Research Assistant: SUSTAIN Digital Modelling and Blockchain

Job Description

**Salary: 30,497 - 34,304 per annum Location: Bay Campus**Contract: Fixed-term contract until 30/04/2024Applications are invited for a Fixed Term Research Assistant in advanced digital modelling and blockchain for the realisation of Industry 4.0 capabilities within the steel supply chain.The new research assistant will join Professor Beckmann?s research group at Swansea University in the Department of Computer Science. The successful candidate will be responsible to conduct genuine research and innovation in distributed ledger technology (blockchain) and aspects of modelling computing systems, model driven software development, knowledge engineering, ontologies, or formal methods, in the context of Steel Manufacturing. This post is linked to a team of researchers that work on the EPSRC funded Future Manufacturing Hub project SUSTAIN (). SUSTAIN is an exciting collaborative project between the Universities of Swansea, Warwick and Sheffield working with the UK steel industry. This project will link to SUSTAIN?s UK Digital Steel Innovation Hub (), supporting both grand challenges in the SUSTAIN Hub of ?Zero Waste, Carbon Neutral Iron- and Steelmaking? and ?Smart Steel Processing?. It will benefit from the recently awarded Materials Made Smarter Research Centre as part of Made Smarter Innovation () through Swansea?s involvement. It will also link to Swansea Blockchain Lab () to explore the use of distributed ledger technology in the context of steel supply chains. UK Computer Science is very strong in global terms and is a magnet for outstanding staff and students. TheComputer Science Department at Swansea Universityis highly ranked for both teaching and research: The Times Good University Guide 2019 placed it 7th in the UK and 1st in Wales; the Guardian University Guide 2019 placed it 22nd in the UK and 1st in Wales; the National Student Survey 2018 ranked it as 8th in the UK with 91% overall satisfaction, and 1st in Wales; and in the Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2014 it was ranked 18th in the UK and 1st in Wales. Computer Science has embarked on a 31M programme of work ? the Computational Foundry ? to make Swansea a beacon for Computer Science, attracting and retaining world class researchers, building up a talented future workforce who will innovate, challenge, and disrupt. The Computational Foundry building comprises nearly 7,500 m2 of purpose-built Computer Science facilities on the recently opened 450M Bay Campus. It provides a purpose-built set of labs and innovation spaces as well as teaching laboratories and spaces. The Computational Foundry has been part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund through the Welsh Government and Swansea University.Main Purpose of Post- Conduct research in distributed ledger technology (DLT) and an area related to modelling computing systems, model driven software development, knowledge engineering, ontologies, or formal methods.- Be responsible for maintaining a working relationship to the SUSTAIN hub, in particular its UK Digital Steel Innovation Hub (DSIH).- Work with industrial partners from the steel sector as fitting to the objectives of this project.- Drive an agenda for applying DLT techniques and advanced modelling for the realisation of Industry 4.0 capabilities within the steel supply chain.- Pro-actively contribute to and conduct research, including gather, prepare and analyse data, generate original ideas and present results.- Prepare reports, draft patents and papers describing the results of the research, both confidential and for publication.- Be self-motivated, apply and use their initiative, aiming to determine suitable ways to tackle challenges and seeking guidance when needed- Interact positively and professionally with other collaborators and partners within the College and elsewhere in the University and beyond as appropriate such as in industry/commerce, public organisations and academia.- Contribute to Faculty organisational matters in order to help it run smoothly and to help raise its external research profile.- Keep informed of developments in the field in technical, specific and general terms and their wider implication for the discipline area, commercial applications and the knowledge economy.- When requested act as a representative or member of committees, using the opportunity to extend their own professional experience.- Demonstrate and evidence own professional development, identifying development needs with reference to the Vitae Researcher Development Framework, particularly with regard to probation, PDR and participation in training events.- Maintain and enhance links with the professional institutions and other related bodies- Observe best-practice protocols in maintenance and retention of research records as indicated by HEI and Research Councils records management guidance. This includes ensuring project log-book records are deposited with the University/Principal Investigator on completion of the work.Essential Criteria- A degree in Computer Science or related subjects.- Evidence of the ability to actively engage in and contribute to writing and publishing research papers, particularly for refereed journals.- A demonstrable ability to conduct research in line with the objectives of the project- Evidence of planning skills to contribute to the research project- Research background in distributed ledger technology (blockchain) and an area related to modelling computing systems, model driven software development, knowledge engineering, ontologies, or formal methods.- Willingness and ability to work with industry.- A commitment to continuous professional developmentInformal enquiries are welcome and should be directed to Professor Arnold BeckmannA.Beckmann@swansea.ac.uk.Shortlisting: 16/5/2022Interview: 24/5/2022The University is committed to supporting and promoting equality and diversity in all of its practices and activities. We aim to establish an inclusive environment and welcome diverse applications from the following protected characteristics: age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race (including colour, nationality, ethnic and national origin), religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation.

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