Research Fellow - 12 month fixed term contract appointment

We are seeking a Research Fellow to join the Department of Engineering at Birmingham City University, supporting the delivery of high-quality services across the University.

The successful candidate will contribute to the UKRI-funded SMART-SIP+ project, working as a data scientist or software-oriented researcher to help develop pathways to significantly reduce CO₂ emissions in rural Bangladesh. The project focuses on replacing diesel-powered irrigation pumps with solar-powered alternatives, while also using surplus solar energy to power or charge local equipment such as cold storage, post-harvest machinery and low-powered EVs.

You will work with diverse, high-impact datasets encompassing geospatial agricultural mapping, live climate data, energy demands, and socio-technical feasibility (PESTLE) to build an actionable Decision Support System (DSS).

You will lead the technical development of a lightweight, Python-centric, open-source DSS. This system must translate findings into a user-friendly tool tailored for two distinct audiences: local implementers (farmers/investors needing micro-level business cases) and policymakers (requiring macro-level scenario simulations).

For the farmer, cooperative or investor the interface needs to be highly localised, focusing on the specific site or project level — answering: What technology works for this farmer right here, how much will it cost, and what is the return?

For policymakers, government agencies, and large-scale planners, the primary goals are strategic resource allocation, agro-industry electrification, and socio-economic upliftment. This interface zooms out: policymakers need to see regional trends, systemic bottlenecks, and opportunities for large-scale interventions such as targeted subsidies.

Beyond software development, you will have the opportunity to leverage this multi-scale dataset to uncover new insights, shape academic discourse, and actively contribute to the project's publication output.

Key Responsibilities:

- Lead DSS & Spatial Software Development: Design, build, and deploy interactive web applications and mobile apps (e.g., using Streamlit or Dash) that integrate GIS mapping to visualise infrastructure, climate, and crop distribution.
- Scenario & Data Modelling: Translate techno-economic models (CAPEX/OPEX) into interactive Python logic and manage data pipelines, including API integration for live climate data.

Essential Requirements:

- BSc/BTech degree in Data Science, Geoinformatics, Computer Science, AI, or a closely related quantitative field.
- Strong proficiency in Python programming, specifically for building interactive data dashboards (e.g., Streamlit, Plotly Dash) and processing spatial data (e.g., GeoPandas).
- Demonstrated ability to translate complex data into accessible, user-friendly visualisations.

Desirable Requirements:

- MSc or PhD in Data Science, Geoinformatics, Computer Science, AI, or a closely related quantitative field.
- Familiarity with the Google Earth Engine API or processing heavy raster/remote sensing data.
- Understanding of techno-economic modelling, renewable energy systems, or agricultural supply chains.
- A track record (or clear potential) for authoring academic papers and contributing to research dissemination.
- Prior experience working on interdisciplinary or international development projects (particularly in South Asia).

Benefits:

- Work–life balance: Generous leave and hybrid working (role dependent).
- Career development: Opportunities to grow, develop and progress your career.
- Reward and wellbeing: Competitive pay, pension, wellbeing support and staff benefits.
- Inclusive culture: A supportive, diverse environment where everyone belongs.

This role may be eligible for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker visa route, subject to meeting the relevant criteria. The appointed candidate will be employed through BCU Support Services Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Birmingham City University, and will be automatically enrolled into the BCU Support Services Pension Scheme (BCUSS), subject to earnings and other eligibility criteria.

For existing Birmingham City University employees, this opportunity may be offered as a secondment, subject to agreement with your current line manager.