to-end applications of artificial intelligence and statistical algorithms to address specific project needs. You will participate in vital research that supports the transition to sustainability. You will be expected to contribute to grant applications, develop external research collaborations, and communicate research findings to technical and non-technical audiences, including leading technical reports and peer-reviewed papers.

Duties and responsibilities

You will show technical leadership – initiating, planning, and leading data science research in ongoing projects and research proposals. Develop and deploy novel analytical approaches or applications, in particular using machine learning and deep learning, for developing data, systems, and algorithms for sustainability and environmental assessments. In addition, you will contribute to the writing of research and progress reports, assisting in any other reporting obligations to funding organisations.

Essential requirements

• Research Associate: Hold a PhD (or equivalent) with a substantial amount of computing and data analysis or an environmental related PhD with extensive relevant work experience in computing and data analysis.  


• Research Assistant: Near completion of a substantial amount of computing and data analysis.


• You should have a strong background in in handling and manipulating big data from multiple sources, with proven programming skills.


• Evidence of developing bespoke technical applications and data science analyses, in areas such as machine learning, deep learning, preferably for environmental related applications.


• You should have excellent scientific computing skills including Linux and Windows expertise and the ability to specify and deploy cloud computing solutions.


• You should have demonstrated ability to mentor and train others in data science and coding.


• You should have excellent written communication skills and the ability to write clearly and succinctly for publication.

Further information

This is a full time, fixed term post for up to 8 months, with possibility of further extension. You will be based at the South Kensington Campus.

Candidates who have not yet been officially awarded their PhD will be appointed as a Research Assistant.

Should you require any further details on the role please contact: Professor Nick Voulvoulis - n.voulvoulis@imperial.ac.uk

The College is a proud signatory to the San-Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment (DORA), which means that in hiring and promotion decisions, we evaluate applicants on the quality of their work, not the journal impact factor where it is published. For more information, see https://www.imperial.ac.uk/research-and-innovation/about-imperial-research/research-evaluation/ 

The College believes that the use of animals in research is vital to improve human and animal health and welfare. Animals may only be used in research programmes where their use is shown to be necessary for developing new treatments and making medical advances. Imperial is committed to ensuring that, in cases where this research is deemed essential, all animals in the College’s care are treated with full respect, and that all staff involved with this work show due consideration at every level.  http://www.imperial.ac.uk/research-and-innovation/about-imperial-research/research-integrity/animal-research/

Documents

• Job Description Research Associate.pdf