The Turing’s focus is on area’s of UK national resilience: Defence and National Security, Sustainability and Environment, supported by a mission in Fundamental Research. The Sustainability mission focuses on the safe decarbonisation of transportation networks, manufacturing processes, and critical infrastructure, to create pathways to net-zero. The mission uses the tools of data-centric engineering, pioneered by researchers at the Turing in partnership with Lloyd's Register Foundation, a global safety charity with a mission to engineer a safer world.
The Sustainability Mission is built around the following five strategic ‘pillars’:
Technology development and translation – Accelerate the translation of Turing Sustainability research into real-world impact, with a particular focus on decarbonisation and safety-critical domains.
Standards and regulation – Drive the development of data science and AI standards for safety and sustainability by engaging potential users and regulators.
Skills, training and knowledge exchange – Convene the best talent to contribute to significant upskilling, knowledge and best practice exchange across data science, AI and data-centric engineering, together with a range of national and international partners.
Community building – Further integrate the data-centric engineering and sustainability communities, drawing together industry, academia and policymakers to align AI capabilities to key areas where the greatest reductions in emissions can be made.
Research and innovation – Identify gaps in current industry practices and develop new technology to boost impact.
The Mission has three existing themes of focused engineering activity, in manufacturing, maritime and critical infrastructure, and a fourth, interpretive technologies, which focuses on the interface between engineering and society.
The Spatio-temporal AI for Sustainable Cities will be a new theme, complementary to the mission’s existing themes, which is intended to advance three strands of work: AI for low-carbon transport systems, decarbonisation of cities and future mobility ecosystems. These strands form a distinctive and complementary contribution to the Sustainability mission, addressing the mobility-specific dynamics essential to net-zero transitions.
ROLE PURPOSE
This is a stand-out opportunity for an innovative academic or industrial scientist looking to take a leading national role in this important area, including establishing and strengthening national and international collaborations between the data and engineering and sustainability communities. The role has traditionally been taken on by a diverse range of people from various starting experiences: Research Fellows, Lecturers, Senior Lecturers, Associate Professors, Readers and Professors.
The successful candidate will be expected to liaise closely with the leadership of the Turing and senior external stakeholders. The role will be a central part of the Turing’s Sustainability mission team, supported by the Business Team to create growth in the theme. They will work closely with a wide range of colleagues from across the Turing and externally, meaning they will be expected to move easily between research and industry communities.
HOW YOU WILL MAKE AN IMPACT
The Theme Lead will work closely with the leadership of the Turing and external partners to define the role which is likely to include:
- Develop and oversee the delivery of an ambitious theme on Spatio-temporal AI for Sustainable Cities across major priorities including: 1) Technology development and translation; 2) Standards and regulation; 3) Skills, training, knowledge exchange; 4) Community building; 5) Research and innovation.
- Develop, deliver, and coordinate the strategy for the theme within the wider Sustainability mission, linked to overarching Institute strategy.
- Identify, initiate and nurture industry partnerships, including researchers across the UK and internationally to help deliver compelling outputs, build a community of researchers and practitioners, and improve skills.
- Help leverage resources for nationally significant projects in Sustainability and data-centric-engineering from appropriate sponsors (e.g., government, industry, charities, etc.).
- Deliver change in industry related to Spatio-temporal AI for Sustainable Cities, disseminate findings at industry, academic and practitioner conferences and supervise teams geared towards providing impact in industry.
- Cultivate strong relationships with internal stakeholders, liaising with the Institute’s programme management and other business teams and associated delivery partners across the Institute and its wider network.
- Line management responsibility may be required.
- Assisting the mission leadership team with other mission activities as appropriate
- Developing an emerging data technology and policy community of interest
- Contributing to the academic life of the Institute, e.g. by leading seminars, workshops, etc.
- Liaising with the Institute's other missions and the business team to ensure that the mission is integrated with wider Institute activities and strategy.
ABOUT YOU
- A PhD or equivalent industry research experience in engineering, mathematics, statistics, computer science or in related technical or scientific discipline.
- Excellent publication record in relevant areas in leading international conferences or journals.
- Demonstrated commitment to bridging fundamental and applied research.
- Ability to manage and lead a small team
- Communication and advocacy skills, both verbal and written, with the ability to express ideas and concepts and present compelling and persuasive arguments clearly and coherently to diverse audiences and to engage in public debate
- Record of impact in one or more of the following areas:Spatial Temporal modelling, transport systems and/or sustainable cities
- Strategic vision skills, especially as required in a complex, innovation-intensive collaboration with academic and/or industry partners
- Ability to build and develop effective working relationships with external partner organisations (academia, commercial, public and third sectors), and working with a diverse set of stakeholders.
- Commitment to EDI principles and to the Organisation values
Please see the job description for a full breakdown of the role and person specification.
APPLICATION PROCEDURE
If you are interested in this opportunity, please click the apply button below. You will need to register on the applicant portal and complete the application form including your CV and covering letter.
If you have questions about the role or would like to apply using a different format, please contact us at [email protected].
CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS: THURSDAY 23rd JULY at 23:59 (London, UK, BST)
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
This post is offered part-time at up to 0.4 - 0.6 FTE on a fixed term basis for two years. The annual salary is £78,367 - £81,876 pro rata plus excellent benefits, including flexible working and family friendly policies, https://www.turing.ac.uk/work-turing/why-work-turing/employee-benefits
EQUALITY, DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION
We value diversity of background, experience, and perspective, and are proud to be an inclusive employer. We warmly encourage applications from all backgrounds, particularly from groups currently under-represented in our sector. If you feel passionate about this role but don’t meet every single requirement, please apply – we recognise that great candidates may bring strengths beyond the criteria listed.
We are committed to making sure our recruitment process is accessible and inclusive. This includes making reasonable adjustments for candidates who have a disability or long-term condition. Please contact us at [email protected] to advise us how we can assist you.
Please note all offers of employment are subject to obtaining and retaining the right to work in the UK and satisfactory pre-employment security screening which includes a DBS Check. Full details on the pre-employment screening process can be requested from [email protected].