Postdoctoral Researcher/Research Fellow – Civil Engineering and Computer Science

Insight SFI Research Centre, Data Science Institute

Ref. No. University of Galway 239-23

Applications are invited from suitably qualified candidates for a full-time fixed term position as a Postdoctoral Researcher or Research Fellow with the Insight Centre, located within the Data Science Institute, University of Galway, Ireland.

This position is funded by Science Foundation Ireland and Ward & Burke Construction Ltd and is available from 22 September 2023 for 2 years.

The Insight SFI Research Centre for Data Analytics is one of the largest data analytics centres in Europe. It undertakes high-impact research, seeks to derive value from Big Data and provides innovative technology solutions for industry and society by enabling better decision-making.  Insight is one of the largest data analytics centres in Europe. It undertakes high-impact research, seeks to derive value from Big Data and provides innovative technology solutions for industry and society by enabling better decision-making. See https://www.insight-centre.org/.

At the Data Science Institute (DSI), we research technologies at the convergence of Computer Science, Web Science and Artificial Intelligence to build a fundamental understanding of how information and knowledge are increasingly driving society through digital processes, and of the tools, techniques and principles supporting a data-enhanced world. See https://www.universityofgalway.ie/dsi.

Job Description:

The successful candidate will be part of a project team with substantial expertise and ongoing research in this area: 2 PIs and 1 PhD student in the University of Galway, and collaborators in Ward & Burke Construction Ltd and in University of Cambridge, UK.

The research programme will be in Machine Learning (ML) for Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) Operation and will include literature review, coding of simulations and experiments, visiting WWTP locations, installing data-gathering equipment onsite and collecting data from it (in collaboration with Ward & Burke Construction Ltd. employees onsite), publication and dissemination.

The research programme includes collecting data from WWTPs, including time on-site at some WWTPs and in interaction with Ward & Burke Construction Ltd; using statistical ML such as regression modelling and Bayesian ML to deal with missing and anomalous data; developing ML models for fault detection and diagnosis and predictive maintenance of WWTPs and for real-time control of WWTPs.

Depending on the candidate’s experience they may be hired at Postdoctoral Fellow or Research Fellow level with differing duties as follows.

Duties (if hired at the Post-doctoral Researcher level):

• Review existing research;
• Contribute to specifying project methodologies in ML for WWTP Operation;
• Participate in regular meetings and discussion with the project team (in-person and online meetings; via email and other online channels);
• Visit Ward & Burke Construction Ltd. WWTPs to gain understanding of their operation, install data-gathering equipment, and gather data;
• Develop machine learning models according to the project goals;
• Publish in international conferences and journals;
• Develop and deliver continuous professional development classes for Ward & Burke Construction Ltd.;
• Engage in wider research and scholarly activities of the research group, including journal clubs, reviewing, mentoring junior researchers;
• Engage in training and professional development appropriate to the candidate’s level and background, such as research ethics training, technical training;
• Contribute to proposals for new funding.
• Any other duties assigned commensurate to this level of post

Duties (if hired at the Research Fellow level):

• Lead the project team;
• Review existing research;
• Define a specific programme of research in ML for WWTP Operation (in collaboration with PIs and Ward & Burke Construction Ltd.);
• Manage the research programme, including administrative work, tracking deliverables, quality assurance;
• Ensure the project adheres to law and policy with respect to research ethics, intellectual property, data protection, health and safety, equal opportunities, etc.;
• Lead and participate in regular meetings and discussion with the project team (in-person and online meetings; via email and other online channels);
• Visit Ward & Burke Construction Ltd. WWTPs to gain understanding of their operation, install data-gathering equipment, and gather data;
• Develop machine learning models according to the project goals;
• Publish in international conferences and journals;
• Develop and deliver continuous professional development classes for Ward & Burke Construction Ltd.;
• Engage in wider research and scholarly activities of the research group, including journal clubs, reviewing;
• Act as line manager for junior researchers;
• Engage in training and professional development appropriate to the candidate’s level and background, such as research ethics training, technical training;
• Develop proposals for new funding and contribute to policy and funding of the University, School of Engineering, School of Computer Science, Data Science Institute, and Insight.
• Any other duties assigned commensurate to this level of post

Qualifications/Skills required:

Essential Requirements:

• PhD in Computer Science, Civil Engineering, or cognate discipline
• Lead author on multiple international research publications
• Expertise in statistical machine learning
• Excellent communication skills, oral and in writing.

Desirable Requirements:

• Wider experience in machine learning, including Bayesian ML, reinforcement learning
• Knowledge of civil engineering
• Knowledge of maintenance scheduling
• Experience of academic-industry research collaboration.
• Experience in academic and/or industrial research at the post-doctoral or equivalent level.

If hired at the Research Fellow level, requirements additionally include:

• Substantial experience in academic and/or industrial research at post-doctoral or equivalent level (6+ years research experience), including sufficient depth in ML and/or WWTP to develop the research programme;
• Demonstrable knowledge of relevant policy and law, such as research ethics, intellectual property, data protection, health and safety, equal opportunities, etc.;
• Experience in mentoring junior colleagues and/or leading research teams;
• Strong track record of securing external funding including own salary;

Salary:  Postdoctoral Researcher salary scale €42,032 – €54,153 per annum; Research Fellow salary scale €60,412 – €78,863 per annum, (subject to the project’s funding limitations), and pro rata for shorter and/or part-time contracts.

The default position for all new public sector appointments is the 1st point of the salary scale. This may be reviewed, and consideration afforded to appointment at a higher point on the payscale, (subject to the project’s funding limitations), where evidence of prior years’ equivalent experience is accepted in determining placement on the scale above point 1, subject to the maximum of the scale.

Research Salary Scales – University of Galway).

Start date: Position is available immediately.

Continuing Professional Development/Training:

Researchers at University of Galway are encouraged to avail of a range of training and development opportunities designed to support their personal career development plans. University of Galway provides continuing professional development supports for all researchers seeking to build their own career pathways either within or beyond academia.  Researchers are encouraged to engage with our Researcher Development Centre (RDC) upon commencing employment – see HERE for further information.

Further information on research and working at University of Galway is available on Research at University of Galway

For information on moving to Ireland please see www.euraxess.ie

Further information about Insight and the Data Science Institute is available at https://www.insight-centre.org/ and https://www.universityofgalway.ie/dsi.

Informal enquiries concerning the post may be made to:

• Dr James McDermott mcdermott@universityofgalway.ie and
• Dr Eoghan Clifford clifford@universityofgalway.ie.

To Apply:

Applications to include a covering letter, CV, and the contact details of three referees should be sent, via e-mail (in word or PDF only) to Dr James McDermott james.mcdermott@universityofgalway.ie.

Please put reference number University of Galway 239-23 in subject line of e-mail application.

Closing date for receipt of applications is 5.00 pm (Irish Time) 6^th October 2023

We reserve the right to re-advertise or extend the closing date for this post.

University of Galway is an equal opportunities employer.

All positions are recruited in line with Open, Transparent, Merit (OTM) and Competency based recruitment