Job Description

Position Details

School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences

Location: University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham UK

Full time starting salary is normally in the range £36,636 to £46,049 with potential progression once in post to £48,822

Grade: 7

Full Time, Fixed Term contract up to September 2028

Closing date: 10th June 2026

UK and International Travel may be required for this role

Background

To create and contribute to the creation of knowledge by undertaking a specified range of activities within an established research programme and/or specific research project.

The Global Centre for Clean Energy and Equitable Transportation Solutions (CLEETS) is seeking a highly motivated researcher with a background in transport modelling and data analysis to join a successful and growing research team at the University of Birmingham. CLEETS is an international collaboration between leading universities in the UK and the USA, aimed at enabling a sustainable and equitable transition in energy and transport systems (see: https://www.cleets-global-center.org/). In the UK, the research is funded by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI). Within CLEETS, Dr Dilum Dissanayake leads the Travel Demand Management and Clean Energy and Connected Vehicle (CECV) Adoption task.

• Work within specified research grants and projects and contribute to writing bids
• Operate within area of specialism
• Analyse and interpret research findings and results
• Contribute to generating funding
• Contribute to licensing or spin out deals with demonstrated commercial success (such as revenues, asset or company sales, IP generated) and/or public understanding of the discipline or similar

The successful candidate will join a multidisciplinary research team based at the University of Birmingham and will work closely with collaborators at Cardiff University and partner institutions in the USA. The primary aim of this role is to advance understanding of the societal impacts of transport decarbonisation strategies and energy system transitions in urban regions in both the United States (Great Lakes) and the United Kingdom (South Wales and the West Midlands).
The postholder will undertake travel demand analysis using attitudinal and stated preference data collected by the CLEETS team, with a focus on examining transport users’ awareness of environmental impacts and how this influences their adoption of sustainable travel choices. The role will also involve close engagement with a wide range of stakeholders to understand policy priorities at both regional and national levels.

Main Duties

The responsibilities may include some but not all of the responsibilities outlined below.

• Develop research objectives and proposals for own or joint research, with assistance of a mentor if required
• Contribute to writing bids for research funding
• Analyse and interpret qualitative and quantitative data on travel attitudes and perceptions relating to electric mobility, autonomous mobility, and mobility hubs.
• Apply knowledge in a way which develops new intellectual understanding
• Disseminate research findings research seminars and conferences as well as writing research papers, book chapters and project reports
• Supervise students on research related work and provide guidance to PhD students where appropriate to the discipline
• Contribute to developing new models, techniques and methods
• Undertake management/administration arising from research
• Contribute to Departmental/School research-related activities and research-related administration
• Contribute to enterprise, business development and/or public engagement activities of manifest benefit to the College and the University, often under supervision of a project leader
• Collect research data; this may be through a variety of research methods, such as scientific experimentation, literature reviews, and questionnaire design (attitudinal surveys and stated preference surveys)
• Present research outputs, including drafting academic publications or parts thereof, for example at seminars and as posters
• Provide guidance, as required, to support staff and any students who may be assisting with the research
• Deal with problems that may affect the achievement of research objectives and deadlines
• Promotes equality and values diversity acting as a role model and fostering an inclusive working culture.

Person Specification

• First degree in area of specialism and normally, a higher degree relevant to research area or equivalent qualifications. This may include, but is not limited to, disciplines such as:
  • Transport Engineering
  • Transport Planning
  • Civil Engineering
  • Business studies
  • Behavioural sciences
• High level analytical capability in travel behaviour/demand analysis
• Ability to communicate complex information clearly
• Fluency in relevant models, techniques or methods and ability to contribute to developing new ones
• Ability to assess resource requirements and use resources effectively
• Understanding of and ability to contribute to broader management/administration processes
• Contribute to the planning and organising of the research programme and/or specific research project
• Co-ordinate own work with others to avoid conflict or duplication of effort
• Knowledge of the protected characteristics of the Equality Act 2010, and how to actively ensure in day to day activity in own area that those with protected characteristics are treated equally and fairly

Informal enquiries to Dilum Dissanayake, email: d.dissanayake@bham.ac.uk

Use of AI in applications: We want to understand your genuine interest in the role and for the written elements of your application to accurately reflect your own communication style. Applications that rely too heavily on AI tools can appear generic and lack the detail we need to assess your skills and experience. Such applications will unlikely be progressed to interview.

We believe there is no such thing as a 'typical' member of University of Birmingham staff and that diversity in its many forms is a strength that underpins the exchange of ideas, innovation and debate at the heart of University life. We are committed to proactively addressing the barriers experienced by some groups in our community and are proud to hold Athena SWAN, Race Equality Charter and Disability Confident accreditations. We have an Equality Diversity and Inclusion Centre that focuses on continuously improving the University as a fair and inclusive place to work where everyone has the opportunity to succeed. We are also committed to sustainability, which is a key part of our strategy. You can find out more about our work to create a fairer university for everyoneon our website