RESEARCH ASSOCIATE – GUARD PROJECT

The goal of the GUARD(Global Urban Analytics for Resilient Defence) project is to establish a new modeling framework for conflict prediction across multiple spatial and temporal scales. Funded under the Defence & Securities programme at the Alan Turing Institute, the project will focus on new data science methods for urban analytics. The idea is to multiplex spatial interaction modeling of threat with network science modeling of community boundaries. The project will work closely with the Defence & Security community in the United Kingdom. A concrete outcome of the GUARD project will be a new approach to understanding the causal mechanisms that lead to (i) major global escalations, (ii) conflicts without end, and (iii) escalation of threat.

In addition to the defence& securities partner, there are several research groups working in this area at the investigators’ universities (Warwick and UCL), as well as special interest groups in urban analytics, network modeling, and spatial interaction at the Alan Turing Institute.

THE ALAN TURING INSTITUTE

The Alan Turing Institute (the Turing) is the national centre for data science, established in 2015 with the mission to make great leaps in transformational data science research that will have positive real-world impacts.

The Institute has cross-disciplinarity at its core; we bring researchers in mathematics and theoretical computer science, statistics and machine learning, algorithm for data analytics and distributed computing, computational social science and data ethics, and industry partners, to work together in an open and collaborative environment with a shared goal to generate world-class research in data science.

Our researchers are motivated by driving impact, both through theoretical development and application to real-world problems. In our first year we have identified six priority sectors to focus our translational research:Data-Centric Engineering; Defence and Security; Smart Cities; Culture and Media; Financial Services; and Health and Wellbeing.

We have attracted strategic partnerships with a broad range of users of data science including the Lloyd’s Register Foundation, Intel, GCHQ and HSBC. We are looking to develop partnerships with government departments and have recently announced a collaboration with the Office of National Statistics.

We invite you to join us as we grow our research community, supporting our goal to develop the next generation of data science leaders, shape the public conversation, and push the boundaries of this new science for the public good.

THE ROLE

The Research Associate (RA) will lead the implementation/development of interaction and network based mathematical algorithms for conflict prediction. The essential underlying framework combines: differential equations, multi-objective optimisation, and network science. The associate is expected to work with the primary investigators: Dr. Weisi Guo and Sir Alan Wilson, as well as key stakeholder partners in defence & securities.

The position is for 2 years and is suitable to candidates who have completed a PhD degree in a relevant field, such as mathematics, applied physics, statistics, and computer science (network science). Experience in a geographical information system data wrangling and visualisation will also be desirable.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

The RA will work with the GUARD team (including the defence & securities program director, the investigators, software engineers, data scientists and PhD students) to advance the aims of the project.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Essential:

  • A PhD (or equivalent experience and/or qualifications) in mathematics, computer science or a related field with network science background.
  • An established publication track record in network science conferences and/or journals
  • Significant programming experience in a network science programming language such as Python, C/C++, or R.
  • Good understanding of differential equations, network science, and multi-objective optimisation.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills including the ability to present complex or technical information.
  • Understanding of data wrangling and storage methodologies, such as documentation, secure cloud storage, version control, and continuous integration.
  • Ability to lead one’s own work, including planning and execution, and to prioritize work to meet deliverable and publication deadlines

Desirable:

  • Familiarity with geo-visualization, urban modeling, and conflict modeling.
  • Flexible to travel and work in different environments (may spend some off-site time at University of Warwick and sites at our defence & security partners).

APPLICATION PROCEDURE

If you are interested in this opportunity, please send your CV, with contact details for your referees and a covering letter to . If you have questions or would like to discuss the role further with a member of the Institute’s HR Team, please contact them on 0203 862 3322 or email .

CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS:XXXX 2017

Diversity and equality are promoted in all aspects of the recruitment and career management of our researchers. In keeping with the principles of the Institute, we especially encourage applications from female researchers.

Please note all offers of employment are subject tocontinuous eligibility to work in the UKand satisfactorypre-employmentsecurity screening which includes a DBS Check.

Full details on the pre-employment screening process can be requested from .