Description
Research Associate – Economics for Transport Decarbonisation
Grade and Salary: Grade 7, (£37,174 - £46,735)
FTE and working pattern: Full time, Fixed term contract to June 2029
The Post
TransiT is the UK’s largest research hub dedicated to rapidly decarbonising transport through digital twinning. Led by Heriot-Watt University and the University of Glasgow, this £46 million initiative unites 8 universities and 67 industry partners to address transport decarbonisation. TransiT will create a Federated Transport System of Systems (FTSoS), integrating digital twins across road, rail, air, and maritime transport modes. By leveraging real-time data and advanced modelling, in collaboration with industry and all research partners, TransiT will identify the most cost-effective, energy-efficient pathways to net-zero emissions for policy-makers and industry actors, while ensuring accessibility and resilience for all stakeholders involved. The programme includes a team of 27 research associates across 8 universities who will deliver this ambitious research.
The appointed Research Associate will contribute to the development and implementation of quantitative economic models aimed at assessing the feasibility and impact of decarbonisation strategies in the UK transport sector. The candidate will work closely with interdisciplinary teams to embed economic evaluation within digital twin architectures, enabling dynamic scenario simulations of alternative policy interventions. Key responsibilities include assessing behavioural responses to policy incentives and incorporating externalities such as carbon emissions and congestion. The role also involves the analysis of micro- and macro-level datasets, including transport demand data, firm-level adoption costs, and public sector policies, to inform the calibration and validation of models. This position requires a strong background in applied economics and proficiency in computational modelling and simulation (e.g. in Stata, Python, R, or MATLAB), as well as familiarity with policy evaluation techniques including welfare analysis and counterfactual impact assessment.
TransiT PDRAs work in a collaborative research hub in our Edinburgh campus, and are expected to use that as their main place of work for at least 3 days a week. The hub is a productive workspace to facilitate inter-disciplinary collaboration.
Key Responsibilities:
* Develop and apply economic models to assess the impact of decarbonisation strategies on the UK transport sector.
* Analyse data to evaluate the cost-effectiveness and economic risks associated with different transport decarbonisation pathways.
* Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams, including engineers, data scientists, and policy experts, to integrate economic perspectives into system-wide analyses.
* Contribute to the development of policy recommendations and business models that support sustainable transport initiatives.
* Engage with stakeholders, including government agencies and industry partners, to disseminate research findings and inform decision-making processes.
Description of Duties
* Conduct and disseminate original research aligned with the project and in collaboration with the multi-institutional, multi-disciplinary team
* Work closely with senior decision makers in the industry to enable a programme of work and the measurement of this
* Work as part of the broader TransiT consortium 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 Criteria
Qualifications
* PhD in Economics or related fields (or close to successful completion)
Knowledge, Skills & Experience
* Strong background in economic modelling, cost-benefit analysis, and policy evaluation
* Experience or desire to work with colleagues from other disciplines
* Proficiency in statistical software (e.g., Stata, R, Python) and data analysis tools
* Evidence of self-motivation and the ability to work independently and as part of a team.
* Excellent communication skills, with the ability to present complex information to diverse audiences, and to listen to and respond effectively to constructive criticism
* Excellent time management skills including the ability to prioritise workload
Desirable Criteria
Knowledge, Skills & Experience
* Evidence of success in delivering on externally funded research projects and potentially attracting research grants/external funding
* Understanding of key challenges of transport decarbonisation (any modes)
* Evidence of a developing publication record
* Experience of working in a multi-cultural, multi-disciplinary work environment.
How to Apply
Applications can be submitted up to midnight(UK time)on Thursday 14 August 2025.
Pleasesubmit your CV 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-WattUniversity 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-WattUniversity values diversity across our university community and welcomes applications from all sectors of society, particularly from underrepresented groups. For more information, please see our websitehttps://www.hw.ac.uk/uk/services/equality-diversity.htmand also our award-winning work in Disability Inclusive Science Careershttps://disc.hw.ac.uk/.
Use our total rewards calculator:https://www.hw.ac.uk/about/work/total-rewards-calculator.htmto see the value of benefits provided by Heriot-Watt University.
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.
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