Job Description and Person
Specification
Last updated:
3 May 2017
JOB DESCRIPTION
Post title:
Research Fellow
Academic Unit/Service:
Social Sciences
Faculty:
Social, Human and Mathematical Sciences
Career Pathway:
Education, Research and Enterprise (ERE)
*ERE category:
Research pathway
Posts responsible to:
Principal Investigator
Posts responsible for:
N/A
Post base:
Office-based
Level:
4
Job purpose
To undertake research within the European Research Council-funded research project Bayesian Agent-based
Population Studies (BAPS): Transforming Simulation Models of Human Migration, under the supervision of
the
award holder
Key accountabilities/primary responsibilities
% Time
1.
Develop an agent-based model of migration within the broader framework of statistical
30 %
experimental design, including programming first in a generic statistical software
package, and later in a domain-specific language for demographic agent-based modelling
2.
Analyse data and model outputs, and document the results of the analysis
25 %
3.
Review, collect, organise and document the available literature sources, data, and other
types of information to be used in the agent-based models of migration
15 %
4.
Take lead on, and assist in the writing of reports, journal articles and policy briefings.
10 %
5.
Develop and maintain an Internet database containing selected project outputs
5%
6.
Organise and contribute to biannual project gatherings and other events, including a
project workshop and final conference
5%
7.
Organise and help deliver a methodological PhD-level course in the last phase of the project5 %
Key accountabilities/primary responsibilities
8.
Take lead on, and assist in the writing and delivery of presentations for conferences, and
workshops involving the academic, policy and user communities
% Time
5%
Internal and external relationships
The post holder will have direct responsibility to the principal investigator (Dr Jakub Bijak), and may also
have additional reporting and liaison responsibilities to the research funder (European Research Council).
Within the project, the post holder will work closely with the rest of the team: with Prof. Peter W F Smith
(Social Sciences) and Prof. Jonathan J Forster (Maths), especially on the statistical aspects of the work; and
also with Dr Philip Higham (Psychology) and Prof. Adelinde Uhrmacher (Computer Science, University of
Rostock, Germany) as well as the two other research fellows on this project.
Working relationships and information exchange with the Centre for Population Change, with the hub at the
University of Southampton, as well as with other external stakeholders are also envisaged.
Special Requirements
This position requires willingness to travel for attending international and national meetings, seminars and
conferences, for the purpose of public engagement and disseminating research results
Applications for Research Fellow positions will be considered from candidates who are working towards or
nearing completion of a relevant PhD qualification. The title of Research Fellow will be applied upon
successful completion of the PhD. Prior to the qualification being awarded the title of Senior Research
Assistant will be given.
Document1ERE Level 4 – Research Pathway – Research Fellow
2
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Criteria
Essential
Desirable
Qualifications,
knowledge and
experience
PhD, or close to completion (or
equivalent professional
qualifications) with strong statistical
or mathematical component in a
relevant discipline (e.g., statistics,
demography, economics,
mathematics or computer science)
Research experience in modelling
population or social data
Detailed understanding and
knowledge of Bayesian statistics
Experience of designing,
implementing and analysing
computational models of social
processes, such as agent-based
models or microsimulations
Experience of statistical or
computational modelling of
demographic or other social
processes
How to be
assessed
Application
Interview
Knowledge of methods of statistical
design of experiments
Experience of fitting models using
Bayesian methods
Proficiency in the use of R, S-Plus or
other equivalent statistical software
Planning and
organising
Ability to organise own research
activities to deadline and quality
standards
Application
Interview
References
Problem solving
and initiative
Ability to develop understanding of
complex problems and apply indepth knowledge to address them
Ability to develop original
techniques and methods of analysis
Management
and teamwork
Communicating
and influencing
Application
Interview
References
Ability to work effectively in a team,
understanding the strengths and
weaknesses of others to help
teamwork development
Application
Ability to present research results at Ability to communicate new and
group meetings and conferences
complex information effectively,
both verbally and in writing,
Ability to write up research results
engaging the interest and
for publication in leading peerenthusiasm of the target audience
viewed journals
Application
Interview
References
Interview
References
Experience with working proactively
with colleagues in other work areas
/ institutions, contributing specialist
knowledge to achieve outcomes
Other skills and
behaviours
Understanding of relevant Health
and Safety issues
Interview
References
Positive attitude to colleagues and
students
Interest in addressing contemporary
demographic challenges
Special
requirements
Willingness to travel to attend
meetings, as well as international
and national conferences and
seminars to present research results
Document1ERE Level 4 – Research Pathway – Research Fellow
Interview
3
Document1ERE Level 4 – Research Pathway – Research Fellow
4
JOB HAZARD ANALYSIS
Is this an office-based post?
☒ Yes
If this post is an office-based job with routine office hazards (eg: use of VDU), no further
information needs to be supplied. Do not complete the section below.
☐ No
If this post is not office-based or has some hazards other than routine office (eg: more than use
of VDU) please complete the analysis below.
Hiring managers are asked to complete this section as accurately as possible to ensure the safety
of the post-holder.
## - HR will send a full PEHQ to all applicants for this position. Please note, if full health clearance is required
for a role, this will apply to all individuals, including existing members of staff.
ENVIRONMENTAL EXPOSURES
Occasionall
y
(<30% of
time)
Frequently
Constantly
(30-60% of
time)
(> 60% of
time)
Outside work
Extremes of temperature (eg: fridge/ furnace)
## Potential for exposure to body fluids
## Noise (greater than 80 dba - 8 hrs twa)
## Exposure to hazardous substances (eg: solvents, liquids,
dust, fumes, biohazards). Specify below:
Frequent hand washing
Ionising radiation
EQUIPMENT/TOOLS/MACHINES USED
## Food handling
## Driving university vehicles(eg: car/van/LGV/PCV)
## Use of latex gloves (prohibited unless specific clinical
necessity)
## Vibrating tools (eg: strimmers, hammer drill, lawnmowers)
PHYSICAL ABILITIES
Load manual handling
Repetitive crouching/kneeling/stooping
Repetitive pulling/pushing
Repetitive lifting
Standing for prolonged periods
Repetitive climbing (ie: steps, stools, ladders, stairs)
Fine motor grips (eg: pipetting)
Gross motor grips
Repetitive reaching below shoulder height
Repetitive reaching at shoulder height
Repetitive reaching above shoulder height
PSYCHOSOCIAL ISSUES
Face to face contact with public
X
Lone working
## Shift work/night work/on call duties
Document1ERE Level 4 – Research Pathway – Research Fellow
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