Research Associate in Transport Modelling & Analysis

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Role: Research Associate in Transport Modelling & Analysis

Grade and Salary: Grade 7, £37,694 - £47,389 per annum

FTE and working pattern: 1FTE, 35hrs per week, Monday – Friday

Contract: Fixed Term, 12 months

Holiday Entitlement: 33 days annual leave plus 9 buildings closed days (and Christmas Eve when it falls on a weekday)

Purpose of Role

We are recruiting a Research Associate with experience in transport, supply chain and logistics modelling to contribute to the development and use of the MILES (Multimodal Integrated Logistics for Simulation) and MATRA (Multi-Agent Transport Resilience and Adaptation) models to support a significant research portfolio that contributes to the goals of the TransiT , DARe  and ACES  projects.

The team at Heriot-Watt maintains a suite of computational logistics and transport models known as MILES and MATRA, with the deployment of these algorithms allowing the team to model future green infrastructure, testing different decarbonisation solutions and analysing the effect on logistics patterns. This allows us to engage with stakeholders in policy and industry to de-risk investment in green initiatives such as battery-electric delivery fleets, as well as providing a virtual environment to test large-scale infrastructure such as in-road charging networks and to assess the vulnerability of such systems to disruption and climate-induced weather events.

The post-holder will work closely with the existing software team to undertake development and analysis using MILES and MATRA and developing its links to other solutions from our multi-institutional project teams, working collaboratively towards impactful outcomes that contribute to the goals of TransiT, DARe and ACES projects.

Key Duties & Responsibilities

• Delivery of novel research to directly address open research questions regarding decarbonisation of transport and infrastructure for future transport systems 
• Conduct and disseminate original research aligned with the project and in collaboration with the multi-institutional, multi-disciplinary team 
• Work closely with senior international stakeholders to deliver a challenge led programme of work 
• Work as part of the broader Centre team to help organize events and/ or support the work of the team as needed 
• Contribute to outreach and impact engagement activities of the project 
• Demonstrate initiative in making routine decisions in order to manage and achieve project deliverables and deadlines 
• Participate in, and develop, networks and collaborations both internally and externally to the Division/School /University 
• Any other duties, commensurate with the grade of the post

Essential & Desirable Criteria

Essential

PhD in relevant discipline (computer modelling of logistics or transport, agent-based modelling, sustainable logistics, or energy transitions) or equivalent industry experience 

Experience of designing, coding and implementing agent-based models (ABMs), using Java or Python based modelling platforms such as Repast Symphony or MASON, with an object-oriented programming (OOP) approach. 

Operational Management and Operational Research. Proven experience in applying operational research techniques to address challenges in logistics, transportation and supply chain.

Evidence of excellent oral and written communication skills 

Evidence of a developing publication record 

Experience or desire to work with those from other disciplines 

Evidence of excellent administrative and project management skills 

Evidence of self-motivation and the ability to work independently and as part of a team. 

Excellent time management skills including the ability to prioritise workload

Desirable

Familiarity with sustainability, decarbonisation and resilience issues in the context of supply chain, transport and/or logistics systems. 

Expertise in Supply Chain Modelling, and/or simulation of complex transportation systems and the impact of different policies and interventions. 

Understanding of digital twinning (DT) approaches and ontologies 

Evidence of success in attracting research grants/external funding and delivering on externally funded research projects 

Evidence or knowledge to support international activities 

Evidence of a basic knowledge of the Higher Education context and regulatory framework

How to Apply

Applications can be submitted up to midnight (UK time) on Monday 13th April 2026.

Please submit your CV & covering letter via the Heriot-Watt on-line recruitment.

We welcome and will consider flexible working patterns e.g., part-time working and job share options.

Heriot-Watt University is committed to securing equality of opportunity in employment and to the creation of an environment in which individuals are selected, trained, promoted, appraised, and otherwise treated on the sole basis of their relevant merits and abilities.  Equality and diversity are all about maximising potential and creating a culture of inclusion for all.

Heriot-Watt University values diversity across our university community and welcomes applications from all sectors of society, particularly from underrepresented groups. For more information, please see our website https://www.hw.ac.uk/uk/services/equality-diversity.htm  and also our award-winning work in Disability Inclusive Science Careers https://disc.hw.ac.uk/  .

Use our total rewards calculator: https://www.hw.ac.uk/about/work/total-rewards-calculator.htm  to see the value of benefits provided by Heriot-Watt University.

About the Team

Heriot-Watt University is leading two national research hubs and participates in several other international research projects. TransiT is the UK’s largest research hub dedicated to rapidly decarbonising transport through digital twinning. TransiT will create a Federated Transport System of Systems (FTSoS), integrating digital twins across road, rail, air, and maritime transport modes. The programme includes a team of more than 30 research associates across 8 universities who will deliver this ambitious research. DARe (National Hub for Decarbonised Adaptable and Resilient Transport Infrastructures) is finding viable pathways and solutions for a transition to a decarbonised and resilient transport system that works for all. The Africa Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Cooling and Cold Chain (ACES), now the Clean Cooling Network (CCN), was established in 2020 to research the development of logistics and cold-chain models with in-country teams, demonstrating the effectiveness of the Heriot-Watt team’s modelling techniques for infrastructure planning. The successful candidate will join a vibrant research community of international researchers committed to transport decarbonisation.

About Heriot-Watt University

At Heriot-Watt we are passionate about our values and look to them to connect our people globally and to help us collaborate and celebrate our success through working together. Our research programmes can deliver real world impact which is achieved through the diversity of our international community and the recognition of creative talent that connects our global team.

Our flourishing community will give you the freedom to challenge and to bring your enterprising mind and to help our partners with solutions that can be applied now and in the future. Join us and Heriot Watt will provide you with a platform to thrive and work in a way that also helps you live your life in balance with well-being and inclusiveness at the heart of our global community.